SVIJET U ČAŠI & SUHI U ČAŠI & WINE STARS
BUYER’S GUIDE
MAY/JUNE 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
♣ ♣ (M) SIVI PINOT 2016 – JAGUNIĆ
PLEŠIVICA-OKIĆ
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Gris
■ ALCOHOL: 12,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is pronounced, somewhat dull pink colour, slight strawberry on the nose, almost a touch of paprika, soft in the mouth, slightly flat. To be consumed quickly.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 10° C
♣ ♣ (M) RIZLING 2016 – BOLFAN
CROATIAN ZAGORJE, ZABOK, Hraščina
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Rhine Riesling • vineyard: ecological/organic – biodynamic
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is mineral, savoury, on the border of dry and semi-dry, tasty.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 10-12° C
♣ (M) RAJNSKI RIZLING 2016 – JAGUNIĆ
PLEŠIVICA
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Rhine Riesling
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is quite closed on the nose, slightly off in the taste, as if it is losing freshness, medium long body and bitter ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 8-10° C
♣ ♣ (XL) POGODI TKO SAM cuvée 2013 – BOLFAN
CROATIAN ZAGORJE, ZABOK, Hraščina
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Gris & Traminer • vineyard: ecological/organic – biodynamic
■ CELLAR, vinification: maceration and alcoholic fermentation for 6 days • no SO2 added • maturation: 12 months • barrel • in the bottle for 3 years
■ ALCOHOL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,50 ℓ
The wine is interesting, complex, full. Very pink colour with copper nuances, rose, orange peel and fig on the nose. Structure is very compact, body strong, tannins pinch, long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (stronger meat dishes) ⇒ • 14-16° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) CRNI PINOT 2016 – BOLFAN
CROATIAN ZAGORJE, ZABOK, Hraščina
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Pinot Noir • vineyard: ecological/organic – biodynamic
■ ALCOHOL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is complex, fruity-flowery (strawberry, sour cherry), soft, mineral, lively, still young, with a lovely future.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (with domestic poultry of dark meat, feathery venison of softer taste, such as pheasant) • 16° C
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (L) KARIZMA 2012 – PETRAČ
CROATIAN ZAGORJE, KRAPINA
■ VINEYARD: Hršak-breg • slope • variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 70 %, Merlot
■ ALCOHOL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bordeaux
The wine is lively and dynamic, complex, rich, harmonious, mineral, spicy and somewhat marked by chocolate which did not cover the fruitiness. Soft in the mouth, strong body, long finale.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
Sparklings
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) THREE STARS brut – JAGUNIĆ
PLEŠIVICA-OKIĆ
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Rhine Riesling (33 %), the rest from traditional varieties grown on Plešivica • harvest: 2015
■ SPARKLING, method: classic (champenoise, fermentation in bottle)
■ ALCOHOL: 12,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: champagne
The wine is clear, lively, fresh, merry, harmonious, long lasting in the mouth.
■ SERVING: ⇑ (aperitif, with clams, fish Carpaccio) • medium large glass (for sparkling) • 8-10° C
Dalmatia
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) POŠIP 2016 – BAČIĆ
KORČULA, BLATO
■ VINEYARD, variety: Pošip
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
The wine is clear, lively, complex, tasty, fruity (and tropical fruit), mineral. Long in the mouth, can be better.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • 10-12° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) CETINKA 2016 – BAČIĆ
KORČULA, BLATO
■ VINEYARD, variety: Cetinka
■ ALCOHOL: 11,5 %
The wine is lively and fresh, with a note of minerality, slender, but with fullness, salty, with a relatively long finale.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 8-10° C
♣ ♣ (M) LIVIA ZLATARICA 2016 – PROVIĆ
NERETVA, Opuzen
■ VINEYARD, variety: Zlatarica
■ ALCOHOL: 12,0 %
The wine is pleasant, soft, fruity-floral, salty, slightly bitter.
■ SERVING: ⇑ (fatty fresh water fish/eel) • 10° C
♣ ♣ (L) LUČICA 2015 – BIBICH
SKRADIN
■ VINEYARD: variety: Debit
■ ALCOHOL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is different, and should be viewed as such. Very complex, full, but the good raw material was overly burdened with the influence of the barrel. Quite strong body, long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • 12-14° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) OPOLO 2016 – BASTIJANA TOMIĆ
HVAR
■ VINEYARD: variety: Plavac Mali
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is clear, lively, fresh, somewhat strong pink colour, common for Opolo. Good body, quite long in the mouth.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • 14-16° C
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (XXL) TVOJA KRV i MOJA 2013 – G & J
NADIN
■ VINEYARD, variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
■ ALCOHOL: 14,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is excellent, rich, multi-layered, with elegance, dark colour, fruitiness mixes with spice notes of pepper and chocolate. Warm in the mouth, with a live tanning which is not rough – it needs more time, strong structure, long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (dark meats, sautéed) • large glass (Bordeaux) • 18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (XXL) MERLOT SANGREAL 2013 – BIBICH
SKRADIN
■ VINEYARD, variety: Merlot
■ ALCOHOL: 14,1 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is rich, complex, dark coloured, plenty of fruitiness but also notable influence of wood, well rounded and juicy, strong body, slightly bitter in the end.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (rump steak) • large glass (Bordeaux) • 18° C
Istria & Kvarner
♣ ♣ (♣) (M) MONTEROSSO MALVAZIJA 2016 – MONTEROSSO
UMAG, near the sea
■ VINEYARD, soil: red, crushed limestone • variety: Istrian Malvazija
■ LABEL&ALCOHOL: wine produced in Italy from grapes in our own vineyard in Croatia • 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal – tall, slender • model, type: Bordeaux • cap: agglomerated, modern, similar to DIAM
■ DESIGN: decent • label: neat – in two sections – readability: good
The wine is in a modern tone, fresh, full, spruced up, harmonious. Ready to use – in its prime (which can last). Looks lively, clear, straw-yellow, very bright. Moderately strong on the nose, points to minerality, fruitiness (fruit: domestic/white), floral, with a touch of vegetation (fig leaf). Rounded in the mouth, lively, suggests savour, salty, with good trailing acidity. In body & structure good to very good, with a fresh, medium long ending.
■ SERVING: ⇑ (poultry, white meats…) • medium large glass (Bordeaux) • 12° C
♣ ♣ (M) ALBA MALVAZIJA 2016 – MATOŠEVIĆ
WESTERN ISTRIA
■ VINEYARD, variety: Istrian Malvazija
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: tall, slender
The wine has a mineral note, very good body and quite long finale, however slightly straight and slow in the mouth, lacks freshness.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 10° C
♣ ♣ (M-L) MALVAZIJA 2016 – CORONICA
WESTERN ISTRIA
■ VINEYARD, variety: Istrian Malvazija
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal
The wine is uncomplicated, with a slight fruit aroma, past its prime.
■ SERVING: ⇑ • 8-10° C
Slavonia & Danube Region
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (L) MERCS 2015 – KRAUTHAKER
KUTJEVO
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
■ ALCOHOL: 14,0 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • bottle: normal • model, type: Bordeaux
The wine is layered, compact, mighty, warm, with a fine scent containing herbs, lavender, rounded, strong body, long ending with a bit of dryness. Needs more time in the bottle.
■ SERVING: ⇗ ⇒ • uncork bottle several hours before serving • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (L) VENJE CRNO 2006 late harvest – ENJINGI
KUTJEVO
■ VINEYARD: Venje • slope • variety: Zweigelt, Pinot Nero, Frankovka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot • vineyard: nature friendly, ecological/organic
■ LABEL&ALCOHOL: semi-dry • 14,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ
The wine is interesting, full, pleasant on the nose, with a scent of dried grapes, also harmonious in the mouth, very good play of unfermented sugars and acids.
■ SERVING: ⇑ (long sautéed dark meats; for meditation) • large glass • 16-18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (L) MERLOT 2013 – KRAUTHAKER
KUTJEVO
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Merlot
■ ALCOHOL: 13,5 %
■ BOTTLED in: 0,75 ℓ • model, type: Bordeaux
The wine is warm, mighty, complex, lively. Lovely dark ruby colour with a granate nuance, finely presented scent of dark fruits, spices, pine needles. Tannin is soft, but still dries the mouth in the end.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (for special occasion and better dishes) • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
♣ ♣ ♣ (M) FRANKOVKA 2015 boutique – PINKERT
BARANJA, Zmajevac
■ VINEYARD, variety: Frankovka
■ ALCOHOL: 13,0 %
The wine is clean, complex, has fruitiness, something vegetative, even spices, minerality, is juicy and savoury in the mouth, lively, soft, salty, lasting. Has potential for a longer life.
■ SERVING: ⇗ (grilled lamb) • 16-18° C
Sweet dessert wines
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ (L-XL) MERLOT 2012 late harvest – KRAUTHAKER
KUTJEVO
■ VINEYARD: slope • variety: Merlot • vineyard: nature friendly – ecological/organic
■ LABEL&ALCOHOL: semi-dry • 16,0 %
The wine is very good, full, dense, complex, lovely on the nose, with plenty of dry fruit. Rounded in the mouth, long finale, quite mild dryness.
■ SERVING: ⇗ • large glass (Bordeaux) • 16-18° C
WINE STARS CLUB 2017
Tasting in the Zagreb restaurant Dubravkin Put – The Wine Stars Club tasted and rated wines in the Zagreb restaurant Dubravkin Put. The jury included, with the permanent trio Vitomir Andrić, Ivo Kozarčanin and Željko Suhadolnik, sommeliers Tihomir Purišić and Jelena Šimić Valentić, form wine traders Tomislav Jurjević, and Ivan Dropuljić, director of the international festival of wine and cuisine Zagreb Vino.com. Wines were poured by Valentino Vojnović.
Wines for rating were provided by:
ACROBAT/SVIJET VINA, BORNSTEIN, FINES WINES, MIVA, ROTO DINAMIC, PUNI SEPET, PZ DROPI, VINOTRADE, VINO.hr, VIVAT FINA VINA, VRUTAK.
We sincerely thank Dubravkin Put for the hospitality and wine stores for the samples!
For the original and more from Suhi u Čaši blog on wine, click here.
