I noticed GregT’s comment in the Misunderstood Wine Category about sub $15 wines including Serbia. Winebow has started a Balkan Wine Project with many of these wines now available in DC. I have recently tried three of their Serbian selections and must admit that the 2011 Agrina, Portuguiser for $13 is absolutely lovely. I certainly recommend that bottle to others and if you pick one to start with, this is the one. We have bought more to have as a daily drinker. Winery Milijan Jelic has an interesting white wine made from the relatively new varietal Morava. Apparently it can survive the extremely cold winters of the region. The 2007 Vino Budimir, Sub Rosa is a serious wine meant for the cellar but it is a bit pricey.
2011 Winery Milijan Jelic, Morava, Pocerina, Serbia - $24
Imported by Winebow. This wine is 100% Morava which was matured in stainless steel tank. Alcohol 14.5%. The color is a very light copper straw. The light to medium strength nose steps out with Muscat, tea, floral, and ripe fruit aromas. It remains strong after several days. The mouth follows the nose but is a bit fuller. There is lively fruit on the tongue from the acidity then drier flavors in the finish where there are chalky minerals. The long aftertaste brings more dried herbs with air. There is a lot of presence. ***** Now-2017**.
2011 Agrina, Mackov Podrum, Portuguiser, Fruska Gora, Serbia – $13
Imported by Winebow. This wine is 100% Portuguiser. Alcohol 13%. The color is a light+ bright ruby red. The light nose is incensed with ripe red fruit. In the mouth there is supple, ripe, red fruit, sweet orange citrus, and powdery black and red fruit in the aftertaste. The is some initial weight to the wine with ripe, berrylicious flavors, which simplify towards the finish. In the aftertaste the wine is a little tart with ripe, citric tannins. ** Now-2014. [Second note] The color was light to medium ruby. The light to medium nose was scented with berry-liscious aromas. In the mouth this wine offered up bright, concentrated flavors of berries, some tartness, and lifted perfume. Very fruit driven. ***** Now-2014**.
2007 Vino Budimir, Sub Rosa, Zupa, Serbia - $35
Imported by Winebow. This wine is a blend of 60% Prokupac and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon which were fermented with indigenous yeasts. The Prokupac was aged for three years in 3000 L oak casks and the Cabernet Sauvignon in French oak barrels. Alcohol 13.5%. The color was medium garnet. The light, tight nose bore interesting aromas which I could not describe. In the mouth there was ripe, focused fruit, a little spicy, and the impression of a young wine. The core of fruit was a bit wound up but still had a lifted quality before the flavors dried and faded a little bit. This was grapey with ripe tannins, and brighter, powdery red fruit in the finish and a racy, black aftertaste. On the second night the nose was very grapey. The mouth still had good ripe, concentrated fruit but the tannins structure stepped up. ***** 2014-2022**.
Best,
Aaron