Buyer’s Guide: January 2018

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SVIJET U ČAŠI & SUHI U ČAŠI & WINE STARS

BUYER’S GUIDE

JANUARY 2018

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.

Retail prices for 0,75 ℓ: S = small (up to 35 kn; 5 €) • M = medium (36-75 kn; 5-10 €) • L = large (76-110 kn; 10-15 €) • XL = extra large (111-150 kn; 15-20 €) • XXL = extra extra large (151-220 kn; 20-30 €) • XXXL = extremely large (above 220 kn; 30 €)

Croatian Highlands

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) NATURA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 – (Viktor) DVANAJŠČAK-KOZOL
Zagorje-Međimurje
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Sauvignon Blanc
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 12,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Loire • cap: screw
■ DESIGN: decent • label: in two parts – clear, readability: good
Wine is complex, spruced up, harmonious, fresh and juvenile, goes well with food. On the rise – in its prime (which can last). Looks lively and clear, straw-yellow. Coherent with terroir, variety, typology and age. Moderately strong no the nose, points to minerality, well pronounced fruitiness (fruits: domestic/white; southern/citrus – fresh), floral (flowers: fresh/white), vegetative, herbal (grass), discrete. Sensation of brioche –butter. Savoury in the mouth, salty, with quality trailing acidity. Very good in body and structure, fresh, finely bitter and relatively long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (meals: fresh cheese, asparagus, white sauce pasta, seafood…) • medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M) PUŠIPEL 2016 classic – DVANAJŠČAK-KOZOL
Zagorje-Međimurje, Međimurje
■ VINEYARD, variety: Pušipel (Moslavac, Šipon, Furmint)
■ LABEL: protected origin Zagorje-Međimurje – quality with controlled geographic origin • dry • 12,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux – tall and slender • cap: à la DIAM but not DIAM
■ DESIGN: neat • label: regular – two sections – readability: good
Wine is spruced up, ripe, harmonious, elegant, fresh and refreshing, lovely, easy to drink. Ready for consummation – in its prime (which can last). Looks lively, clear, straw-yellow, greenish nuance. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, typology, age. Moderate on the nose – developed, points to fruitiness, well expressed (fruits: domestic/green; white/pit; berry; southern/citrus, touch; fresh), floral (flowers: fresh/white). Rounded in the mouth, lively, graceful, slightly savoury, with quality trailing acidity. Good in body and structure, slender, fresh and medium long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass (Rhine) • 10-12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) ŠKRLET 2016 Private Collection – TRDENIĆ
Moslavina
■ VINEYARD, variety: Škrlet
■ CELLAR: grape selection • maturation: on yeasts
■ LABEL: protected origin Moslavina – superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 12,2 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux – stocky – heavy • does not traditionally fit the wine • cap: à la DIAM
■ DESIGN: mostly elegant – cap ruins impression, colour is not coherent with label • label: very decent – black / all together overly pretentious for this type of wine
Wine is very lively, fresh, refreshing, has certain complexity, spruced up, harmonious, easy to drink, in its prime (which can last). Looks lively, greenish-yellowish, bright. Coherent with terroir, harvest, age. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness, well pronounced (fruits: domestic/white/pit; southern/citrus, kiss – fresh). Lively in the mouth, graceful, salty, with good trailing acidity. Good to very good in body and structure, fresh, bitter, medium long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass (Rhine) • 10-12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) PINOT BLANC 2015 Private Collection – TRDENIĆ
Moslavina
■ VINEYARD, variety: Pinot Blanc
■ CELLAR: grape selection • maturation: on yeasts
■ LABEL: protected origin Moslavina – superior • dry • 12,9 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • stocky and heavy – does not traditionally fit wine • cap: à la DIAM bot not DIAM
■ DESIGN: mostly elegant – cap ruins impression • label: very decent – simple
Wines is serious, spruced up, ripe, harmonious, warm, plenty of liveliness, ready for consummation, in its prime. Colour strong yellow to nearly gold. Moderately strong on the nose – somewhat developed. Points to fruitiness (fruits: domestic/white; yellow/pit; ripe – dried), sensation of wood – burned/smoke – vanilla touch. Rounded in the mouth, very good in body and structure, solid long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • larger glass • 12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M) CHARDONNAY 2016 – JAREC-KURE
Prigorje-Bilogora, Zelina
■ VINEYARD, variety: Chardonnay
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • tall and heavy – does not traditionally fit wine • cap: DIAM 3
■ DESIGN: neat
Wine has substance, is juicy, serious, warm, still juvenile, on the rise. Looks lively, greenish-yellowish. Coherent with terroir, variety, typology. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness, well pronounced (fruits: domestic/green; white/pit; fresh), vegetative, touch. Very lively in the mouth, with very good acidity, very good in body and structure. Fresh, bitter, long, warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • larger glass • 12° C

♣ ♣ (M) RHINE RIESLING 2016 – Željko KOS
Prigorje-Bilogora
■ VINEYARD, variety: Rhine Riesling
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • tall and slender • cap: à la DIAM
■ DESIGN: decent – neat
Wine is meaty, very warm, plenty of liveliness, uncomplicated. Looks lively and clear, greenish-yellowish, bright. Moderately strong on the nose, points to fruitiness, moderately pronounced (fruits: domestic/pit). Good acidity in the mouth, very good in body and structure.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • glass (Rhine) • 12° C

Dalmatia

♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (XL-XXL) POŠIP 2016 – KORTA KATARINA
Middle and south Dalmatia
■ VINEYARD: Korčula, Čara • variety: Pošip
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • normal – fits the wine • cap: cork – serious
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent – harmonious • label: recognisable – in two sections – readable, clear
Wine is complex, rich, with character, serious, ripe, robust, warm, with plenty liveliness, goes well with food and meditation. In its prime (which can last). Looks lively – clear, fuller yellow colour. Coherent with terroir, variety, typology, harvest, age. Moderately strong on the nose, developed. Points to fruitiness, well pronounced (fruits: domestic – more ripe – nutty), spice notes, with measure – well blended, bread crust sensation. Soft in the mouth, rounded, somewhat creamy, salty, with quality trailing acidity. Very good to potent in body and structure, fine bitter and long warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (meals: fish stew, white meats such as veal, chicken…) • large glass (Bordeaux) • 12-14° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (♣) (XL) STINA POŠIP 2016 – JAKO-VINO
Middle and south Dalmatia
■ VINEYARD, variety: Pošip
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: cork – serious
■ DESIGN: elegant – decent • label: in two sections – front completely white and without printed letters, rear with necessary data, readable, clear
Wine is complex, substantial, serious, spruced up, harmonious, dynamic, goes well with food, can last. Looks lively, greenish-yellowish. Coherent with harvest, typology, age. Moderately strong on the nose, developed, points to minerality, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/green; white; southern/citrus – fresh), floral – touch, salty, with quality trailing acidity. Very good in body and structure, fresh, quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (meals: clams, fish) • medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 12° C

♣ ♣ (S-M) GEGIĆ 2016 – OPG TIČIĆ
Pag
■ VINEYARD, variety: Gegić
■ LABEL: 12,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • see-through • cap: agglomerated
■ DESIGN: vintage design
Wine is slightly rough, in its prime. Looks foggy, straw-yellow. Discrete on the nose, points to fruitiness, floral. Salty in the mouth, good in body and structure.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 10-12° C

♣ (S-M) CABERNET SAUVIGNON & MERLOT 2015 – OPG TIČIĆ
Pag
■ VINEYARD, variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
■ LABEL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: agglomerate
■ DESIGN: vintage design
Wine is not quite clear, possibly due to the cap. Looks ruby-granite. Moderately strong on the nose, points to herbal, sensation of wood. Lively tannins in the mouth, salty, good to very good in body and structure, bitter, somewhat drying medium long ending.

Slavonia & Danube Region

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (M-L) GRAŠEVINA 2016 late harvest – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Graševina • approach in the vineyard: nature friendly
■ LABEL: protected origin • semi-dry • 14,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • normal – fits the wine • cap: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: very elegant • label: attractive – in two sections – readable, clear
■ QUALITY-PRICE RATIO: very good
Wine is complex, substantial, spruced up, ripe, harmonious, elegant, warm, dynamic, goes well with food (dessert) and with meditation. On the rise. Looks lively, clear, fuller yellow colour with greenish nuance. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, typology, age. Discrete on the nose, slowly opens and develops in the glass, points to fruitiness, well pronounced (fruit: domestic – southern/fig – nutty), floral, honey, sensation of noble mould, kiss. Soft in the mouth, rounded, creamy, sweet, but with salty threads, quality trailing acidity. Very good in body and structure, sweet, fresh, finely bitter, long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (meals: ripe hard cheeses, but also those with noble mould, cakes, especially nutty ones) ⇒ • medium large glass (Rhine) • 12-14° C

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (M-L) GRAŠEVINA 2016 Mitrovac – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Graševina • approach in the vineyard: nature friendly
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: DIAM 5
Wine is complex, substantial, ripe, harmonious, elegant, with plenty of liveliness, likeable, goes well with food and meditation, on the rise. Looks lively, clear, straw yellow – greenish nuance. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, typology, age. Discrete on the nose, gradually opens and develops. Points to minerality, fruitiness, expressed well (fruit: domestic – white/apple – fresh), floral (flowers: fresh/white), honey – touch, spices, sensation of butter – kiss. Soft in the mouth, rounded, somewhat creamy, savoury, salty, with quality trailing acidity, finely bitter. Very good in body and structure, pleasant bitter long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • large glass (Rhine) • 12-14° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M) GRAŠEVINA 2016 Podgorje – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Graševina • approach in the vineyard: nature friendly
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • normal • cap: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent – neat • label: classic, triangle – recognisable
Wine is spruced up, harmonious, fresh and with plenty liveliness, goes well with food, in its prime (which can last). Looks lively, clear, greenish-yellowish. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, age. Discrete on the nose, points to minerality, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/apple – fresh), floral. Rounded in the mouth, salty, with quality trailing acidity. Good to very good in body and structure, quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass (Rhine) • 10-12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M) GRAŠEVINA 2016 – BELJE
Baranja
■ VINEYARD, soil: loess • variety: Graševina
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • tall and heavy
■ DESIGN: neat
Wine is spruced up, harmonious, still, in its prime. Looks lively, straw yellow. Coherent with terroir, variety. Moderately strong no the nose, points to fruitiness (fruit: domestic/white; pit/apple), floral. Rounded in the mouth, salty, very good in body and structure, bitter, warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass • 12-14° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) ZELENAC KUTJEVO 2016 – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Zelenac (Rotgipfler) • approach in the vineyard: nature friendly
■ LABEL: protected origin • semi-dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: elegant • label: in two sections – readable, clear
Wine is interesting, quite aromatic, complex, juicy, with character, spruced up, harmonious, elegant, dynamic, on the rise – can last. Looks lively, clear, straw yellow. Coherent with terroir, variety, harvest, age. Moderately strong on the nose – developed, points to minerality, fruitiness, well expressed (fruit: domestic/white; pit; southern/citrus – fresh), floral, vegetative, herbal, spice (cinnamon – touch). Well rounded in the mouth, slightly creamy, spicy, savoury, salty, with quality trailing acidity. Good to very good in body and structure, fresh, quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • medium large glass (baloon) • 10-12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M) SAUVIGNON 2016 Vidim – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD, variety: Sauvignon Blanc
■ LABEL: protected Origin Slavonia • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: DIAM 3
■ DESIGN: decent • label: recognisable from afar – in two sections – readable, clear
Wine is juicy, spruced up, juvenile, fresh, dynamic, feels raw, could have been kept back a while longer. Looks lively, clear, straw yellow. Coherent with terroir, variety, typology. At first very intense on the nose, later becomes moderate, full, developed, lasting, points to vegetative (green paprika, tomato leaf…), mineral, spices (pepper), fruitiness (fruit: domestic/green; white; pit; fresh/apple, vineyard peach). Very lively in the mouth, salty, with good acidity. Very good in body and structure, fresh, quite long ending.
■ SERVING: medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 10-12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) TRAMINAC Principovac 2013 – ILOČKI PODRUMI
Srijem
■ VINEYARD, variety: Traminac
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • bottled on the estate • limited edition • semi-dry • 14,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ (5333 bottles) • bottle, model: special • cap: cork
■ DESIGN: elegant
Wine is complex, rich, meaty, serious, very warm, stronger ripeness, with mild tertiary bouquet. To consume with food but also with meditation, in its prime, passing the zenith. Looks golden. Coherent with variety, typology. Intense but still moderately strong on the nose, developed, points to honey, spices, caramel, coffee. Rounded in the mouth, creamy, sweet. Very good in body and structure, sweet, quite long warming ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • uncork bottle several hours before serving • 12-14° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (M-L) TRAMINAC 2016 – ILOČKI PODRUMI
Srijem
■ VINEYARD, variety: Traminac
■ LABEL: superior with controlled geographic origin • bottled on the estate • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • cap: cork
■ DESIGN: decent – neat
Wine is juicy, spruced up, ripe, harmonious, plenty of liveliness, likeable, drinkable, ready for consummation, in its prime which can last. Looks lively, clear, greenish-yellowish. Coherent with variety, harvest, typology, age. Moderately strong on the nose, points to floral, honey-touch, mineral, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/fig). Soft and rounded in the mouth, savoury, salty. Good to very good in body and structure, fresh, medium long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • medium large glass • 12° C

♣ ♣ ♣ (L) PINOT NOIR 2015 – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Noir • approach in the vineyard: nature friendly
■ LABEL: protected origin • dry • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bourgogne – fits the wine • cap: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: neat
Wine is in the serious domain, spruced up, plenty of liveliness, to be consumed with food. Looks lively, clear, ruby with granite note, bright. Coherent with harvest, age. Discrete on the nose, points to fruitiness (fruit: domestic/red), floral – touch, vegetative – discrete, spices with measure, sensation of wood – finely burned. Lively tannins in the mouth, salty. Very good in body and structure, fresh, bitter, long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • larger glass • 16-18° C

♣ ♣ ♣ SYRAH 2016 – KRAUTHAKER
Kutjevo
■ VINEYARD, variety: Syrah
■ LABEL: protected origin Slavonia • dry • 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle, model: Bordeaux • tall and slender • cap: DIAM 5
■ DESIGN: decent
Wine is meaty, warm, plenty of liveliness, robust, goes with food, in its prime which can last. Looks ruby with granite nuance, dark/opaque, with thick film on glass. Coherent with harvest, typology, age. Moderately strong on the nose, points to wood – finely burned, chocolate, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/red-blue/pit; berry), herbal – discrete. Rounded in the mouth, with lively, solid polished tannins. Aftertaste, hint of almond. Very good in body and structure, lively, quite long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • uncork several hours before serving • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C

For the original and more from Suhi u Čaši blog on wine, click here.

 

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