It’s December… Traffic in Belgrade has already become unbearable … Holiday madness is approaching, which is first visible on the streets and in the city traffic. I’m struggling to get through Autokomanda roundabout to a place that will bring aromas and flavours of Dalmatia in the coming hour. The Vine & Pleasure Wine Shop is hosting Korta Katarina Winery, so they organized a wine tasting for local wine critics and journalists.

Korta Katarina Winery is located in Orebić on Pelješac. Owners and founders of the winery are a married couple Lee and Penny Anderson from the United States, who named the winery after their daughter’s name.

At the very beginning, some old vineyards were purchased, whilst a new vineyard was planted in two main positions on Pelješac peninsula: Dingač and Postup. Of course, Plavac Mali was in the spotlight and all the future plans of the winery relied solely on Plavac Mali, especially with regard to its maturing and ageing in order to show all qualities of this variety. In addition to Plavac Mali, the winery is also dedicated to Pošip variety. All red wines are made from grapes originating from those two locations. The annual output is 80,000 liters. The first vintage that came out on the market was in 2006.

Pošip 2017 - Korta Katarina

Pošip enjoys great popularity in the local market of Croatia, so one can already see negative effects of it. Winemakers are simply racing to find and buy quality Pošip grapes, so the price of grapes continues to rise year after year. This Pošip vintage 2017 (50% stainless-steel tank, 50% barrels, French oak, 20-30% new wood) is currently available on the market. Unlike most Dalmatian varieties that give the best results on the southern sunny slopes, Pošip gives its best expression on the plots located inland on the peninsula. At these plots, the aromatic profile and freshness of the wine are well-preserved. The nose is complex, fruity, leaning towards citrus fruit, orange peel, yellow apples, with fine layers of herbal tones and hints of medicinal herbs, wrapped in a trail of propolis. The mouthfeel is oily, rich, full-bodied. Acidity contributes to impression of pleasant freshness.

Pošip 2016 - Korta Katarina

Wine that is no longer available on the market, but gives us an opportunity to assess the potential of Pošip as a variety. The wine evolved, ripe, aromas of citrus and orange have evolved into mature yellow fruit, pear, quince, much more hints of honey and propolis. In the mouth, a very pleasant impression, soft, rounded. Impressive warm velvety finish and noble patina. I’d like to drink more often this style of Pošip.

Pošip 2010 - Korta Katarina

Archive wine that resembles the style of white Rioja as it used to be 50 years ago. Lush golden-yellow color. On the palate, nutty flavours, roast hazelnuts accompanied with layers of apricots, pears, figs, honey. The noble age in the glass. And an indicator that Pošip is one of Dalmatia’s great varieties.

Plavac Mali 2012 - Korta Katarina

Wine currently available on the market. Since 2010, Korta Katarina winery has been using exclusively grapes from its own vineyards for production of this wine. After 12 months of maturing in French oak (medium toasting), we’ve got a wine exuding freshness. Personally, I am not a fan of Plavac Mali (especially those traditional ones), so I can rarely drink more than one glass. I like Plavac wines from Komarna because they generally show more freshness. This wine made by Korta Katarina shows that Pelješac also has potential to produce modern Plavac wine, fully tamed and with lovely freshness. Void of those heavy jammy flavours, the wine shows flavours of fresh red fruit, cranberries, red currants with hints of tobacco, leather. Tannins are solid and ripe, so we are still dealing with recognizable Plavac, but his strength and ripeness are restrained. In the finish, a fine impression of saltiness and Mediterranean herbs.

Winemaker's Selection 2011 - Korta Katarina

This wine has retained the soul of Dingač, however, it is quite modern style. All the typical attributes of Plavac Mali are there: 15.5% alcohol, opulence and weight, plentiful overripe fruit, plum jam, carob, spicy notes… But without any banality. Everything is finely integrated, well-balanced, rounded. Wonderful acidity that, together with tannins and alcohol, guarantees longevity. The first wine at this tasting which I would place on a scale above 90 points …

Plavac Mali 2010 - Korta Katarina

The wine has already reached its peak, but the unripe, green, herbal notes and mild bitterness in the finish prevail. Tannins still unpolished, although 8 years have passed … In all likelihood, the outcome of a challenging year.

Reuben's Private Reserve 2009 - Korta Katarina

The wine that was named after the late father of the winemaker. This year in January, 2,600 bottles and 400 magnums of this wine were released on the market. Powerful Plavac, 16% alcohol, developed typical tertiary notes of Plavac. While I’m tasting it, I’m thinking that there’s excess of everything in this wine (just like it often happens with Plavac Mali), but in this case it all comes in perfect balance. 16% alcohol comes through only towards the finish. Tannins open up in layers and wrap the palate with a finely grained patina. Dark chocolate, tobacco, coffee, carob, prunes, raisins, earthy notes… This is supposed to be a traditional Plavac, yet everything is so elegant, so sophisticated … The best wine at this tasting. I would not hesitate to award it 93/100.

Plavac Mali 2006 - Korta Katarina

And now we have an opportunity to taste a piece of history. The first wine from Korta Katarina Winery that appeared on the market. This blend of Plavac from Dingač and Postup is largely dominated by Postup (90%). The wine still retains its strength. Developed, complex. In the mouth, it’s warm, lots of sunshine, earthy tones, coffee, dried tomato, carob, Mediterranean herbs, dry figs, forest soil … Soft, developed …

(15.12.2018.)

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