Zlatan Otok Zlatan Plavac Barrique Sveta Nedjelja

Technically competent, but I can't get past the bizarre, unattractive flavor profile. The closest analogy I can give is to Devil's food cake combined with Mexican spices.

Deep purple-tinged color. Nose of chocolate and soot. Full-bodied flavors of plum and chocolate, with a little more residual sweetness than I like (too New World.) Very soft tannins in the back end. A little bit of Brett character was apparent, but not in a distracting way. Fairly good, but not the best spent wine dollar at $35.

Greece and Croatia (K & L Wine Merchants (Hollywood, CA)) : Dark red. Vibrant high-toned oak-spiciness, quite ripe but red-fruited. Sweet and concentrated, although the oak intensity has not integrated yet. Excellent lengthy finish reminiscent of toast smothered with melted gruyere suggests this may reward some cellaring.

Served at a tasting at K&L in SF. Quick notes: nose of dark fruit; somewhat watery with off putting flavors; ends with a dry tannic and slightly bitter finish. Noticeable high alcohol. Needs food. Fair.

Medium gray red color with pale meniscus; nice Musar-like dried berry and caramel nose; tart dried plum, mulberry, and sweet dried wood palate; chewy medium finish