Dense and delicious.
65% Kratosija and 35% Vranec from the Republic of Macedonia. The Tikves Barovo spends 15 months aging in a combination of concrete (30% of the wine) and one year old French oak barrels (70% of the wine).
The Tikves Barovo has an SRP of $23 and is available for as low as $15. Imported by European Cellars - Eric Solomon Selections. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
The vineyard of Barovo, located high in the mountain of South Macedonia, enjoys the fresh temperatures of the mountain at night which enables it to produce a perfectly balanced blend of 65% Kratosija and 35% Vranec, extremely rich and long lasting on the palate with delicate fruit flavours on the nose. This union is best enjoyed at 16-18C/61-64F, complemented by lamb, prime ribs, wild boar or sweet-and-sour morsels.
-The Winemaker, Philippe Cambie
14.5% Alcohol
As we mentioned in our review of the Shelburne Vineyard Marquette from Vermont, we've been trying wines lately from places a bit off the beaten path. Today we've got another one for you, but this time from Eastern Europe.
While it is right next door to the Greek region of Macedonia, the Republic of Macedonia is a separate country that was formerly part of Yugoslavia. There is quite a tradition of wine here, surviving two world wars and the Cold War. The Tikves Winery which produces today's bottle actually goes all the way back to 1885. And throughout all this time they have continued to make wines with the native grapes of the region, which we are now much freer to enjoy. Lucky us!
The 2012 Tikves Barovo begins with a very pleasant aroma of blackberry, spicy plum, black pepper, licorice, chocolate, cedar and even a little bubble gum. Tasting reveals a
smooth yet meaty wine with lots of rich dark berry fruit along with notes of cedar, chocolate and black pepper. Full-bodied and with good acidity this is really delicious stuff. It ends dry with lingering sweet dark fruit and even a few mineral notes on the mouth-drying finish.
See a listing of local retailers selling the Tikves Barovo here.
