2019 Zlatan Plavac Hvar

100% Plavac Mali

ABV: 14%

Tasting Notes: A premium red wine from Zlatan Plenković! The wine is dark ruby in color, with a rich and layered, pleasant, and deep aroma that has undertones of Dalmatian herbs, spices, minerality, saltiness, dark fruit, and a touch of hay. Warm and comforting on the nose, it possesses a refined, complex, and an exceptional presence on the palate that is followed by a long and persistent finish.

Serve slightly chilled at cellar temperature (approx. 18° C) with spicy appetizers, bruschetta, tomato sauces, stews, red meat roasts, wild fowl, venison, roasted lamb and potatoes with rosemary and Dalmatian herbs, cured meats, hard and aged cheeses, grilled steak meats, burgers, and grilled blue fish.

Appellation: Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia

Density & Yield: 2,500 vines/ha; 0.5 kg/vine

Annual Production: 200,000 bottles

Climate: Mediterranean, with dry and hot summers, and mild winters

Terrain: Located on some of the most breath-taking and dramatic vineyards in Croatia, if not the entire world - southern exposure, 35-45% drastic slopes of Hvar Island with an altitude level ranging from approximately the sea level to 1,000 meters. Ideal climate, perfect for organic vine growing was spotted by the Ancient Greeks who settled here and planted with vines pre-Roman Empire. A very rocky soil that is mostly red clay topsoil with a rugged limestone foundation.

Farming: Organic. No irrigation, minimal amount of spraying in Spring and mid-summer months, with small amounts of powdered sulfites.

Vinification: Hand-harvest followed by 8-14 days of skin maceration in stainless steel tanks, later controlled fermentation in wooden vinificators for an additional 8-10 days at a temperature of 22° C - 25° C. Fermentation is strictly done through native/natural yeasts. The wine is aged for 12 months in large used Slavonian and Fresh oak barrels of 4,000 and 8,000 liters, coarsely fined and bottled unfiltered.