Grgic Plavac Mali 2017

Drink now or cellar for up to 11 years. No need to decant before serving.

The legendary Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko or “Mike” Grgich helped put the USA on the map as a top wine producer thanks to the magnificent Chardonnay that he made for Chateau Montelena. This iconic wine was selected at the 1976 Judgement of Paris wine tasting competition as the top white wine by a panel of French wine experts. The wine beat many of France’s finest Burgundies and showed the potential of the Californian terroir to create world-class fine wines.

In recent years Mike has sought inspiration from his native Croatia to create a series of wines inspired by the characterful local grape varieties. This punchy and robust red is made from the finest grapes sourced from Dingac and Postup on the Pelješac peninsula. The land here is full of stunning natural and cultural beauty, including the nearby walled city of Dubrovnik and the gorgeous coastline which provides cooling sea breezes to preserve freshness and aromatics in the wines.

Once in the winery the fruit is fermented using natural yeasts and the young wine is then matured in special imported French oak barrels for 15 months. Even after the wine has been bottled it is then matured for another 2 years before Mike decides it is ready to release. This creates a rich, full bodied wine that is bursting with luscious dark berries, hints of wintry spice and a long finish seasoned with delicate floral hints and woodsmoke.