Tasting Notes: Crljenak (chirl-yen-ak): doesn't quite trip off the tongue, but let me translate for you: Zinfandel! This venerable variety spent centuries in its home of Croatia before trekking across first to Italy, where it became Primitivo, and then to California, where it became Zinfandel. If you want to surprise your Zinfandel loving relatives with a Christmas gift, then this wine is exactly what you are looking for. The wine expresses its Croatian terroir beautifully: a deep ox blood red with an impenetrable black center, it shows a complex perfume of plums, prunes, tarragon, cherry compote, and toasted oak. The palate starts with dried fruit: dates, sultanas, and prunes, then migrates to tones of roast beef, with butterscotch and caramel wrapping up. Medium to long finish. The tannins are still very present but they help to delineate the wine and prevent jammy notes. It can still get better but it's extremely tasty right now. Pair with roasted foods, hard cheeses. Drink now-2027 ish.
Price: $51.99 750 ml
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