BATIC 2005 ROSSO RESERVE, VIPAVSKA VALLEY, SLOVENIA
We came across this excellent red and decided to feature it despite the fact that the slick paper used on the labels became scuffed by the cardboard inserts in the boxes during shipping. The damage is cosmetic only; the wine inside the bottles is first rate.

The Batic family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Vipava Valley since 1592. Their winery lies on 18 hectares of land on the westernmost edge of Slovenia, 15 miles from the Italian border. Historically, the Vipava Valley has undergone continuous changes of authority. It was under the command of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Italy, Yugoslavia and now Slovenia, a member of the European Union. Father and son team Ivan and Miha Batiè farm organically, as their ancestors did. They have an almost spiritual dedication to land, vine, wine and local tradition.

In the best years Batic produces a Bordeaux Blend simply called Rosso. The 2005 vintage is only the third example of Rosso produced since 1997. This is a serious - almost voluptuous - cuvée of a selection of their very best Merlot (about 70%), Cabernet Franc (about 20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (about 10%) from their best situated and oldest vines. The wine displays aromas and flavors of both red and black fruits. It has good body and a long finish. Matured for more than 12 months in local Slovenian barrels, it will age gracefully for another decade or more. Although the wine is young and benefits from thirty or more minutes of air, it is so good that it’s hard to resist to drinking this now with lamb and beef dishes.

Black Stallion 2005 Semi-Sweet Red, Serbia
Black Stallion is made by the Coka Winery from a blend of several red grape varieties grown in the Banat Vineyards, Tisa Valley, Serbia. The wine has a black-red garnet color and sweet fruit on the nose. On the palate you find black plums and a hint of dried herbs. This red has a pleasant appetizer level of sweetness.

Citluk 2007 "Kameno" White
The Citluk Winery, located in the Mostar region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, makes this dry white from 90% Zilavka and 10% Bena. It is aromatic, crisp, minerally and a good choice to serve with fish or pasta with cream sauce.

CRNKO 2009 JARENINCAN WHITE, SLOVENIA The Crnko farm is located on the eastern side of Slovenia, north of Maribor and just south of the Austrian border. All the fruit is estate grown and comes from the family’s 6 hectares of mixed white varietals planted to the regions unique marl soils and sustainably farmed. The 2009 is 40% Riesling, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, and 30% Chardonnay. It has only 11% alcohol and is as drinkable as wine comes. Riesling dominates the aromatics offering juicy tangerine and quince notes to the silty minerality that Crnko wines often share. As a beverage it is thirst quenching and light on its feet with invigorating acidity that makes it difficult to set down. During the summers in the village of Jarenina, locals mix it with sparkling water and then proceed to consume it long into the night.

DINGAC 2005 DINGAC PELJESAC CROATIA
One of Croatia’s finest red wines produced from the best Plavac Mali fruit. No oak. Full-bodied with dark, rich flavors.

DINGAC 2007 PLAVAC DRY RED
Fruit forward with very good dark berry flavors; easy to drink. Product of Croatia.

FETEASCA NEAGRA 2008 SPECIAL RESERVE, ROMANIA
This medium-bodied red was made by the Blue Danube Winery in the Dealu Mare region of Romania from 100% Feteasca Neagra, an indigenous grape variety also known as Black Maiden. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of French and Romanian oak. It has a dark color with hints of bramble or forest on the nose; in the mouth you find really good fruit with flavors of black cherries/plums and a subtle minerality on the finish. Fruit forward enough to drink by itself, this red will also accompany meat dishes and casseroles.

GUERILA 06 PINELA SLOVENIA
VIPAVA VALLLEYY DRY WHITE

PLANTAZE VRANAC DRY RED PRO CORDE MONTENGRIN RESERVE
LAKE SKADAR VALLEY 12.5%

Vranac crmnicki or Vranac crnogorski, probably named after the black color of the grape, is the best known grape variety in Montenegro that requires a very dry climate, with a relatively low air humidity. Since the grapes very easily fall off the stems in rainy times and brief summer storms (not rare in Dalmatia in the second half of August, when it is ripening) a lot of the yield is lost, so many think that this variety does not deserve a place in Dalmatian winemaking. This is the variety that ripens in the so-called third period. In the vineyards of Montenegro it regularly accumulates a lot of sugar (from 20 to 25 percent), alcohol (from 12 to 13.5 vol. percent) and extract (between 25 and 30 g/l).

Today’s company “Plantaze” was previously called “Agrokombinat Trinaesti jul”, remembering the date of uprising in Montenegro. Today, this date is considered as the day of Montenegor’s statehood (but colored by traditional political divisions, even different views of this holiday). Otherwise, July 13 celebrates the start of the uprising against the fascists in Montenegro in 1941.

This is a red wine we highly recommend because of its great price to quality ratio. It has a dark red, almost impenetrable color with shades that go in the direction of purple. The fragrance is well expressed and reminds of the sunny southern climate and maturing in wooden barrels. Although it is obviously made without greater ambitions, it s a very correct wine that is well balanced and smooth, but it still lacks depth and complexity. The taste leaves a vegetal and spicy impression with the accentuated astringency that seems to missing a note of elegance. The finish is of solid length, it is warm and pleasantly bitter. It is best consumed now, preferably with food.
Best paired with: smoked ham, red meat dishes, barbecue, firm cheeses

TELIANI VALLEY 2007 TSOLIKOURI WHITE
This is a clean, dry white from the Lechkhumi appellation of the Republic of Georgia. 100% Tsolikouri (a varietal native to the Republic of Georgia), this crisp white displays citus peel aromas and lemon and pear flavors. Perfect with seafood.

TOHANER 03 FETEASCA NEAGRA
Château Musar was established in Lebanon in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, and the winery is presently run by his two sons, Serge and Ronald. The vineyards are located at an altitude of over 3,000 feet in the Bekaa Valley where the vines are sheltered by the surrounding mountains running parallel to the Mediterranean coast. Musar’s red wines are made from a blend of Cinsault, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Musar Cuvée is the second wine of Château Musar, meant to be drunk in its youth. The 2008 is composed of Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Tank fermented, the wine was not aged in oak. This red will match well with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine.