Zlatan
Crljenak Crljenak Katelanski
Croatia
Probably my husband's second-favorite wine we tasted in Croatia. For a Zin lover, this doesn't get much better. Again, all of the big and ripe fruits you'd expect, but it holds up better and feels more focused and less jammy than much of what we get out of California.
Probably my husband's second-favorite wine we tasted in Croatia. For a Zin lover, this doesn't get much better. Again, all of the big and ripe fruits you'd expect, but it holds up better and feels more focused and less jammy than much of what we get out of California.
Aug 6th, 2017RIP to the late Zlatan who passed a month ago.
Zlatan Otok is one of my favourite wineries in Croatia. I appreciate every single one of the wines that I've tried but that said, this Zlatan Otok 2010 Crljenak is my absolute fave.
In 2001 a research, funded by Mike Grgich of Judgement of Paris fame, on the origin of Zinfandel came to fruition. It confirmed that Zinfandel and Primitivo came from Croatia. Unfortunately at the point of discovery, the vines of Crljenak in Croatia was near extinction. Today, only a handful of Croatian wineries still produce this wine. As far as I've tried, the Zlatan Otok 2010 Crljenak is the best representation of this variety.
Notes: Colour is dark garnet with some clarity. On the nose, I get cboth red and black fruit, white and black pepper, slightly perfumey like amber and musk. The palate reflects exactly what's on the nose, carried off by vibrant acidity and prominent minerality. Tannins are slightly coarse but sweet, which means it should be aged in the bottle for a while longer but ready to be enjoyed now. What I love most is how it opens up and expresses itself on the palate like a triangle--from narrow and shy to wide and lively. This Crljenak has lighter body than most Californian Zinfandel.
The final conclusion: Yes please! It's slightly cheaper than Lytton Springs, and I'm getting more pleasure from this.
RIP to the late Zlatan who passed a month ago.
Zlatan Otok is one of my favourite wineries in Croatia. I appreciate every single one of the wines that I've tried but that said, this Zlatan Otok 2010 Crljenak is my absolute fave.
In 2001 a research, funded by Mike Grgich of Judgement of Paris fame, on the origin of Zinfandel came to fruition. It confirmed that Zinfandel and Primitivo came from Croatia. Unfortunately at the point of discovery, the vines of Crljenak in Croatia was near extinction. Today, only a handful of Croatian wineries still produce this wine. As far as I've tried, the Zlatan Otok 2010 Crljenak is the best representation of this variety.
Notes: Colour is dark garnet with some clarity. On the nose, I get cboth red and black fruit, white and black pepper, slightly perfumey like amber and musk. The palate reflects exactly what's on the nose, carried off by vibrant acidity and prominent minerality. Tannins are slightly coarse but sweet, which means it should be aged in the bottle for a while longer but ready to be enjoyed now. What I love most is how it opens up and expresses itself on the palate like a triangle--from narrow and shy to wide and lively. This Crljenak has lighter body than most Californian Zinfandel.
The final conclusion: Yes please! It's slightly cheaper than Lytton Springs, and I'm getting more pleasure from this.
zinfandel is primitivo is crljenak. cool stuff.
zinfandel is primitivo is crljenak. cool stuff.
Oct 3rd, 2014
Super balanced, had just a sip at a tasting, very curious for the whole bottle!
Super balanced, had just a sip at a tasting, very curious for the whole bottle!
Jun 1st, 2018
Excellent zinfandel! Lots of oak and dry fruits like raisins in a long aftertaste, well balanced tannins and acidity, but still powerful and masculine. Would recommend!
Excellent zinfandel! Lots of oak and dry fruits like raisins in a long aftertaste, well balanced tannins and acidity, but still powerful and masculine. Would recommend!
May 26th, 2018
2010 vintage. A totally unknown winery to me given to me by a grateful neighbor. I noted that the bottle quality portended a high-end wine. So I decided to wait to have it with a group of friends who'd appreciate something like this— a good decision. Upon opening, the nose struck me as a fine French Bordeaux with a big of age. The palate was fine and smooth with medium tannins. It's got a lovely full body and a nicely aged fruit that shows a sweet leather note. My friends loved it, as did I. What a treat to subsequently find out (through Charine Tan's review here) just what a special wine this was to have been given.
2010 vintage. A totally unknown winery to me given to me by a grateful neighbor. I noted that the bottle quality portended a high-end wine. So I decided to wait to have it with a group of friends who'd appreciate something like this— a good decision. Upon opening, the nose struck me as a fine French Bordeaux with a big of age. The palate was fine and smooth with medium tannins. It's got a lovely full body and a nicely aged fruit that shows a sweet leather note. My friends loved it, as did I. What a treat to subsequently find out (through Charine Tan's review here) just what a special wine this was to have been given.
Feb 19th, 2017