SVIJET U ČAŠI & SUHI U ČAŠI & WINE STARS
BUYER’S GUIDE
AUGUST 2017
IN THE WINE THERE IS SUN, SOIL, VINE AND SWEAT, AUTHENTICITY AND BUSINESS, JOY AND PAIN, ANXIETY AND EBRIETY
SAMPLES ARE FROM THE MARKET
♣♣♣♣♣♣ –Champion – 99 – 100 (or: 19,9 – 20 / 4,9 – 5,0) pts = Brilliant! Impressive! Unique!
♣♣♣♣♣ –Great gold medal – 95 – 98 (19,5 – 19,8 / 4,5 – 4,8) = Excellent, with character, elegant, classic great wine.
♣♣♣♣ –Gold medal – 90 – 94 (18,6 – 19,4 / 4,0 – 4,4) = outstanding, multilayered, with high style and a big personality.
♣♣♣ –Silver medal – 85 – 89 (17,5 – 18,5 / 3,0 – 3,9) = very good and typical, complex, convincing, with chances to develop even more, for the exigent consumer.
♣♣ 80 – 84 (15,5 – 17,4 / 2,1 – 2,9) = variety recognisable, in a certain determinate style, solid, not exciting.
♣ 71 – 79 (11,0 – 15,4 / 1,1 – 2,0) = average, ordinary, with no virtues and no significant to strong flaws, still acceptable for everyday use.
under 71 ( 11,0 / 1,0) = low-average, best to avoid.
⇑- drink • ⇗ –drink or hold • ⇒ –hold • – recommended to drink with food.
Samples are taken from sources with adequate wine storage and expert staff, so inappropriate storage effects should be excluded. If a classic scent or taste is found on the cap (TCA), the sample is retasted from another bottle. A sample is immediately rejected if at least two thirds of the jury decides so. For a quality/price comparison the wine needs at least 85 points out of 100, or 17.5 points from 20, or 3 on a scale to 5.
Croatian Highlands
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (L) RHINE RIESLING 2016 – TOMAC
Plešivica
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Rhine Riesling
■ LABEL: quality with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Rhein – fits the wine: yes • CAP: cork – serious
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable from afar – simple – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is complex, substantial, with character, ripe, harmonious, elegant, fresh. Coherent with: terroir, typology, variety/goes well with food, but also for meditation. On the rise. Looks lively, clear, yellow-green. On the nose discreetly strong, but developed. Points to fruitiness, pronounced well (fruit: domestic/white), floral (flowers: white), slightly of wood which is well blended, kiss of butter. Rounded in the mouth, somewhat creamy, suggest savour, with quality trailing acids. Very good in body&structure, fresh and long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • large glass (Rhein) • 12°C
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) RAJNSKI RIZLING 2016 Laškovec – KORAK
Plešivica
■ VINEYARD: Laškovec • slope • variety: Rhine Riesling
■ CELLAR, ripening: 3.000 litre wooden barrel
■ LABEL: protected origin Plešivica • dry • 12,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal – fits the wine: yes • model, type: Rhein • CAP: DIAM (5)
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable – simple – two sections – readability: good
Wine is spruced up, harmonious, fresh, dynamic, coherent with terroir, typology, variety, harvest, age. Looks lively, clear, yellow-green. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/green – white; pits; citruses – fresh), floral (flowers: fresh white). Soft in the mouth, with good trailing acidity. In body and structure good, fresh ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • larger glass (Rhine) • 10-12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (L) SAUVIGNON 2016 – TOMAC
Plešivica
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Sauvignon Blanc
■ CELLAR: maturation: large barrel, on fine residue
■ LABEL: quality with controlled geographic origin • dry • 12,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ (3.000 litres) • bottle: heavy – overly massive for this type of wine • model, type: Bourgogne-Loire • CAP: cork – serious
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable from afar – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is complex, substantial, juicy, with character. Ripe, spruced up, harmonious, elegant, with plenty of life. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, age. Discrete on the nose, refined, developed enough to reveal variety. Points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/white; pits/pear; southern – exotic/citrus, kiwi, fresh), floral (flowers: fresh, white), vegetative – discreet/fig leaf, herbs, touch. Very well presented in the mouth, finely rounded, fresh. Suggest savour in a fine dose, riddled with quality trailing acids. Slender in body and structure, fresh and quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • larger glass (Bordeaux) • 10-12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) SAUVIGN0N 2016 Klemenka – KORAK
Plešivica
■ VINEYARD: Klemenka • slope • variety: Sauvignon Blanc
■ LABEL: protected origin Plešivica • dry • 12,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal – fits the wine: yes • CAP: DIAM (5)
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable – simple – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is lively, fresh, precise, recognisable variety, harmonious, not aggressive like many Sauvignons on the market. Coherent with variety. Easy to drink, by itself and with food, for the long run. Looks lively, green-yellow. Discrete but developed on the nose, points to fruitiness, expressed well, herbs. More intense in the mouth than on the nose, soft, with quality trailing acids. Good in body and structure, solid ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • larger glass (Bordeaux) • 10-12° C
♣ ♣ (♣) (M-L) VITEŠKO CRNO 2015 – LOVREC
Zagorje-Međimurje, Međimurje
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
■ LABEL: protected origin Međimurje • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal – fits the wine: yes • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent • label: neat – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is lively, warm, uncomplicated, goes well with food. Looks lively, clear. Discrete on the nose, herbal notes, spices – with measure, time in wood. Somewhat green tannins in the mouth, pronounced acidity, bitter, very good in body and structure.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
Sweet dessert wines
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (XL-XXL) G 2015 Graševina Selective Harvest of Dried Grapes – JAKOPIĆ
Zagorje-Međimurje
■ VINEYARD, slope • variety: Graševina
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • sweet • 12,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,50 ℓ • bottle: tall slender • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: attractive – simple – one section, around the bottle –readability: good
Wine is complex, substantial, serious, ripe, spruced up, harmonious, elegant, plenty of life. Coherent with terroir, typology, variety, age. Goes well with meditation. On the rise. Looks lively, clear, golden. Finely expressed on the nose, developed, points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/white, yellow; quince, apricot/boiled – nutty), floral (flowers: white), honey, touch of brioche, butter, noble mould. Rounded in the mouth, syrupy, sweet, with quality trailing acids. Very good in body and structure, sweet long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • smaller glass (for dessert wines) • 12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (XL-XX) PUŠIPŠEL 2015 Prestige Selective Havrest of Grapes – JAKOPIĆ
Međimurje
■ VINEYARD, variety: Moslavac
■ LABEL: protected origin Zagorje-Međimurje, superior with controlled geographic origin • sweet • 14,6 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,50 ℓ • bottle: normal – tall slender • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: neat • label: crowded – in two sections
Wine is complex, substantial, meaty, serious, strong, spruced up, harmonious, very warm, plenty of life. Coherent with typology. On the rise – in its prime (which can last). Looks lively, clear, golden. Discrete on the nose, points to fruitiness (fruit: domestic/white-yellow/pit; apricot/nutty), honey, butter, noble mould – touch. Rounded in the mouth, cream to syrupy, sweet, with good trailing acids. Potent in body and structure, long warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • smaller glass (for dessert wines) • 12-14° C
Dalmatia
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) KORLAT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 – VINARIJA BENKOVAC/BADEL 1962
Dalmatinska zagora, Benkovac-Stankovci
■ VINEYARD: Korlat • plateau – slope • altitude: around 300 m • soil: stone, karst • variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: modified– low, stocky, heavy • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: cork – serious – long
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: engraved glass – attractive – original – recognisable from afar – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is modern, serious, spruced up, harmonious, plenty of life. Coherent with terroir, however quite different than most Cabernet Sauvignons, expressive fruitiness. Ready for use, but can last. Looks lively, clear, ruby, dark – almost impenetrable. Moderately strong on the nose, points to minerality, fruitiness – pronounced well (fruit: domestic/red/pit; berry/sour cherry, blueberry, pomegranate…), spice – with measure, sense of wood – well blended. Rounded in the mouth, salty, with quality trailing acids. Very good in body and structure, fine sour and slightly bitter and quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (?) KORLAT SUPREME CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 – VINARIJA BENKOVAC/BADEL 1862
Dalmatinska zagora Benkovac-Stankovci
■ VINEYARD: Korlat • plateau – slope • altitude: around 300 m • soil: stone, karst • (micro) climate conditions: warm-hot during the day – cool nights • variety: Cabernet Sauvignon • significantly reduced yield compared to average • harvest: late – by hand – several times – in ideal moment
■ CELLAR, maturation: 2,5 years in new and used barrique
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: modified – low, stocky, heavy • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: cork – serious – long
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: engraved glass – attractive – original – recognisable from afar – in two sections – readability: good
■ The Supreme series is not meant for retail, but for select restaurants
Wine is concentrated, meaty, serious, warm. Coherent with terroir, age. Time in wood is prominent and consummation should be delayed, to give wine time to harmonise in the bottle and even develop additionally. Looks lively, clear, ruby with a nuance of granite. Moderately strong on the nose, points to spice – presented with measure, sense of wood, finely burned/smoke, mineral, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/red/pit; berry; strawberry), herbal, moderate. Rounded in the mouth, tannin: polished, salty, with god trailing acidity. Potent in body and structure, long, warming bitter ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • uncork bottle several hours before serving – decant • large glass (Bordeaux) • 18° C
Istria & Kvarner
♣ ♣ (M) MALVAZIJA ISTARSKA 2016 – AGRIS
■ VINEYARD, variety: Istrian Malvazija
■ LABEL: dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: tall – heavy • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: similar to DIAM
■ DESIGN: decent – neat
Wine is spruced up, harmonious, fresh, ready to use. Looks lively, clear, straw-yellow, very bright. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness, floral. Rounded in the mouth, salty, with good acidity Good in body and structure, solid fresh ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large • 10-12° C
Slavonia & Danube Region
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (M-L) GRAŠEVINA 2016 Mitrovac – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: Mitrovac • slight slope • variety: Graševina
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent • label: in two sections – front section in white and elegant – rear section in stronger red, disharmony
Wine is complex, substantial, juicy, with character. Serious, spruced up, harmonious, elegant, fresh, with plenty of life. Coherent with variety, harvest, age. Goes well with food, but also for meditation. Ready to use, but worth keeping, seems on the rise and with a chance to advance. Looks lively, clear, green-yellow, bright. Moderately strong on the nose, full, developed, refined. Points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/white; pit/apple – southern/citrus – fresh), floral. Rounded in the mouth, soft, full, taste is elegant and mildly spicy. Suggest savour, salty, with quality trailing acids. Very good in body and structure, fresh, long and variety characteristic fine bitter ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (pasta with white and gentle creamy sauces, white fish…) • large glass (Rhein) • 12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) GRAŠEVINA 2016 Podgorje – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: Podgorje • variety: Graševina
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED IN: 0,75 ℓ • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: triangle – recognisable from afar – two sections – readability: good
Wine is lively, fresh, ripe, recognisable variety, spruced up, juicy, likeable. Coherent with terroir, typology, variety, harvest, age. Goes well with food, but also in company. Looks green-yellow, clear. Well expressed scent, points to domestic white pit fruit, and floral, touch of herbs and minerality. Mouth follows scent, soft and rounded, suggests savour, with quality trailing acids. Good harmony of savour, acidity and alcohol. Very good in body and structure, fresh and quite long fine and bitter ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (shells and other seafood) • medium large glass (Rhein) • 10-12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (L) CHARDONNAY 2015 Rosenberg – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: Rosenberg • slope • variety: Chardonnay
■ CELLAR: special grape selection • maturation: barrique (225 ℓ)
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bourgogne • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: attractive – harmonious – two sections – readability: good
Wine is complex and likeable, ripe, spruced up, harmonious, plenty of life. For consumers who like wines matured in barrique and more pronounced spice notes. Coherent with terroir, typology, variety, harvest, age. Goes well with food, but also for meditation. Can be used now, no rush, wine could gain with more time in bottle. Looks lively, clear, straw-yellow. Moderately strong on the nose, developed, scent is salty, points to spices – presented with measure and very well blended, touch of butter, noble wood, finely burned/smoke, vanilla, fruitiness (fruit: domestic; white/pit; ripe). Rounded in the mouth, somewhat creamy, suggest savour, with quality trailing acids. Very good in body and structure, fresh and long ending, somewhat shorter than expected.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (grilled white fish, fish stew, grilled chicken, veal) • decant • large glass (Burgundy) • 12-14° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (M) PINOT SIVI 2016 – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Gris
■ CELLAR, vinification in stainless steel
■ LABEL: protected origin Slavonia • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent – elegant • label: neat – harmonious – in two sections – readability: good
Wine is complex, quite well spruced up, elegant, full, lively and fresh, warm, goes well with food. Could still be on the rise, no rush to consume it, capable of hold good form, even develop. Straw-yellow colour, crystal clear. Discrete on the nose, but full, refined, scent leading to ripe white and yellow fruit (nectarine, cantaloupe…), offers nuance of butter, and time in wood. Soft and rounded in the mouth, somewhat creamy, stronger savour, but excellent trailing acidity. Very good consistency, strong body, fresh finale as expected, but could be longer.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • larger glass (Burgundy) • 12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) SAUVIGNON 2016 Vidim – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: Vidim • slope • variety: Sauvignon Blanc
■ LABEL: protected origin Slavonia • dry • 12,5 % •
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent • label: neat – two sections – rear section strong green, so less harmony – readability: good
Wine has pronounced youthful charge, aromatic, fresh, dynamic, flaunting, likeable scent, casual, can be very good refreshment, especially in summertime. Coherent with variety, harvest. Ready to use. Looks lively, clear, green-yellow, bright. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness (fruit: domestic/vineyard peach – southern/citrus, grape – fresh), floral (note of elder), vegetable (tomato leaf) – moderate. Very lively in the mouth, well expressed strength, but somewhat raw acidity. Good in body and structure, fresh and medium long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 10° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M-L) PINOT CRNI 2016 – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Noir
■ CELLAR, maturation: wood
■ LABEL: protected origin Slavonia • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal – fits the wine: yes • model, type: Bourgogne • CAP: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent
Wine is complex, serious, harmonious, warm, quite lively. Coherent with terroir, typology, variety. Goes well with food. On the rise. Looks lively, clear, ruby, brighter, typical of Pinot Noir. Moderately strong on the nose, developed, points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/red/pit: strawberry), herbal – discrete, spices – expressed with measure, sense of fine burning, vanilla – kiss. Rounded in the mouth, tannin: lively – polished and salty, with quality trailing acids, bitter. Very good in body and structure, long warming bitter ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • decant • large glass (Burgundy) •16-18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) FRANKOVKA 2012 – BELJE
Baranja
■ VINEYARD: mild slope • variety: Frankovka
■ CELLAR: maceration for 14 days, stainless steel • maturation: 12 months in wooden barrels of 5.000 and 1,800 litres
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 14,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: stocky, heavy– fits the wine: yes • model, type: Bordeaux • CAP: cork
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable from afar
Wine is complex, spruced up, harmonious, warm, plenty of life. Coherent with typology. Goes well with food. In its prime (which can last). Looks lively, ruby-granite, dark. Moderately strong on the nose, developed. Points to fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic/red/pit; berry), touch of wood – kiss. Rounded in the mouth, soft, lively, with polished tannins, salty, quality trailing acidity. Very good in body and structure, quite long warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • larger glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
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