2017 Zvonko Bogdan Cuvée No. 1, Serbia, Vojvodina, Subotica, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

According to the label, this is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% cabernet Franc, and 20% Frankova Blaufränkisch.  It has a label which has some resemblance to a whimsical Bordeaux label (if those even exist).  I liked this better than the 2016 Life Flows from the same winery and a similar blend.  Whether that was due to vintage variation or the use of better barrels, I am not experienced with these wines enough to  know.  It has a deep ruby color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight tobacco, cherries, spice and slight rhubarb.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with

NV Oszkár Maurer Kadarka, Serbia, Subotica, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

First, these grapes are supposedly (and I have no reason not to believe) from vines planted in 1880 and grown on their own roots in a very sandy soil near the Hungarian border with Serbia.  The label lists the alcohol at 11.4% abv and interestingly says it has an unlimited shelf life.  This is a "natural wine" according to the wineries web site.  It is pale ruby in color, very cloudy and flat.  On the nose, there is slight brett coming across as sweaty socks with some light but pure cherry fruit.  It is light bodied but has a nice depth and complexity on the palate.  Black cherry and cherry