Croatian Wines

Croatian Wines

Lirica Plavac Mali	Red	2007	100% Plavac Mail	Peljesac Peninsula, Dalmatia	14.0%	Produced and bottled on Peljesac, north of Dubrovnik and just south of the controlled apellation of Dingac, Lirica delivers vibrant aromas of sun-ripened fruit, fresh cherries, cloves and cinnamon. Its high acidity and ample tannin make this earthy, rustic wine a good choice for burgers and steak.
Zlatan Crljenak	Red	2007	100% Crljenak (aka Zinfandel)	Makarska Riviera, Dalmatia	14.5%	This vibrant, extracted wine offers bright fruit, fresh cherries and plums on the nose. Great structure and personality! Full body, robust, yet youthful with inviting drinkability. Enjoy it with pasta with meat sauces, roasted and grilled red meats or aged parmeggiano.
Enjingi Zweigelt	Red	2006	100% Zweigelt	Kutjevo, Slavonia	13.9%	A red variety created in 1922 by crossing St. Laurent and Frankovka, Zweigelt is a vigorous vine and yield control is crucial to produce high-quality wine. Enjingi Late Harvest, yet DRY Zweigelt is ruby-red, with a beautiful palate of autumn fruit, currants, aromatic herbs and bayleaf.
Anton Riserva	Red	2004	50% Syrah, 25% Debejan, 25% Sansigot	Island of Krk, Northern Coast	14.5%	On the red soil of the inland plain near the medieval town of Vrbnik, Anton Katunar and his son produce perhaps the most highly regarded examples of Zlahtina, as well as Syrah-based reds. This blend of 50% Syrah and local Sansigot and Debejan, the Riserva is a medium-bodied wine of neutral oak, with round fruit supported by a healthy acid and tannin structure. The nose is sweet cherries and plums, sweet vanilla and spice. A wine for the lamb that is local to Krk, sausage or steak.
Anton Syrah	Red	2007	80% Syrah, 10% Debejan, 10% Sansigot	Island of Krk, Northern Coast	12.6%	This easygoing, pleasantly rustic, medium-bodied wine has bright berry fruit and was matured in large neutral oak barrels, perfect for a picnic or barbecue.
Zlatan Plavac Barrique	Red	2006	100% Plavac Mail	Island of Hvar, Dalmatia	14.5%	Zlatan Plavac is richly colored, with pronounced oak on the nose laid over plums, blueberries, and tobacco. Tannin is sweet and the body to medium-full, but the rich and lingering flavor of plavac mali grape is all here: ripe cherries, plums, dry tobacco, and balanced sweet oak. The wine is fantastic with mature cheeses, sausages or grilled meat.
Zlatan Plavac Grand Cru	Red	2006	100% Plavac Mail	Island of Hvar, Dalmatia	15.0%	The self-proclaimed Grand Cru is produced from the premium juice of more than fifty-year-old Plavac Mali vines, and aged for 18 months in new barriques. It is one of the highest quality examples of Plavac Mali available in Croatia, and produced in limited quantities. This big, inky wine offers incredibly concentrated black cherry, plum, and blueberry fruit on the palate, along with earth and tobacco. The tannins are strong, oak is well integrated, excellent overall balance. This wine will develop nicely with age.
Bura Dingac Plavac Mali	Red	2006	100% Plavac Mail	Dingac, Dalmatia	13.7%	Located on the steep 45 degree Southern slopes of Peljesac Peninsula known for its big reds, Bura vineyards produce the most unique, delicious and prestigious wine to ever come out of the Dalmatian Coast. Bura Plavac Mali is an extravagant wine of high extract, with intense black fruit on the nose, along with pine and a note of dry hay. Ample acidity and tannin support the lush, creamy black fruit including figs and blueberry jam and earthy notes on the palate.
Ivo Skaramuca Dingac	Red	2006	100% Plavac Mail	Dingac, Dalmatia	14.0%	Dingac wine is made from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape variety grown in a very small and protected locality known as Dingac on the steep southern slopes of the Pelješac Penisula. Produced and bottled at the Ivo Skaramuca estate, this superbly balanced wine lingers pleasantly on the palate. Its captivating aroma, full-bodied flavor, subtle vanilla and wild cherry nuances will satisfy the most discerning wine lover.
Enjingi Grasevina	White	2006	100% Welschriesling	Kutjevo, Slavonia	14.0%	The traditional view that the Welschriesling grape is not used for premium wine is history! In Slavonia, wine makers - and Ivan Enjingi in particular - have shaped this grape into an elegant and sophisticated wine for the discerning palate. This late-harvest Grasevina is a silky-smooth dry wine, with a full body and a palate of warm autumn fruit. Grasevina is versatile with food. Try it with fatty fish such as salmon, poultry, pork, omelets and softer, funkier cheeses also!
Enjingi Riesling	White	2006	100% Rhein Riesling	Kutjevo, Slavonia	14.0%	German Riesling is a late-ripening grape, and grown well it is capable of producing complex wines that age. Enjingi Rhine Riesling is just that! This late-harvest wine offers concentrated fruit and honey flavors, petroleum and a touch of botrytis. The texture is silky, almost oily, and finishes with a musky earthiness.
Enjingi Venje	White	2003	Riesling, Traminac, Pinot Gris, Welschriesling and Sauvignon Blanc	Kutjevo, Slavonia	14.0%	A barrique-nurtured blend of Riesling, Traminac, Pinot Gris, Welschriesling and Sauvignon Blanc, Venje (1998) was selected by Decanter magazine as overall champion in the category “white blended wine under £10.” This unique, full-bodied wine has aromas of white fruit, joined by a slightly oily, mineral quality on the palate. The oak influence is very delicate, with only a touch of the oxidative flavor that is sought with barrique maturation. This sophisticated white is produced only in ideal years.
Kozlovic Malvasia	White	2009	100% Malvasia	Istria	13.0%	Gianfranco Kozlovic is the largest private producer of Malvasia in Istria, and a vocal advocate for quality. His vineyards dot the picturesque hillsides of northern Istria, where his modern winery is located. This straw-colored dry wine offers white peach, apple and almond on the nose. It is medium-bodied, unoaked, with fresh acidity and slight mineral and herb on the palate. Serve chilled with summer seafood or truffle pasta.
Kozlovic Muscat	White	2006	100% Yellow Muscat	Istria	12.0%	Made from the most noble Muscat variety, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, this fragrant nectar is a Kozlovic specialty. Its bright honeysuckle, orange-blossom aromas deliver generously on the palate, along with ripe pear and a medium-high acidity that enlivens the wine.
Katunar Zlahtina	White	2008	100% Zlahtina	Island of Krk, Northern Coast	12.0%	On the red soil of the inland plain near the medieval town of Vrbnik, Anton Katunar and his son produce perhaps the most highly regarded examples of Zlahtina. The floral and white fruit aromas of this refreshing, medium-bodied wine are joined by salty minerality on the palate, for a sophisticated touch that pairs well with fresh seafood prepared simply.
Zlahtina Select	White	2008	100% Zlahtina	Island of Krk, Northern Coast	12.5%	Made from the finest grapes, this wine shows its pedigree in its citrus and almond aromas with floral and creamy notes. High acidity yields to intense grapefruit and almond flavors spiced with lemon pith that show nice complexity and varietal character with a touch of Old World sensibility.
Marko Polo Posip	White	2007	100% Posip	Island of Korcula, Dalmatia	13.5%	Marko Polo is produced from the top 10% of the vineyard harvest and is matured in neutral barrels. The wine is well known as a unique indigenous wine showing varietal character and sense of place. A lovely deep lemon hue leads to citrus aromas on the nose, along with sweet pear and a hint of vanilla. The wine is dry, with medium acidity and full body. Marko Polo Posip is a classic pairing with the abundant seafood of the islands.
Zlatan Hvar	White	2007	50% Posip, 50% Marastina	Island of Hvar, Dalmatia	13.0%	A blend of two native white grapes, Zlatan Hvar is bright lemon in color, with a serious, concentrated nose of grapefruit zest, melon, pear and almonds. It is dry, with fairly high acidity and medium-full body. This "sunny" island white is a great food wine. Enjoy it with your catch of the day!