Zlatan Otok Crljenak

Decanted for a couple of hours. Dark, brooding, blueberries, hint of smoke on the nose. The palate follows with lots of dark fruit and a wild chili burn (15%!), rustic, but very savoury. Brilliant!

Dark berry, blackberry blueberry gentle hints of raisin, full but not cheap jammy. Exactly these berries that run down the throat, with balanced tannins and smooth finish.

A Crljenak, or the real Zinfandel, from Croatia and the island of Hvar. This one (2015) is earthy, rustic, a little rough around the edges at first, and especially when the tannins kick in. There is a certain class to this wine, but not the smooth or polished kind. It is easy to like, in other words. Well-balanced and overall very drinkable, perhaps best enjoyed with a meal. Give it time to breathe, 2 to 4 hours, maybe longer depending …

Had at a restaurant in Hvar. Very good. Reminds me of a good Dry Creek Zinfande, like a Rafinelli. Big structure, smooth tannin and good acid. This could age very nicely.

One of the best Croatian wines. Full body ans smoth

Dark red in color. Rustic and tannic in a good way with dried fruits, dark berries and herbs weighing up. It worked perfect with a stifado made of lamb.