2015 Wine of Illyria Čitluk D.D. Trnjak, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wine Review

The Trnjak grape is planted in the Citluk vineyard to pollinate the Blatina grapes. It is also vinified on its own make this 100% Trnjak grape wine. I actually preferred the Trnjak wine. Ruby in color, with some slight browning but still bright. The nose is dusty with black cherries, and some black current. A touch of volatile acidity. On the palate, the black cherries come thru along with a touch of candied cherries and slight earthiness. Good acidity but under control. Nice finish. This drinks well now and should have a few more years, but that's just a guess. It will work well with fatty meats and hard cheeses.

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Vintage:

2015

2015 Wines of Illyria Blatina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

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Current Price:

$17.00USD

This is made from 100% Blatina grapes. Blatina is a female only grape that was pollinated with Trnjak grapes in the vineyard. Ruby in color, some browning at the edges. Still fairly bright. The nose is tight at first but opens to dust and black cherries. On the palate, this has bracing acidity. Notes of cranberries and slight rhubarb with some underlying minerality. Long finish. This wine begs for food and would work well with fatty meats and stews. No idea how it ages but it would seem this should be consumed sooner, maybe the next few years.

2016 Monastery Tvrdos Vranac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Trebinje, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$24.00USD

Made from the Vranac grape which is popular in the Balkans. The wine is made in a monastery that dates back to the 1500's. It is aged in large oak barrels. Purple in color, bright with a magenta rim. On the nose, there are cherries, a bit of dill, slight earthiness, some volatile acidity and an interesting note that, to me, comes across as Frito's Corn Chips. On the palate, this has tart cherry fruit. Plenty of depth and complexity. Turning more to black cherry at the finish. The acidity pushes the limits but is within bounds (for my tastes). This is a wine that begs for food; past

2019 Carski Vinogradi Žilavka Emporia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mostar, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$27.00USD

A very interesting native white varietal from Bosnia. 95% Žilavka, 5% Bena. First time trying either of these varieties. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose shows some slight bubbles but they are not detectable on tasting. Perhaps just some slight trapped CO2. The nose has a nice minerality along with some lemon notes. The grape is supposedly known for its acidity, but this particular bottle did not show a lot of that. If anything, a bit more crispness would have been nice. It is full bodied with a slightly oily (nice) texture. The minerality carries thru to the palate whi

2015 Wine of Illyria Čitluk D.D. Trnjak, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wine Review

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