The year after the film was released, Merlot sales took a significant dip in the United States. It was hard to escape from the stigma around Merlot that the film created. Admittedly, even Matt was affected, he avoided the grape early in his wine drinking days.

There is a very ironic thing about the grape in the film. Miles, the main character, shows his disdain for Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the film. Miles’ most prized possession is a 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, a right bank Bordeaux blend made of… Merlot and Cabernet Franc!

Say Hello to Croatian Merlot

Merlot isn’t the most “sexy” wine grape. However, there is no question that it has the ability to make deep, rich, world-class wines. Two of the most expensive wines in the world, Chateau Petrus and the aforementioned Chateau Cheval Blanc, are Merlot-based wines.

Our main focus is indigenous varieties. Because of the nature of what we do, we see a lot of Merlot. As we trot around the unheralded corners of the wine world, it seems as if everybody tries their hand at growing and vinifying it. Admittedly, it becomes difficult to taste the endless swathes of these wines after a while.

Croatian Merlot is a breath of fresh air, it is grown in all four winegrowing areas of Croatia. Here we will focus on three: Istria, Dalmatia, and Slavonia. We have yet to taste a Merlot from the Uplands that got us really excited.

Istrian Merlot

The region that is touted as the best potential for the grape is Istria. In fact, British wine critic Oz Clarke said Istria might be the world’s second-best Merlot terroir after Bordeaux. The Istrian peninsula is surrounded by the moderating Adriatic sea and has proximity to the Slovenian and Dinaric Alps that bring down cool air.

Those climatic factors plus the mineral soil may be the reason. The Merlot from Istria is rich, plush, and low in alcohol. Istrian Merlot can be ripe and plush while still maintaining alcohol levels of 12.5%. More importantly, the wine still has enough earth flavors and a true sense of place along with the ripe fruit flavors.

Istria is number 8 on the map.

Dalmatian Merlot

Dalmatia is a magical place for grapes. There are so many unique grapes grown in small pockets of the entire region. Some grapes exist only in small corners of remote islands. That is what makes the place special, all the unique and odd sounding grapes. Who knew that Merlot coming from the region would taste so good.

Our two top Merlot-based wines are from Dalmatia. The climate in Dalmatia is true Mediterranean with very hot and dry summers. The Merlot-based wines we have tasted from the region are rich and dense. These wines also range from fruity & unpretentious to serious with many layers of depth.

Northern Dalmatia is where we have tasted the most exciting Merlot based wines. A few areas of note are around the village of Skradin, Benkovac, and the island of Pag. The Merlot here gets tons of sun and takes on more sour red fruit flavors which Matt really likes. The best way to describe the grape here is an imaginary mix of Merlot flavors from Languedoc (France) and Lebanon.

Slavonian Merlot

Slavonia the region (not the country Slovenia) is in the far eastern, continental part of Croatia. The Slavonian oak barrels and casks from this area are famous with winemakers around the world, especially in Italy. Most of the region is covered with the Graševina (Welschriesling) grape.

Known as a white wine region, their momentum for producing reds is picking up quickly. A well-esteemed Dalmatian producer even told us that, “We (Dalmatians) need to step up our game because the red wines from Slavonia will rival ours in a few years.” When we visited the region we tasted some good examples of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

It seems that most producers that make red wine choose Merlot. The wines here can taste lean and underripe sometimes. More often than not they seem a bit one-dimensional. There are some good examples however. The best Merlot wines we have tasted from this region tend to have more herbal and earthy notes compared to Dalmatia and Istria.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks for Croatian Merlot

All three regions are pumping out some excellent Merlot-based wines. The most exciting thing is the fact here is a difference between each of the regions. Here are some of our favorite examples of Croatian Merlot.

Istrian Merlot

• Roxanich, Merlot 2007

Find Roxanich wines at wineandmore.com

Roxanich is a natural producer that believe in wild yeasts, spontaneous fermentation, and long aging prior to release. This is a unique wine without a lot of terroir and aging notes, so it may not be for everyone but we really like it. The wine has flavors of leather, meat, dried plum, brown spice, vanilla, and tomato leaf – a lot going on here. The flavors are very big on the palate, the tannins are soft and the finish is extremely long. 

• Vina Laguna, Castello Festigia 2012

Find Vina Laguna wines at wineandmore.com

A blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage won a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the 2015 Decanter competition in London. The winery Vina Laguna is one of the largest in Croatia, pumping out 4.5 million liters of wine every year – all with estate-grown grapes. Their basic wines are very serviceable and widely available. Festigia is the name of their reserve line of wines.

This wine is very delicious and very well made. It is stuffed full of tobacco, chocolate, cedar, blackberry, plum, and white pepper. What we like about this wine is it is fruity without being over-the-top and without high alcohol. This is a delicious wine that is just plain nice to drink, with fine-grained tannins, and enough complexity to keep you engaged. 

• Collis, Cuvée 2014 

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from a brand new winery in Istria.  This wine is an impressive effort given the difficult and rainy vintage of 2014. This spends 18 months in oak and is rich with red fruit, caramel, and vanilla. The wine has beautiful texture with well-integrated wood flavors. Fan of Old World wine will be happy with this excellent effort. 

Dalmatian Merlot 

This is the 2013 but the labels for all the vintages are the same

• Boškinac, Cuvée 2007 

Find at wineandmore.com

A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for two years in French oak before release. This wine has a big-time reputation and we see why. We’ve also had the 2012 and 2013 vintages of this wine – both are excellent. This 2007 is on another level, we tasted this wine from a Jeroboam (3 liter – Double Magnum) bottle. It has amazing flavors of pencil lead, dried plum, dried cherry, and earth. The wine is rich and medium bodied with a long end palate, tangy acidity, and structure for days. 

• Bibich, Sangreal Merlot 2011

Find at wineandmore.com

We had a three and a half hour wine pairing lunch at Bibich and it was epic. During the magical afternoon, we tasted through his entire portfolio of wines. The top wines of Bibich are his Aleph and Bas de Bas. The Sangreal Merlot is no slouch, it is aged for 24 months in oak before bottling. This is dense, ripe, and slightly spicy. There are lots of dark plum, blackberry, and earth notes but the minerality is what makes this special. The Sangreal Merlot is a easy drinking and delicious wine.

• G & J Vina, Tvoja Krv i Moja 2012

Find at wineandmore.com

The words tvoja krv i moja translate to your blood and mine. It is the solo wine that comes from a French-trained couple. This wine from Northern Dalmatia is extremely difficult to find but the chase is worth it. The wine is rich and it has flavors of sour cherry at first. The sour cherry is immediately followed by a rush of black fruit, mint, and pencil lead. The long finish suggests that this couple knows what they are doing.

Slavonian Merlot 

• Bartolović, Merlot 2011

A wild card from a producer in Slavonia. Bartolović is the least heralded of the prior mentioned producers. This is inexpensive but extremely well made, mouth-watering, and delicious.This wine is extremely bright with a lot of sour cherry notes on the palate. There is also a touch of cedar, mineral, and clay notes present. The producer makes wines of real character, they are a hidden gem amongst Croatian wines. 

The finest selection of Croatian Merlot wines available at: 

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Related Articles

Decanter Article on Istria Quoting Oz Clark 

The post We Are Drinking F@#cking Croatian Merlot!! appeared first on Wine Travel.

In the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. There was so much to share about Dalmatia that we ended up shooting five episodes on the region. This is the fifth and final episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine In Brač & Hvar’.

The Croatian Wine Region of Slavonia

Most wine geeks have heard of Slavonia, but usually, they associate it with high-quality oak for barrels. Very few people are aware that Slavonia is a Croatian wine region. This continental region is located in the eastern reaches of Croatia.

In addition to wine, this region is home to the Croatian specialty Kulen. It is a pork sausage spiced with paprika. This dense meat is served sliced and makes a perfect pairing with the local wines.

Slavonia is a versatile region capable of producer red & white Croatian wines. One of the principle grape varieties is Graševina (commonly known as Welschriesling, Olaszrizling, Laški Riesling, Italian Riesling, etc) but red grapes like Merlot, Zweigelt, Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah also flourish here.

The best thing is that these wines represent some of the finest values in Croatian wine. Come explore the region with us in ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia’.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine Zagreb & Slavonia

(1:04) Come be a local with us in Zagreb. We will take you to the Trešnjevka Market for our favorite local snack from Burek Mira. After grabbing a snack, we’ll take you to our favorite coffee place in Zagreb Teneo Coffee.

(2:08) Joins us for dinner at Dubravkin Put. This is our favorite restaurant in Zagreb and the head sommelier Tihomir Purišić has assembled one of the finest wine lists in Croatia.

(5:28) Take a road trip with us to the Croatian wine region of Slavonia. This region was founded by the Cistercian Monks in the 13th century. They set up a wine cellar in Kutjevo that is still producing commercial wine.

(5:58) Meet Krunoslav Sontacchi, owner and winemaker at Sontacchi Winery. Together with his brother Antun, Krunoslav runs a winery and guesthouse in the center of Kutjevo. Sontacchi produces one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in Croatia in addition to an excellent Cabernet Franc.

(7:04) Have dinner and breakfast with us at Sontacchi Guesthouse. They cook excellent, honest food from sourced local ingredients.

(8:44) Meet Ivan Enjingi of Enjingi Winery, the first to privately bottle wine in Croatia. Mr. Enjingi put Croatia on the map by winning the Regional Trophy for Best White Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ivan won the award with his white wine named ‘Venje’. It continues to be an iconic Croatian white wine.

(10:25) Slavonia is a potentially great wine region but definitely has its obstacles. Learn more about Slavonia’s struggles here.

(10:44) Join us for a private tasting at Krauthaker Winery. Vlado Krauthaker is a Croatian wine pioneer. He is always experimenting and produces a wide range of white, orange, and red wines that always deliver high quality. A tasting at the cellar always turns out to be a huge event.

(12:24) Discover a few other high-quality producers in Slavonia including Kutjevo Cellars, Adžić, Feravino, Perak, and Orahovica.

(12:43) Come taste with us at Galić Winery. Local businessman Josip Galić just opened a modern, state-of-the-art cellar in the heart of Kutjevo. They produce quality wines that are widely available throughout Croatia. His latest sparkling wines made with the Champagne method are worth seeking out.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

The finest selection of Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

Updated: 20 April, 2021

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Zlatý Roh

One of our favorite wineries in central and eastern Europe is Slovak.

Located just outside Bratislava in the village of Devín, Zlatý Roh is a young winery with a bright future. These are minimal intervention Slovak wines. Their vineyards are located on the Danube and you can see Northern Burgenland (Austria) just across the river. Winemaker Filip Nagy works with organically farmed grapes and ferments the wines spontaneously with native yeasts.

We first visited the estate in 2018, during our second whirlwind tour through the Slovak wine regions. Filip immediately impressed us with his energy, focus, and vision. This is a small project now, just done out of a garage but the plans are to expand the vineyards and build a new winery. That’s all in the future, for now, these are some of the most exciting wines coming out of Slovakia. Get your hands on them if you can!

Wine Recommendations

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

• Zlatý Roh, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This is the first vintage of Zlatý Roh Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon. There are notes of blackberry, pine, graphite, and sour cherry notes. It’s all fruit at this point. Fresh and full in body with a touch of green notes on the finish. It’s young now and should round into form in a few years. For a natural red, this is very solid and should cellar well, possibly deserving an uptick in score. Score: 89/100

• Zlatý Roh, Blanc 2018

The Blanc is our favorite wine from Zlatý Roh every vintage. It’s a barrel-fermented blend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Notes of sweet peach, sliced apricots, grass, lime, and a touch of white pepper. This is a full-bodied, unfiltered, and unfined white. It’s slightly cloudy with a tangy finish, no tannins. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2018

The Zlatý Roh Pinot Noir is very old world in style, it’s more of an earthy, vegetal wine. Notes of soil, greens, fall leaves, and mushroom with strawberry. It really smells like a forest floor with a touch of forest berries. Silky smooth palate with concentration and a long finish. There is some grippy tannin. This has a future in the cellar, its made in the spirit of Burgundy. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Veltlínské Zelené 2018

Another brilliant white from Zlatý Roh is this Grüner Veltliner, which is golden in color. Notes of lime, basil, grass, and white pepper. It’s a full-bodied, unfiltered wine. It’s so ripe that you wouldn’t expect it to be from Slovakia. Bright, focused fruit and a peppery finish. Score: 90/100

New 2019 Vintage

Zlatý Roh changed up the labels with the 2019 vintage. The style remains the same but the wines are named after the vineyard of origin. This is another set of beautiful wines from this boutique Slovak producer. The Riesling and Pinot Noir really stood out to me in this set of wines.

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc is a bend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling aged in wood and amphora for 6 months. I have loved every vintage of this wine in the past. Notes of green guava, pineapple, grass, pine cone, and a kiss of oak. At this point, the nose is a little shy but the palate is where it comes to life. Plenty of explosive green and white-fleshed fruits upfront with crushed rocks on the backend. The texture is the key to this wine. There’s a lot of substance here and vibrant acidity. Long finish. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling 2019

This Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling is a beautiful, minimal intervention white. Notes of honey, white pepper, white pineapple, and green guava. On the palate, the fruit is crunchy and layered. There’s a vibrant spine of acidity that runs through the wine. The skins were in contact for 12 hours, which leaves a very faint trace of tannin. Gorgeous wine. Score: 92/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 is Grüner Veltliner fermented in cask and amphora and aged for 10 months. Flavors of baked apple, grass, white pepper, and passion fruit. The wine is a bit shy right now but there’s a lot of texture here. There is a small amount of tannins and limey acidity. With time in the bottle, this could very well deserve an uptick in score. Score: 89/100 

*Check out the 2020 fermenting in the video below

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’ Pinot Noir 2019

The Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2019 is partially fermented with whole clusters (50%) and aged in cask and amphora for 10 months. Delicious, earthy Pinot Noir. Notes of sour cherry, cranberry, fall leaves, pepper, and earth. It’s unmistakably Old World Pinot Noir on the nose. Silky smooth palate with soft tannins. There’s a spiciness on the finish that’s undeniably good. Put this in the cellar and watch it bloom. Score: 91+/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend aged in oak. This has considerable alcohol levels for how far north it is grown (14.3%). It shows more earth and cool climate characteristics. Notes of cherry, earth, tobacco, and fall leaves. On the palate, it’s silky smooth and some capsicum notes emerge. Chewy tannins. Don’t expect Bordeaux but do expect a delicious, complex red blend. Score: 89/100

You might also enjoy:

Exotic Wine Travel Slovak Wine Articles

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovak Wine With Style: Zlatý Roh appeared first on Wine Travel.

A noble wine waiting in the wings.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of the historic Tuscan wines. The first mention of the wines dates back to the 8th century and in the 16th century, Pope Paul III declared the wines of Montepulciano to be vino perfectissimo (perfect wine). In recent times, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has lost ground in the mind of the consumer to nearby appellations of Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico.

The Vino Nobile Style?

It’s no secret that I love Sangiovese, it’s the grape that sucked me into the world of wine. No matter how my palate has evolved throughout the years, my passion for Sangiovese has never waned. This carries over to Montepulciano.

Surrounding the village of Montepulciano, the region of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was one of the first regions to receive the title of DOC in the 1960s. It was promoted to the prestigious DOCG status in 1980, the same time as its neighbors Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Despite the history, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Vino Nobile for short) doesn’t carry the caché of the former.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a Sangiovese-based red and grapes such as Canniaolo, Colorino, Mammolo, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are permitted in the blend. The style of Vino Nobile has been described in between Brunello and Chianti Classico. To me, this is a bit of a generalization as Vino Nobile styles can vary tremendously based on the producer.

[ap_tagline_box tag_box_style=”ap-all-border-box”]

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at a Glance

• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is predominantly a Sangiovese-based wine in Tuscany. It’s not the same has Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
• The vineyards must be at 250-600 meters (820-1970 feet) in elevation.
• There are approximately 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres) eligble to become Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
• The local clone of Sangiovese is called Prugnolo Gentile and they must constitute at least 70% of the blend to be named Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. 
• The Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, counts 230 farmers and 76 estate producers.

[/ap_tagline_box]

The appellation provides the wine enthusiast with a range of choices. The wines of Vino Nobile run the gamut from fruit-driven to savory, medium-bodied & structured to full & fleshy. You can also find wines that are modern to rustic and everything in between. Is this be the downfall of Vino Nobile or a blessing?

With many ‘cookie cutter’ styles in the wine world, I find this to be refreshing. I’ve had Vino Nobiles that act very much like Brunello to those that more closely resemble Old World Pinot Noir. My hope is that producers continue to work on producing delicate Sangiovese that focuses on the sweet, sour, and savory components that make the grape so food-friendly. This can be done regardless of style.

The Future of Vino Nobile

What’s the future of Montepulciano? It seems that I’m not the only one who is bullish. Antonio Galloni of Vinous said it best, “If I had to bet on one region in Italy that really has the potential to explode onto the global stage the way Brunello, Barolo, Barbaresco, and Chianti Classico have, it would no doubt be Montepulciano.”

From my tastings over the last few months, it’s hard to argue with Antonio. Here’s a look at six different Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines from the fantastic 2016 vintage.

Wine Recommendations

• Fattoria del Cerro , Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Fattoria del Cerro is made from almost entirely Sangiovese. A gorgeous Tuscan nose of sweet & sour cherry, cedarwood, and smoke. This is juicy, delicious red wine. It’s not a massive red like the 14% abv would suggest, it’s one with more restraint. There is a generous amount of acidity here which allows for the tart red fruit to show through on the palate. Plenty of Italian nuances here. Open this up during a weekday evening with pizza or lasagne. Score: 89/100

• Tenuta Vallocaia – Bindella, ‘I Quadri’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

Tenuta Vallocaia – Bindella, ‘I Quadri’ is 100% Sangiovese. Out of the glass, it’s bright with rose petal, sour cherry, tobacco, and cedar notes. This hits my palate perfectly. It’s mostly tart red fruit upfront with the subtle earthy and tobacco notes coming in at the end. The juicy acidity keeps the wine light on its feet at first before the chewy tannins come on in the end. Long finish. This wine is built to last in the cellar. Score: 91+/100

• Tiberini, ‘Podere le Caggiole’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Tiberini, ‘Podere le Caggiole; is a single-vineyard wine made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Mammolo. This is a bigger Vino Nobile with notes of sour cherry, sour plum, violets, and chew tobacco. The wood comes on strong here but it’s a nice compliment to the other flavors. Full-bodied and round on the palate, it’s plush and on the fruity side. It feels so round and silky on the palate before the chewy tannins come in hard. This can last in the cellar. Score: 92/100

• Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta is mostly Sangiovese with some Canaiolo and Merlot. This is a savory, Old World red wine. Notes of leather, sour cherry, sweet cedar, and damp earth. This is a balanced, Old World red wine. There’s so much going on here, yet everything is put into place. It’s round on the palate and has a touch of rustic quality to it. The bright acidity stretches the finish. Balance is the keyword here. Score: 92+/100

• Carpineto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016

The Carpineto, Riserva is mostly Sangiovese with some Canaiolo in it. This is rich and ripe, almost Brunello in style. Notes of black cherry, sandalwood, smoked meat, and a touch of violets. It’s full in body, the biggest wine out of this set. The wood is integrated really well here. The wine is round and plush before the supple tannins add some grip on the backend. Serve this with grilled meat. Score: 90/100

• Valdipiatta, ‘Vigna d’Alfiero’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

The Valdipiatta, ‘Vigna d’Alfiero’ is 100% Sangiovese and only made in the best vintages. Notes of red cherry, tobacco, leather, pepper, and earth. It’s round and plush on the palate. I thought that it might be very fruity by the nose, but the fruit is restrained and held back a little. This is a red with savory nuances. Ripe tannins and a long, leathery finish. Score: 91/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Thanks to the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Taste of Tuscany: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appeared first on Wine Travel.

“What’s it like to work with such a big personality in the wine world?”

“She’s actually fantastic and listens to input and gives some flexibility in the cellar,” answered Ettore Rizzi. He’s a fiery ambitious man who is deeply involved with the production at Fattoria le Pupille. Ettore also happens to be the son of Elisabetta Geppetti.

Elisabetta is often credited for putting the DOCG Morellino di Scansano on the map. Her estate, Fattoria le Pupille produces around 500,000 bottles of wine in Southern Tuscany from 75 hectares of vineyards. Their range spans from a value-driven Morellino di Scansano all the way to their ambitious Super Tuscan known as ‘Saffredi’.

Her son Ettore is now working in the cellar and is crucial in the final blending and overall production.

Fattoria le Pupille

The first time I came across Fattoria le Pupille was during a small, intimate trade tasting in Belgrade, Serbia. Elisabetta Geppetti walked me through several of her wines including her staple Morellino di Scansano Riserva and classy Poggio Valente. The wines smelled of Tuscany and really spoke to me.

Fast forward a few years later and I found myself on a casual Zoom tasting with wine lovers and sommeliers from around the world. It just so happened that Ettore Rizzi was on the call too. I immediately appreciated his passion, understanding, and curiosity towards wine. After several calls, Ettore chose to send me the current releases from the estate.

Tasting through the latest vintages of Fattoria le Pupille was one good thing that came out of the dreaded year of 2020. The entry-level Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano offers tremendous value for money while the reserve wines can compete with the best of Tuscany. The biggest surprise for me is the new Poggio Argentato, a wine that breaks the stereotype that all Tuscan whites are boring.

Here’s a look at the latest vintages from Fattoria le Pupille.

• Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Argentato 2019

The Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Argentato is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Traminer, and Sémillon. Most of the wine is kept in stainless steel while part of the cuvée is aged in oak. Notes of white pear, honey, white peach, yogurt, and a touch of white flower. This is a white that is full of flavor and is fun to drink. The Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t dominate in the blend, which is a good thing. Score: 91/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano 2019

The Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano is mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Alicante Bouchet and Ciliegiolo. This is the backbone of the estate. This is a fun red with notes of sour cherry, strawberry, mineral, and a touch of tangerine-peel. It’s not just a boring, simple red – it has earthiness and complexity. The sour cherry notes dominate, which I love. There are some chewy tannins here along with the juicy acidity. For an inexpensive red, this could improve with some time in the bottle. Pick this up by the case! Score: 89/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2017

The Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva is mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon aged in large cask for 15 months. This just screams Tuscany in the glass. Brilliant nose of sour cherry, cedar, tobacco, earthy, and even a touch of capsicum. There is so much sweet and sour cherry fruit on the front palate that it engulfs your palate. Earth and tobacco nuances come around on the end and there’s a tangerine-peel acidity on the long finish. Tannins are chewy and this can be enjoyed right away but it should keep in the cellar in the medium term. Very good, warmer climate Sangiovese. Score: 93/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Valente 2018

The Fattoria le Pupille, Poggio Valente is 100% Sangiovese aged for 18 months in large casks. Very impressive Sangiovese from Maremma. Notes of dried cherry, raspberry, blueberry mint, and tobacco. Ripe and chewy on the palate, there is plenty of fruit here and it’s sweet red fruits. It’s a wine with plenty of structure, great oak integration, and just a touch of wildness. A ripe, concentrated, and structured Sangiovese with length and a spicy finish. This is a great Sangiovese that can stack up to the best of Brunello, Nobile, and Chianti Classico. Score: 94+/100

• Fattoria le Pupille, Saffredi 2018

The Fattoria le Pupille, Saffredi is an Italian icon and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It’s not big and rich, it’s got ripeness with some finesse. Notes of black cherry, black plum, hazelnut, sweet cedar, and a touch of earth. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. This is a baby now but should age into something spectacular. Fine-grained tannins.

This is just starting to hit the shelves now. If you pick it up, plan on cellaring it for another five to ten years. At that point, it should blossom and deserve a high uptick in the score. Score: 94/100

Fattoria le Pupille provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Fattoria le Pupille: More Than Morellino appeared first on Wine Travel.

Slovenia is a tiny country sandwiched between Austria and Italy. For a country with such a small stature (area-wise), it over-delivers in terms of wine quality. It has nearly 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) of land dedicated to vineyards, 70% of production is white wine.

This doesn’t mean you should sleep on Slovenian red wine. Thanks to the cool air from the Alps and the proximity to the Adriatic Sea, the growing conditions for wine grapes in Slovenia is excellent. These ideal conditions allow for world-class Slovenian red wine made from both international and regional grapes.

Slovenian Red Wine

Slovenia is divided into three main wine regions: Podravje and Posavje in the easy with Primorska (Primorje) in the west bordering Italy. These three regions are broken down into several sub-regions as you can see below. Of the three main wine regions, it’s Primorska in the west that’s home to most of the high-quality Slovenian red wine.

Primorska is divided further into the wine districts of Slovenska Istria, Kras, Vipava, and Goriška Brda. In Slovenska Istra and Kras (which is an extension of Italy’s Carso region), you’ll find reds made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, and Refošk. Vipava has much of the same in addition to Modri Pinot (Pinot Noir), Modra Frankinja (Blaufrankisch), and even Schiopettino. Goriška Brda is an extension of Italy’s Collio region. Goriška Brda (Brda for short) is heavily focused on the Bordeaux grapes in addition to scant traces of Pinot Noir.

Reds from the eastern regions of Posavje and Podravje are mostly made from Modra Frankinja, Zweigelt, and Modri Pinot. While these regions are mostly renowned for whites, there are several gorgeous Slovenian red wines being made with the quality increasing in every vintage. I’ve lately been impressed with several Modri Pinots coming out of Štajerska (district of Podravje) in addition to Modra Frankinja from Bela Krajina (district of Posavje).

World-Class Wine Quality

I’m convinced that Slovenian red wines are of world-class quality. In my past encounters, it was Bordeaux blends from Goriška Brda usually reigned supreme. It’s refreshing to see that things are changing. When it comes to red wines, Slovenia is no longer a one-trick pony.

The Pinot Noirs continue to improve and there are some impressive examples to be found. I would have liked to include more in this article but didn’t get the chance to taste a big range this year. If you are a Pinot lover, keep your eye on Slovenia.

My hope is that producers in the east continue to focus on Blaufränkisch, a variety that is underappreciated. While ‘Super Istrian’ blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk is a promising category in Slovenian Istra. There are excellent examples of this blend across the border in Croatia and there’s no reason that can be duplicated in Slovenia. The local red grape Refošk makes high-quality wines when done well. Still, too many examples have enamel-searing acidity and show a tad too much rusticity for most palates.

One of Slovenia’s top Sommeliers, Valentin Bufolin, has witnessed a noticeable improvement in Slovenian red wine over last few years. “We are located in two climatic zones, one warm and the other continental,” Valentin explains. “A lot has been done to understand better what terrain and climate can contribute and how appropriate clone selection can help.”

Valentin is bullish on the future of Slovenian red wine. “With the effects of global warming and technological development, new knowledge, clone selection, the introduction of new grape varieties, and identification of best plots, we will see more and more world-class reds from Slovenia.”

That’s great to hear but luckily for me (and the consumer), the future is now. Here are several impressive Slovenian red wines I tasted over the last year.

Slovenian Red Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian red wine at wineandmore.com

Slovene Istra (Primorska)

• Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot 2007

The Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot is an Old World-style of Pinot Noir aged in wood. This is a developed wine with notes of leather, tobacco, cherry, and a touch of mint. For a wine that’s nearly 13 years old, there is still a lot of vibrancy of the fruit. The cherry flavors and acidity are sharp and defined. The wine might be a tad too tannic for many Pinot Noir lovers but I really enjoy it. Score: 91/100

• Korenika & Moškon, Bis 2017

The Korenika & Moškon, Bis is a blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir aged in stainless steel. Many might disregard this lighter red but I absolutely adore it. Bursting with sweet & sour cherry fruit, graphite, tobacco, and a earth. The fruit is plush and mouth coating. The tannins are fine and smooth. A juicy, easy-going red with a hint of complexity. Get’s a slight uptick in score because of the drinkability and ‘delicious’ factor. Score: 90/100

• Zaro, Gran Morer 2016

The Zaro, Gran Morer is a ‘Super Istrian’ blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk (Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso). There’s a beautiful rustic quality to this nose with notes of black cherry, black raspberry, iron, meat, and black pepper. Full-bodied on the palate, with high acidity. This is listed at 16% ABV but handles the alcohol well. It’s unique, a little wild, and very enjoyable. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Refošk Ater 2015

The Ražman, Refošk Ater is a single-vineyard Refosco d’Istria (Terrano) aged in wood. It has a savage, Syrah-like nose. Notes of forest berry, rusty nail, iron, meat, and black pepper. It’s a juicy red at 12.5% alcohol. The acidity is high, so you will need some food to pair with this. It’s a tad rustic but fans of Italian reds should be right at home here. Chewy tannins. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Popetris 2015

The Ražman, Popetris is blend of Refosco d’Istria, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Gorgeous nose with a blend of sour cherry, black raspberry, chewing tobacco, smoke, and pepper. Full in body, there is so much complexity here. The fruit hits first on the palate before all of the complexities take over. This still tastes remarkable young for its vintage date. Peppery finish and fine tannins. Score: 91+/100

Goriška Brda (Primorska)

• Movia, Pinot Noir 2013

The Movia, Pinot Noir isn’t the bright, fruity Pinot Noir that you know. This is considerably darker and denser. Aged in wood for 48 months, there are notes of leather, chocolate, blackberry, dried rose petal, and fall leaves. For a wine that ages for a long time, there is a lot of bright acidity. Long, forest berry finish. Score: 91/100

• Movia, Veliko Rdeče 2011

The Movia, Veliko Rdeče is a blend of mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir aged for 72 months in barriques. This is a richer, riper version coming in at 13% ABV (the ones I’ve tasted in the past are 12-12.5%). Opens with a lot of red plum, black cherry, earth, incense, and pepper. Full-bodied and plush on the palate, it finishes with a charming graphite note. Big time tannins. It always ages well and this should be no exception. Score: 93+/100

• Edi Simčič, Duet Lex 2016

The Edi Simčič, Duet Lex is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Big and burly with a touch of rusticity, which I love. Some basalmic notes with sweet black cherry, tobacco, cedar, black raspberry, and some earthy notes. Full bodied, this tastes a little Central Italian to me. Ripe, chewy tannins and a long finish. I don’t think this is a wine that will go decades in the bottle but it sure is delicious now. Score: 92/100

• Jakončič, Carolina Select 2013

The Jakončič, Carolina Select is 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. It isn’t made every year. Notes of dried black cherry, cigar ash, cedar, and a touch of mocha. This is a real crowd-pleaser. The graphite notes from Merlot emerges on the palate. Full-bodied and chewy with ripe tannins. Long finish. This wine always ages gracefully and this vintage should be no different. It will be released next year and should be kept in the cellar for another five to ten years. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir 2016

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir is aged for 27 months in oak. This is a powerful, floral Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, raspberry, chalk, earth, and a touch of white pepper. This is gorgeous on the palate and has a good balance between fruit and savory flavors. It’s silky and round up front with ripe, firm tannins. This has the fruit, acidity, and structure to age beautifully. The tannins are very Burgundian. We believe that this is the best Pinot Noir made in Ex-Yugoslavia vintage after vintage. Score: 93+/100

• Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso 2014

The Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 48 months in oak. Notes of cherry, cassis, tobacco, earth, and mocha. Very complex nose. It’s a big wine on the palate with plenty of dark fruit. The concentration and quality is pretty darn good for such a tough and rainy vintage. The tannins are bitter and espresso-like. This wine shows that you can be big and full bodied without being overly fruity. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot 2015

Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in oak for a whopping 48 months. Dark purple in color. The nose is rich with notes of black cherry, red plum, graphite, violets, and just the right amount of toastiness from the wood. It isn’t a shy wine by any stretch, it’s rich on the palate and full-bodied with a generous amount of fruit. Nice floral and graphite notes on the finish that has bright acidity and big tannins. It’s gorgeous now and should age very well. Score: 93+/100

• Štekar, Merlot 2016

The Štekar, Merlot is pure Merlot that is aged for 11 months. It’s had some time to develop in the bottle. Don’t expect a big, brooding monster, but do expect a delicious red. Notes of tomato leaf, sour cherry, earth, and blood orange. This is silky smooth on the palate. It’s 15% alcohol but feels more like 12.5 or 13%. Fruity, earthy, and fun to drink with round tannins. My favorite red from this estate. Score: 90+/100

• Ronk, Selectus Red 2015

This is a Bordeaux blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for 36 months. Notes of tobacco, mocha, and graphite accompany the dried red fruit flavors. It’s more of a medium bodied red. I could do with a little less wood but the fruit here is beautiful and the acidity is very pleasant. Developed tannins stick to the palate and just call for stews and meat. This is a red that a lot of people will like. Score: 89/100

• Ronk, Merlot 2015

The Ronk, Merlot from old vines and only saw stainless steel (18 months) and bottle age before release. Pure and impressive nose of black cherry, red plum, graphite, and violets. It’s a red that isn’t round and creamy, there’s plenty of acidity here that makes it more angular. Many palates might be turned off by the sharpness of the wine but I am adoring it along with the chewy tannins. Lengthy finish. Because it doesn’t see oak, the wine is very affordable too. The Selectus Red is a more premium wine but I prefer the Ronk Merlot. Score: 90/100 

• Mulit, Rdeče 2018

The Mulit, Rdeče is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in oak for 21 months. Pretty nose with sour cherry, red plum, meat, tobacco, and oak. The wood is noticeable here but the fruit underneath is pretty enough to handle it. The palate is vibrant thanks to the citrusy acidity. This only has 9% Syrah in the blend but the grape really stands out here. It’s more of an elegant, medium-bodied red with some chewy tannins. This is delicious now but has the potential to develop in the bottle. Suprisingly good stuff. Score: 91/100

• Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ Merlot 2016

The Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ is 100% Merlot aged in wood for 24 months. The wood is laid down a bit heavy on the nose but the palate brings it back. Notes of plum, oak, tobacco, cherry, and pepper. Plush and round on the palate, this is a full-bodied Merlot that’s easy to drink. Chewy tannins and a sweetish, vanilla finish. I don’t love this wine here but the fruit underneath is good and the wood should integrate with time. Score: 88/100

• Patrick Simčič, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Patrick Simčič is a new guy on the block and his Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for three months and then in concrete. Notes of cherry, crushed violets, leather, and a touch of tobacco. Medium-bodied red that has some nice texture. The tannins here are well done, they are developed and refined. The tobacco-finish is the highlight of this non-fussy red. Score: 88/100

• Prinčič, Mihael Rdeče 2017

The Prinčič, Mihael Redeče is the premium red of the estate, it’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. This red has some rusticity to it but in a charming way. Notes of graphite, red cherry, tobacco, earth, and a touch of pepper. It’s a medium-bodied red that is more savory on the palate than fruity. Nice nuances here and you can feel the wood but it should integrate with time. This is my first time tasting this wine and I’d be interested to see how it ages. It may turn into something very fine with another 5-10 years in the cellar. Score: 90+/100

• Prinčič, Modri Pinot 2017

This is 100% Pinot Noir with a pretty nose of raspberry, earth, leather, and a touch of violets. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir. Silky and juicy on the palate with plenty of forest berry fruits. The wood is present here but it never takes away from the prettiness of the wine. This is a brilliant effort for the price point. The tannins are a little grippy and add some tug to the finish. I highly recommend this wine because of its great price point. Score: 90/100

Vipava (Primorska)

• Guerila, Amphora Extreme Red 2016

The Guerila, Amphora Extreme red is Barbera that saw six months of skin contact in amphora and another year of maturation in amphora. Notes of black cherry, hazelnut, dried cranberry, and smoked hickory. It’s surprising that this wine does not see would because I pick some up on the nose. The nose is very complex while the palate is more straightforward (this isn’t a knock). Pure red fruit flavors and pepper glide through the palate. There are some chewy tannins along with the high acidity that should keep this wine healthy in the cellar for many years. Score: 91+/100

• Guerila, Retro Red 2017

The Guerila, Retro Red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Barbera aged for two years in large cask. Gorgeous nose of red plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, and pepper. It smells of an old world wine with tradition. Rich on the palate with plenty of fruit, this has a touch of rusticity found in Italian reds. Plenty of fruit, plenty of acidity, and chewy tannins and a unique rusty nail quality on the finish. This is fun to drink now and should improve immensely with time in the cellar. Score: 91/100

• Cultus, Red 2017

The Cultus, Red is a blend of approximately half and half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dollop of Pinot Noir. It’s aged for 15-24 months in oak. A similar blend to the more famous Movia Veliko Rdeče. Out of the gate, this smells more like a cool climate red. Notes of cherry, red raspberry, bacon fat, and fall leaves come out here with a touch of perfume. Medium bodied on the palate, the wood comes on heavy at first but the fruit with time in the mouth. Juicy acidity and good tannin management. It would be interesting to hold onto this for another five years. On most occasions I would complain about the oak but for this wine, it just seems to work. Score: 90/100

• Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot 2016

The Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in French oak for 16 months. Its shows some bottle age along with notes of plum, black cherry, violets, and mocha. Full bodied and big on the palate. The wood is heavy on the nose but is well integrated on the palate. There is a core of dark fruit held together by some big time tannins. It’s a wine for big meats and winter food. This has the fruit and tannins to last at least another ten years in the cellar. Score: 92/100 

• Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir 2017

The Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir is a single vineyard Pinot Noir aged in wood for 16 months. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir with notes of cool raspberry, cherry, earth, and tobacco. It doesn’t have the perfume notes that I’d like to see from the grape though. Pretty mouthfeel with plenty of forest fruits. It has the acidity and structure to suggest it could improve even further with time. Score: 90/100

• Mlečnik, Merlot 2011

The Mlečnik, Merlot is 100% Merlot. It’s an old school red that’s aged for two years in wood and a long time in the bottle before release. This is the current vintage. Notes of dried rose petal, dried red plum, tobacco, tomato leaf, and graphite jump out of the glass. The nose smells like a developed wine but the palate is still very fruity. It’s not a big, round, fruity red. This is one with plenty of earthy tones and an angular feel thanks to the grippy tannins. This wine has a target audience, including me. Score: 92/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia 2017

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in wood. Notes of cherry, tobacco, mocha, and graphite. It’s more of a medium-bodied Bordeaux blend. Some might want a little more fruit here but the oak integration is still stellar. Tight with chewy tannins on the back end. This is delicious with food and should probably but on nice weight with bottle age. Score: 89/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Modri Pinot 2018

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Pinot Noir that spent 20 months in small and large oak barrels. Made in a very ‘New World’ style, this is bright and fruity on the first smell. Notes of cherry, raspberry, earth, and a touch of perfume. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruits. This wine is so close to being a home run, the wood just shows a little too much on the palate (which might not be a detractor for some). Regardless, with food this really shines thanks to the vibrant acidity. Score: 89/100

• Burja, Reddo 2018

The Burja, Reddo is a blend of Schiopettino, Blaufränkisch, and Refošk that’s aged in wood for 18 months. It’s a darker red with impressive notes of black cherry, black pepper, forest twigs, earth, and rusty nail. Full-bodied on the palate, it’s fruiter in the mouth than on the nose. There’s an attractive streak of citrusy acidity combined with dark chocolate on the finish. There’s a lot to like here and it should age well in the bottle. Score: 92/100 

Štajerska (Podravje)

• Vino Kupljen, Skywalker 2018

The Vino Kupljen, Skywalker is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Pinot Noir and Blaufränkisch aged in oak. It’s a fine cool weather red with notes of cherry, cedar, and a touch of forest floor. It’s not the most complex red in the world but it’s fun to drink. Medium-bodied with a moderate amount of alcohol and soft tannins. Score: 88/100

• Kobal, Blaufränkisch 2019

This is 100% Blaufrankisch aged in wood. This was just bottled when I tasted it. Full of dark cherry, black raspberry, capsicum, graphite, and purple flower. This is clean and precise. It’s a juicy red that isn’t complex but very fun to drink. This is the type of wine I want to have slightly chilled at a bistro. It’s unpretentious and fun to drink. Fans of Beaujolais will find a lot to like here. My score here might be a little higher than most on this but I’m biased towards this type of red. Score: 90/100

Bela Krajina (Posavje)

• Šuklje, Lodoma 2018

The Šuklje, Lodoma is 100% Blaufränkisch that is aged in used barriques. It’s an attractive Austrian style red with notes of blackberry, cherry licorice, crushed violets, and a touch of pepper. The palate is crisp, clean, and spicy on the finish. There’s plenty of forest fruits upfront and the spiciness and complexity come towards the end. The tannins are soft and plush. An excellent red to drink at lunch or before the heavy meats start coming out. Quite a surprise from this unknown region. Score: 90/100

• Šuklje, Vrbanjka 2018

The Šuklje, Vrbanjka is 100% Blaufränkisch aged in 500L barrels. Single vineyard wine. Notes of black cherry, strawberry, mocha, earth, meat, and pepper. The nose is of a pure cool-climate red. This is plush and has plenty of fruitiness to draw you in along with the complexity to keep you thinking. Chewy tannins on the backend, substantially more than the Lodoma. This is a wine that is fun now but should improve with some time in the cellar. Vibrant acidity. Score: 91/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

The finest selection of

Slovenian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Slovenian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Slovenian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovenian Red Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

There are a handful of Italian estates that are truly legendary. Many of them are located in Tuscany or Piedmont. But in Northern Italy, in an appellation that isn’t renowned for fine wines, Tenuta San Leonardo makes magic happen.

Tenuta San Leonardo

Located in Trentino, Italy the estate dates back to the 19th century but San Leonardo’s modern history began in 1974 – when the present owner Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga took over. The estate took on the late Giacomo Tachis as a consultant (creator of famous Italian wines like Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, and Saffredi) and in 1982 the first Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo was born.

While there have been ebbs and flows in wine styles and markets over the last few decades, San Leonardo is famous for never wavering. Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga never wanted to make big, fruity, blockbuster wines. This is seen in the current vintage of the flagship San Leonardo, which is a Bordeaux blend coming in at 13% alcohol by volume.

It’s a wine that has been on my list for a long time. In the world of fine wine, producers with this type of pedigree and track record usually come with a hefty price. That’s not the case with San Leonardo. Their flagship wine can be found worldwide for around 60 USD. Unfortunately, I just never got around to taste it, until now.

The secret recipe to the estate is Carménère. Which is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the flagship San Leonardo. All of the wines I tasted are not for those who want the big and bold. These are earthy Bordeaux blends with nuances you must pay attention to. They are built for aging in the cellar, some people accustomed to fruiter wines might even find the wines from San Leonardo to be austere.

While the flagship San Leonardo is outstanding, I was personally blown away by the latest vintage of Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre. It’s found around the world for around 15 USD and is something worth picking up by the case. Here are the latest releases from San Leonardo.

Tenuta San Leonardo Current Releases

• Tenuta San Leonardo, Vette 2019

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Vette is 100% Sauvignon Blanc that only saw stainless steel. It’s an unmistakable representative of the variety with notes of cut grass, kiwi, rockmelon, and green apple notes. It’s crispy and fresh with sharp acidity. After a few days of being opened, it really started to round into form, becoming fuller in body. Score: 90/100

*The 2018 vintage was awarded as Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2020.

Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre 2016

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre is the little brother to the flagship San Leonardo. It gives a preview of its big brother as it is released earlier. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carménère in a 60/40/10 proportion. Most of the cuvée is aged in concrete while 20% is aged in oak.

Generous nose of cherry, black raspberry, capsicum, and tobacco. This wine punches way past its price point. There’s nothing second class about this. The perfect balance of fruit, savory notes, while being firm and not overly big. Chewy tannins. A savory, earthy red, not a fruit bomb. Buy this by the case. Score: 91+/100

• Tenuta San Leonardo, Villa Gresti 2015

The Tenuta San Leonardo, Villa Gresti is a softer, right bank Bordeaux styled blend of Merlot and Carménère aged for 12 months in new French oak. Notes of chewing tobacco, black cherry, earth, graphite, and a kiss of oak. This isn’t a big, brooding monster. It’s classy and understated, yet still layered. The wine is more savory upfront and the acidity stretches out the palate. Refined, small-grained tannins guide the long finish – which is the highlight of this wine. Give this another ten years in the bottle to put on some weight and round out. Although this is a right bank blend, it tastes to me more like a left bank Bordeaux. Score: 92+/100

• Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo 2015

The Tenuta San Leonardo, San Leonardo is the legendary wine from this estate. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Merlot made only in the best vintages. This is earthy and smells like true Bordeaux. To me, it has all the qualities I want in a great Bordeaux blend. Notes of capsicum jump out of the glass first. The fruit includes mulberry, black cherry, and black raspberry. There’s plenty of tobacco and vibrant acidity here. It’s a medium-bodied, age-worthy wine that should do wonders in the cellar. Chewy tannins and a long finish, this is serious stuff. Score: 95/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

Tenuta San Leonardo provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post San Leonardo: A Northern Italian Wine Classic appeared first on Wine Travel.

Here’s an article that’s long overdue. It’s a recap of a weeklong sprint through Moldova back in 2019. It was one of my favorite memories of that year and gives me hope that travel opens up again this year. Here’s a journey through Moldova in 15 wines.

Moldovan Wine? Moldovan Wine!

Charine and I got the chance to experiences the wines of Moldova up close and personal in the Spring of 2019 – our expectations were shattered. During our one week sprint through Moldova, we tasted several hundred wines and personally visited over twenty cellars. After the trip, it was crystal clear that this small, dynamic wine-producing country has immense potential.

The landscapes of Moldova vary considerably from sweeping steppes in the east, forested hills in the center, to the vast Bugeac Plain in the south. Moldova is characterized by a moderate climate with short, cold winters and long summers. Thanks to the different landscapes coupled with a long growing season, wine grapes ripen slowly and retain their natural acidity.

When Moldova was part of the USSR, it produced most of the federation’s wine (along with Georgia). After independence, the main market for Moldovan wine was Russia. After Russia enforced embargos on Moldovan wine in 2006 and 2013, the country had to reinvent its wine industry (also similar to Georgia). For more on this, check out Charine’s in-depth article about Moldovan wine.

Making Comparisons

Traveling through the country, I couldn’t help but make parallels to another small country, North Macedonia. Both countries have small economies, with wine production being essential. Like Moldova, North Macedonia belonged to a bigger nation, producing a large majority of the wine – Yugoslavia. Moldova and North Macedonia also produce significant quantities of bulk wine and are attempting face-lifts of their wine industries.

Unlike North Macedonia, small producers are embraced in Moldova. These small producers add a little pizazz to the wine industry. I definitely felt this personal touch during the visit. While many of the large producers in Moldova create delicious (even great) wine, I felt that most of my favorite Moldovan wines were from small producers.

Moldovan wine is poised to make a big splash. With high quality and great prices to boot, it’s only a matter of time before these wines are embraced. I’m hoping to make it back there soon, the journey through Moldova was one of my favorite memories of 2019. Here’s that journey through Moldovan wine in 15 bottles.

15 Moldovan Wines to Try

• Minis Terrios, Negru Împărat 2016

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

One of the first Moldovan wines I ever tasted was the Minis Terrios Roșu Împărat, which is a blend of Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Charine and I first encountered the wine at the 2018 IWCB in Romania. Just a few months later, we encountered its big brother the Negru Împărat during our first evening in Moldova. This is a small producer that isn’t exported widely but is worth keeping your eye on.

The Minis Terrios Negru Împărat is a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French barriques for 12 months. It’s a rich, powerful red wine. This has tremendous potential to improve in the bottle. There are notes of black fruit, red fruit, capsicum, cedar, and pepper. The wine has a lot of wood but the fruit is ripe enough underneath. Elegant and powerful at the same time with fine tannins. Score: 91/100

• Carpe Diem, Bad Boys 2016

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Carpe Diem was the first modern wine bar in Chișinău, Moldova. It’s also a boutique wine producer. Proprietor, Ion Luca took over his family winery, breathing new life into it. We spent our first evening in Moldova at the Carpe Diem wine bar and they kindly opened their magnum opus, the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys. This vintage of Bad Boys won a “Best of Show” trophy at Mundus Vini and I can see why.

The Carpe Diem Bady Boys is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi aged in new oak. All we can say is, holy smokes this acts a lot like a Côte Rôtie. It’s big and bold without being overripe. There are notes of dark berry, bacon fat, incense, violets, and pepper. The wine is full and plush on the palate with round tannins. The long finish is guided by the right amount of acidity.

This is the finest red wine we had in Moldova. Score: 92/100

• Vinăria Nobilă, Fetească Neagră 2014

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

During that first evening in the Carpe Diem wine bar, our hosts opened up a few wines from the small producer Vinăria Nobilă. It’s a project headed up by Oleg Boboc, who happens to be the winemaker of Moldova’s famous Castel Mimi. We tasted his Cabernet Sauvignon and Fetească Neagră, both of which are outstanding.

Oleg Boboc founded this winery. Worked in California and Oregon before returning to Moldova. His vineyards are located in the Stefan Voda region. The annual production of Vinăria Nobilă is less than 10,000 bottles per year.

The Vinaria Nobila, Fetească Neagră spent two years in the barrel. It smells like an aged Bordeaux blend. There are notes of cherry, plum, cedar, pepper, and tobacco. It’s more medium-bodied on the palate despite the 15% abv. Soft and developed tannins. This might not have a lot of life left in the cellar but it’s delicious now. Score: 91/100

• ATÚ Viorica 2018

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Our first winery visit in Moldova was to ATÚ winery. It’s located on the outskirts of the capital, Chișinău. ATÚ is owned by a young couple that aims to bring fun and excitement to the world of wine. Their winery is colorful and located in an abandoned warehouse.

ATÚ launched its wine on the market in 2017. Positioned as the first Moldovan urban winery in Chisinau. They’ve made waves locally for their fun tasting room and beautiful labels.

The ATÚ, Viorica is a varietal wine. The grape Viorica is grown widely in Moldova, producing fresh, easy-going whites. The wine smells like a dry Muscat with yellow flower, white peach, and snap green pea flavors. The body is significant for a fresh white, while finishing clean and crisp. Score: 87/100

• Asconi Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Asconi Winery is a producer with plenty of foresight. They are located just outside Chișinău and the winery is complete with accommodation and two on-site restaurants. They produce a wide range of wines that go from casual and fruity, to complex and serious.

The Asconi, Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon has 180 g/L of residual sugar. It has an orange/salmon color. There are notes of strawberry jam, white pepper, and a touch of vine-ripened tomato. It’s rich and complex on the palate with energetic acidity. The finish has a tangerine peel note. A longer finish might push this even higher but it’s phenomenal ice wine for the price. It received a gold medal at Mundus Vini, Mondial du Rosé, and a silver medal at the Internationa Wine and Spirits Competition. Score: 89/100

• Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012 

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Castel Mimi is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Moldova. This castle is a sight to behold and is the largest private architectural restoration project in Moldova. My jaw dropped when I first entered the property.

Castel Mimi was founded in 1893 by the last governor of Bessarabia, Constantin Mimi, a notorious public figure and a remarkable winemaker. The original building with a series of underground galleries has been maintained until today. Castel Mimi was acquired and reopened in 2016 after a massive restoration.

The Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is aged 36 months in oak. It is the top dry wine of the estate. There are notes of chocolate, cedar, cherry, cassis, and tobacco. This wine has a zesty Italian-tanginess to it. The aging has rounded out the palate but a little more fruit would push this score even higher. Score: 90/100

• Cricova, Crisecco NV

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Cricova is a state-owned company and the largest producer of sparkling wine in Moldova. The sparklers from Cricova were well renowned throughout the Soviet empire. The cellars are a 20-minute drive from Chișinău, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. Cricova has over 600 hectares of vineyard in the central and southern parts of the country. Cricova wines are iconic among locals and the winery was declared by Moldova as a National Cultural Heritage.

When Moldova was part of the Soviet Union, it’s estimated that one out of every six bottles consumed in the USSR was from Cricova.

The Cricova, Crisseco NV is a Charmat method (think Prosecco) sparkler made with Fetească Albă and Muscat. It’s floral with notes of white pear, apple blossom, and lemon peel. This has lots of white fruit with a subtle sweetness on the finish. For a fresh sparkler, this is delicious and offers great value for money. Score: 87/100

• Château Vartely, ‘Invidio’ Saperavi 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Château Vartely, Taraboste Roșu was one of the first Moldovan wines that impressed me. I previously tasted a number of Château Vartely wines prior to visiting the country and none of them disappointed. During our visit to the cellar, Château Vartely opened a number of new wines including their ‘Individo’ Rară Neagră and Saperavi.

The Château Vartely, ‘Individo’ Saperavi is aged in the barrel for 12 months. Notes of wild berry, pepper, meat, and a touch of oak. Full-bodied, dark and inky like a Douro red. This has big time, chewy tannins. Put this away for another ten years. It’s another example that Saperavi’s second home may well be Moldova. Score: 90/100

*This is an impressive producer and we recommend their entire portfolio

• Mileștii Mici, Codru 2009 

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Mileștii Mici is famous for having the longest cellars and biggest wine collection in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). Riding through their tunnels in your own car is quite the experience. Mileștii Mici is a state-owned company and while their branding needs a little facelift, the wines speak for themselves. Their portfolio includes several aged labels, which will make fans of the ‘Old World’ happy.

The Mileștii Mici, Codru is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in oak for ten years. This was bottled in May 2019. There are notes of wax, leather, dried cherry, capsicum, and cedar. This is medium-bodied for a Bordeaux blend with lively acidity. The wine is surprisingly round and not tired, it has more life ahead of it. The grippy tannin and medium length make it a pleasure to drink. Score: 89/100

• Mihai Sava, Merlot Rosé Sec 2018

Mihai Sava resides in the tiny village of Costești. He consistently won awards for his wine in the local village competition and was encouraged to start bottling wine commercially. After a push from the locals and some funds from USAID, he started producing quality wines.

Mihai’s cellar is underneath his home and he welcomed us with a smile and a table full of homemade food. After lunch and the tasting, he took us along for his daily stroll through the nearby forest. He’s one of the most genuine winemakers that I’ve ever met. While I am not a patriotic person, it made me feel proud that funds from the USA helped give Mihai the resources he needs. He’s a man with vitality and passion, I look forward to seeing his progression.

The Mihai Sava Merlot Rosé has notes of strawberry, watermelon, and mineral water. This has a lot of fruit and is weighty on the palate. The finish is juicy and a tad spicy. There’s a touch of complexity here, it’s not just a poolside sipper. Score: 87/100

• Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră 2017

There are many producers in Moldova attempting to make the shift from bulk wine to high-quality bottled wine. It’s a difficult path but it’s one that Salcuta is willing to take. The winery is located in the south of Moldova, they produce clean wines that express the local varieties well.

The Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră is aged for nine months in French oak. It has soft notes of plum, baking spice, and pepper. The wine is juicy with a touch of oak and chewy tannins. For an inexpensive red wine, this offers a lot of character for an indigenous variety. This is exactly the type of wine that should be produced to introduce a new variety to consumers. Score: 88/100 

• Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Brut 2016

Château Purcari is one of Moldova’s historic wineries. It became privately owned in 2003, which gave the brand a shot in the arm. This is perhaps Moldova’s most famous winery abroad. They have resurrected the historical red wine appellations of Roșu de Purcari and Negru de Purcari. Both are good reds but I was more excited about their reserve sparkler.

We visited the estate and tasted through much of Château Purcari’s portfolio. Once we got back to the capital Chișinău, we visited their wine bar aptly named Purcari Wine Bar. There is where I got to taste the Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extru Brut.

The Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Bru is a méthode traditonelle sparkling wine. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc aged on the lees for 18 months. There are ripe tropical fruit, yogurt, and biscuit notes with fine bubbles. The fruit flavors are similar to a good Franciacorta (Italy). Score: 90/100

• Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Rhein Riesling 2016

Fautor is the most awarded winery in Moldova. Their wines have even caught the attention of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, which gave the Fautor, Fumé Blanc 2016 a score of 90 points. We didn’t get the chance to visit the estate but we did taste through their portfolio at the WineMD bar in Chișinău. Proprietor Ruxandra Lipcan ran us through the portfolio over an evening.

The Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling is an exciting white blend. Part of this cuvée was barrel fermented. There are notes of tropical fruit, yellow peach, lemon, and a perfect seasoning from the barrel. The wine has bite from the fruit and the addition of Riesling gives it mouthwatering acidity. It’s truly fine white wine. Score: 91/100

Fautor is the most awarded Moldovan winery and the quality is high across their entire portfolio.

• Gogu, Metafora 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

We were slated to visit Gogu but a schedule conflict came up at the last minute. All was not lost though, during the last evening of our trip, we managed to track down a bottle of their top red at the Château Purcari Wine Bar in Chișinău.

The Gogu Metafora red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Saperavi aged in oak for 16 months. It has notes of red berry, wild berry, pepper, and tobacco. It’s inky and dark like a Douro red. The wine is full-bodied with suave tannins and a tangerine peel-like finish. Score: 89/100

• Et Cetera, Serendipity 2015

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

We were so enamored with the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys that we had to track down this wine – which is made from the same grapes. Et Cetera also produces one of the best Merlots in the country. We didn’t get the chance to visit Et Cetera but there’s always next time.

The Et Cetera Serendipity is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi. There are notes of blackberry, pepper, meat, and mahogany. It’s full-bodied and rich with high acidity and fine-grained tannins. It’s not as complex as the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys but has a similar flavor profile. Score: 88/100

You Might Also Enjoy:

Article: Moldovan Wine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Drink It

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

We were on a press trip organized by the Moldova Competitiveness Project, funded by USAID and Sweden, in collaboration with Wine of Moldova. Our travel, meals, and accommodation were covered by the organizers. Cover photo courtesy of Wine of Moldova. However, please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post A Journey Through Moldova in 15 Wines appeared first on Wine Travel.

Over ten years ago, I had my first Greek wine, an Alpha Estate, ‘Hedgehog’ Xinomavro. It captivated my palate back then and started my Greek wine journey.

Greece has a long history of production, dating back to at least 2000 BC. In the 20th century, the wines weren’t well regarded. That has changed in modern times. I am too new in the wine industry to remember the age of underperforming Greek wine. Modern Greek producers are crafting wines of outstanding quality and Alpha Estate is one of the ringleaders. They are also wines that are readily available around the world.

Alpha Estate – A Greek Wine Star

This 180-hectare estate is located on a plateau in Macedonia, in the wine region Amyndaio. While Naoussa is the appellation in Greece that is most popular with Xinomavro, the high elevation of Amyndaio also produces fragrant, elegant examples. While Alpha Estate shines with Xinomavro, they do everything well. I’ve tasted their wines for years and have never come across a bad bottle.

Alpha Estate is the brainchild of vintner Makis Mavridis and winemaker Angelos Iatridis. I have noticed a slight change in their labels over the last few years, with a shift towards highlighting single-vineyard wines. Angelos prefers to use the term “Ecosystem” for the top range of wines. He feels it’s more all-encompassing than the word “terroir” – and it’s a Greek word. It’s a move that I applaud.

Whatever line you choose from Alpha Estate, you can buy with confidence. These wines are clean, well-made, express the varieties well, and are affordable. If you see a bottle of Alpha Estate on the shelf, don’t hesitate. Being able to recommend every wine in a producer’s portfolio is a rarity, which is the ultimate compliment to Alpha Estate.

Wine Recommendations:

• Alpha Estate, ‘Turtle Vineyard’ Malagouzia 2019

The Alpha Estate, ‘Turtle Vineyard’ Malagouzia is a single-vineyard white that saw only stainless steel. Straw color with an explosive nose. Hints of lychee, white flower, baked apple, white pepper, and a touch of flintiness. Almost like a subdued Gewürtz with some Riesling-like notes. Very complex for a fresh white wine. The palate matches the nose with intense, mouth-coating flavors. The acidity isn’t especially high but the wine is lovely. A very good example of the grape. Score: 90/100

• Alpha Estate, ‘Aghia Kiriaki’ Assyrtiko 2018

The Alpha Estate, ‘Ahia Kiriaki’ Assyrtiko is a gorgeous Assyrtiko grown at high elevation in Macedonia, Greece. The wine saw a few hours of skin contact. It’s got an intense and focused nose of lemon, white flower, white pear, and flint flavors. Intense on the palate with laser sharp focus and acidity. Persistent length for a fresh white with a limey finish. This goes exceptionally well with shellfish. Score: 91+/100

• Alpha Estate, ‘Hedgehog’ Rosé 2019

The Alpha Estate, ‘Hedgehog’ Rosé is a saignée rosé made from 100% Xinomavro. Notes of strawberry, watermelon, and Greek yogurt, with intense salinity. At first glance (or taste), this acts like another good to very good rosé styled after those from Southern France. The real beauty of this wine lies in the subtle tannins and mineral finish. The wine also has impressive length, making it more than a simple poolside sipper. This is the best rosé I tasted in 2020. Score: 91/100

• Alpha Estate, ‘Hedgehog’ Xinomavro 2017

The Alpha Estate, ‘Hedgehog’ Xinomavro is 100% Xinomavro aged in oak for 12 months. The nose has notes of cranberry, sour cherry, tomato leaf, tar, and a touch of clove. It really smells like a modern Nebbiolo. Silky mouthfeel upfront with some big tannins on the back end. This wine always delivers fantastic value for money and this vintage is no different. Thanks to the acidity and tannin, it should age beautifully but is accessible now, just make sure to have some spare meat. Score: 91/100

• Alpha Estate, S.M.X. 2017

This is 60% Syrah with the remainder being equal parts Merlot and Xinomavro aged in new oak for 18 months. The wood jumps out here but in a good, toasty way. Fruit flavors include blackberry, pepper, rare steak, violets, and dried cranberry. The Syrah really stands out on the nose. The palate is a lot less woody as the fruit jumps out. The nose is all Syrah while the Xinomavro stands out on the palate thanks to plenty of red fruit and tart acidity. Fine-grained tannins. Delicious now and with the ability to age well, this punches above its price point. Score: 92/100

• Alpha Estate, ‘Barba Yiannis Vielles Vignes’ Xinomavro Reserve 2016

The Alpha Estate, ‘Barba Yiannis Vielles Vignes’ Xinomavro Reserve is made from a patch of old-vine Xinomavro and aged for 24 months in wood. Very pretty smell with notes of cherry, cranberry, rose petal, and a touch of tobacco. The palate is layered and super complex. The red fruit comes bursting out of the gate but it followed up with earthy complexity and cedar on the backend. High acidity and small Nebbiolo-like tannins. Serious wine. Score: 93+/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Alpha Estate provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Alpha Estate: Greek Wine With Style appeared first on Wine Travel.

It’s no surprise that we love Italian wine, from all parts of the country. In recent years, I’ve traveled to some lesser-known parts of Italian wine country including Valle d’Aosta, Puglia, and Sardegna. However, outside of Montefalco Sagrantino, Umbria still remains a blind spot on my radar.

When Torre Bisenzio reached out to me, I jumped at the opportunity to taste their wines. This small estate is located on the northern reaches of Umbria, right on the border with Tuscany. The estate is home to beef cattle, vegetables, and olives. Torre Bisenzio is certified organic. The focus of this hilltop estate is agrotourism and have recently put a strong focus on wine quality.

This set of wines were a pleasant surprise. They aren’t big, rich blockbusters. Rather, they are wines with finesse and a high degree of drinkability all while retaining the character of Central Italian reds. In short, these are the types of wines that I want to sip with a good meal on a daily basis.

Once the time of COVID ends, I hope to visit the estate, sit on the balcony, and sip on some of these while taking in the Umbrian sun.

• Torre Bisenzio, Il Pugnalone 2016

The Torre Bisenzio, Il Pugnalone is half Sangiovese with the other half being Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in used wood. Lighter in color and coming in at a nice 13.5% ABV. There are pleasant notes of cherry, cedar, tobacco, some earthy tones, and even a touch of graphite. It’s very much a Central Italian wine. The wine has enough fruit but isn’t big and brooding. There are firm espresso-like tannins that beg for food. This wine isn’t a blockbuster but it is a delicious, red fruit-driven red that should excel with food. It’s also the style of wine that I like to drink. Score: 89/100

• Torre Bisenzio, Sangiovese 2015

One sniff of the Torre Bisenzio, Sangiovese takes me to Central Italy. This is pure Sangiovese aged for one year in a large cask. Brick red in color with some browning edges, this has a classic nose with notes of sour cherry, red raspberry, menthol, earth, and tobacco. It’s a very pretty, medium-weighted wine. There’s loads of fruit upfront with a slight austerity on the backend. Tannins are chewy and just beg for pasta and braised meats. Drink this up now. Score: 90/100

• Torre Bisenzio, ‘Ambris’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The Torre Bisenzio, ‘Ambris’ is Sauvignon Blanc fermented in 375L amphora (six months of skin contact), stainless steel, and barrel. The blend is 1/3 across. This has the nose of a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, not an orange wine. Notes of grapefruit, kiwi, grass, crushed rock, and a streak of basil. Flavorful on the palate, the fruit is mouth coating and there’s a fine balance between fruit, herbs, and spices. Starfruit-like acidity on the finish and fantastic barrel integration.

This wine also has that ‘it’ factor that kept me returning for glass after glass. Score: 92+/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

You Might Also Enjoy:

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Torre Bisenzio provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Torre Bisenzio appeared first on Wine Travel.