2016 Piližota Plavina, Croatia, Dalmatia, Sibenik, Wine Review

The grape in this one is Plavina which is a child of Tribidag (Zinfandel) and Verdeca. It grows in the coastal areas of Croatia. Ruby in color, mostly clear but a bit flat. The nose has cherries and a touch of barnyard. Medium bodied. Unfortunately, this has been infect with Brettanomyces which in this case gave it an earthy barnyard nose, but overwhelmed the palate. More of a plastic band-aid quality with a metallic finish. It seemed like there might be some nice cherry fruit underneath. Brett is an issue which can vary from wine to wine depending on how much the yeast has bloomed due to warmer temperatures. This one was problematic and for that reason, it seems unfair to score the wine.

Grade:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$20.00USD

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

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

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

2015 Saints Hills Plavac Mali Sv. Roko, Croatia, Dalmatia, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$58.00USD

This is 100% Plavac Mali from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Palvac Mali is a descendant of Zinfandel (as proven by DNA evidence). There is some resemblance but not completely. Among five tasters, this proved to be love it or hate it (well, no one really hated it but average at best for some). I really liked it. 13.5% abv according to the label. Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is peppery with black cherries.

2015 Grgić Vina Plavac Mali, Croatia, Croatia, Pelješac, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$28.00USD

From famed winemaker Mike Grgich's winery project in Croatia. Plavac Mali has been proven, thru DNA, to be a child of Zinfandel and another unknown grape. The resemblance is noticeable. This clocked in at 15.5% abv. It certainly drinks like an American styled Zinfandel. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is spicy with cherries, black cherries and an touch of mint. On the palate, this is sweet/ripe fruit - black cherries and raspberries. There is a touch of salinity and underlying char. It doesn't seem to have much acidity but drinks very easily. It is unclear wher

2016 Volarević Plavac Mali Syrtis Gold Edition, Croatia, Dalmatia, Komarma, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$53.00USD

This is 100% Plavac Mali which is a genetic child of Zinfandel. It clocks in at 15% abv, so perhaps that is not unexpected though it certainly is not a Zin. In a tasting of five Plavac Mali's, this was middle of the road in style between being a full throttle wine and a more old school style wine. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black pepper, and a bit of black raspberries. Also a slight bit of baking spice. On the palate, this is full bodied. Black raspberries and black cherry fruit. Firm tannins. A bit of pepperiness. Nice finish.

2017 Testament Babić, Croatia, Dalmatia, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

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

2016 Piližota Plavina, Croatia, Dalmatia, Sibenik, Wine Review

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