2019 Fakin Teran, Croatia, Istria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

My first time trying this grape - Teran.  Teran is the most grown red grape in this part (Istrain peninsula) of Croatia.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherry and On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Straightforward, but refreshing.  Nice black and red raspberry fruit.  Clean.  Nice finish.  Easy to drink this one on its own, but it will work well with pasta, pizza or most meat or fowl dishes.  It would also work with spicy cuisine.  This is obviously young and already drinking well, so it probably should be consumed in the next three to five years (just a gu

2013 Piližota Babić Reserve, Croatia, Dalmatia, Sibenik, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is made from the Babić grape in Croatia.  At a recent tasting of Croatian wines the rusticity of this wine made it controversial.  I loved it!  purple at its core with a ruby edge, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has a lot of barnyard going on that will be hard for some people to get by.  The cause is Brettonmyces, which is a spoilage yeast.  Depending on how the yeast has bloomed in a particular bottle, some will show more (or less) signs of it.  There is also some cherry notes along with a crushed rock quality.  On the palate, the barnyard is not as in your face.  It is a delicio

2017 Testament Babić, Croatia, Dalmatia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

This is made from the Babić (pronounced BOB-itch) in Croatia.  The wine was fermented on its skin for ten days and then aged for six months in a mixture of American and French oak barrique.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, black cherries, slight dark chocolate along with a bit of white pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the boysenberries continue.  There is a nice underlying earthiness.  Clean with good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now.  It seems like it should be consumed in the next five to seven years, but that is just a guess.  I ha

2017 Clai Malvazija Istarska Baracija, Croatia, Hrvatska Istra, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is Malvasia variety that is unique to the Istrian Peninsula from Croatia.  These grapes are grown according to biodynamic principals.  The grapes are then allowed to soak with their skins on for seven to twenty days in large wooden barrels.  Fermentation is done thru indigenous yeasts.  The wines are then aged  in large oak barrels before being released.  A very interesting wine (and good, too!).  Deep golden in color, clear and bright.  And, yes, this is an orange or macerated wine although it doesn't appear that it is taken to the extremes of some.  Very clean.  The nose is nice with

2018 Ritoša Malvazija Istarska, Croatia, Hrvatska, Istra, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

From the Istrian peninsula in northwest Croatia.  This is 100% Malvasia Istarska which is a unique member of the Malvasia family.  The grapes are grown in red clay and limestone soils about 10 miles from the sea.  The wine see no oak.  It is fermented on its lees using stainless steel tanks.  Apparently, they ferment in four separate batches using four different strains of yeasts.  13% abv.  The wine is light in color with a coppery/silver/gold hue to it.  The nose is mild but persistent with minerals, slight limes, and slight fresh dill.  On the palate, this is light to medium bodied with

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