Croatia

This was not as good as a bottle about six months ago.  Not sure if it is fading or just bottle variation.  That said, it was still an interesting and very nice white.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with a bit of peach and some salinity.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, citrus and a touch of cinnamon.   Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It would go well with pasta with shrimp.  Drink up.  

The label calls this Malvazia but prior vintages refer to it as Malvazija.  Either way it seems to be a type of Malvasia native to the Istrian Penninsula in Croatia.  This wine is very tight and took some time to open.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some limes but is very reticent.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, sort of Gewurztraminer-ish, but also tight.  It is better with a bit of food and would be a nice wine with sea food.  Drink over the next year or two.  

A blend of Welschriesling, Riesling, Chardonnay, Furmint, and Pinot Blanc in a 1000 ml bottle.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with salinity and limes with a slight floral note.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate there are limes, pears and slight minerality.  Good finish.  This kept putting on weight over the first hour or two.  It is better with a bit of food.  Soft cheeses worked well.  Drink over the next year or two.  

This is made from 100% Graševina grapes in Croatia.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is mild but nice with ginger, and slight forest floor.  Light to medium bodied.  An accessible soft texture.  On the palate, the ginger comes thru with a slight minerality.  Moderate finish.  This took about an hour to open and then drinks easy.  Better with a bit of food.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

If you don't know the Posip grape, it is one you should check out.  The wine is medium gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peach, hay, wax and salinity.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly viscous.  Good acidity.  On the palate, nice minerality but also apricots and a slight fig note.  Long finish.  This is still young and should go another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this is food friendly and went well with a pasta with garlic aioli.  

Plavac Mali is an offspring of Zinfandel (confirmed by DNA testing).  It is one of the most important native grapes to Croatia.  Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with cherries, black cherries and slight black pepper.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry and black cherry fruit with some pepperiness.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with food.  Spicy tacos are a difficult match but would work well.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

This is drinking great right now.  Mature, but absolutely no hurry.  Decanted for sediment and served.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  No browning.  The nose is classic with cherries, cassis, tobacco, leather, slight funk and cigar box.  Full bodied.  Light but present tannins.  On the palate, lots of cherries, black cherries and cassis with earthiness and spice underneath.  Layers of complexity.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Contemplative.  Great on its own, this would work great with slow braised beef.  Based on this bottle, at least a decade left.  

A nice white from Bordeaux.  A blend of Sémillon 20%,  Sauvignon Blanc 40%, Sauvignon Gris 30%, and Muscadelle 10%.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice lemon streak with a Schist rock quality to it.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture.  Lemon fruit although there is a bit of a bitter quality especially on the finish.  Also a touch of lemon candy.  Drinking well now, but this probably should be consumed in the next year or so.  Nice on its own, it will work with lighter foods.