The New Old World
May / June 2025
THE WINEMAKER
Zlatan Plenković is regarded by many as one of the founders of modern winemaking in Croatia. An entrepreneur and a risk taker, his story is one of rags to riches in the wine world. Having founded a family horticulture business in 1986, he was one of the first to rebel and produce wines under a private label in 1991 - an activity that, at that time, could have resulted in a prison sentence. Just 3 years later he received a top quality wine designation for his cellar, with international awards soon to follow, winemaker of the year recognition in 2005 and 2007, and a cult following.
Today, Zlatan Otok is in the capable hands of his children. They are proud to be leading the family winery into the modern era, with the abundant legacy of their father ever-present in their wine-making philosophy.
THE WINERY
Zlatan Otok's spectacular vineyards are located on the unique southern slopes of the island of Hvar, a stunning island off Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline, in a micro-climate in Dalmatia's favourite red grapes - Plavac Mali, Crljenak (Tribidrag) and Babić - prevail.
These vineyards are special because they grow on slopes of up to 40% incline, where they are very well exposed to the sun, but also to the stabilizing influence of the sea which does not allow excessive temperature jumps. The openness to the sea ensures regular air flow essential for the health of the grapes.
Surrounded by untouched nature, the vines grow in an area where there is no industry and where no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used, and all work in the vineyard, including harvesting, is done by hand.
THE WINES
This month we are excited to showcase three red varieties from Dalmatia - the smooth Babić, the original Zinfandel, and the pride of the region - Plavac Mali.
BABIĆ NOVUS
BABIĆ NOVUS
Babić performs excellently on the rocky soils of the Šibenik area.
The young, organic vineyards are located on the hills of Jadrtovac, and after hand-harvesting and processing, the wine ages in large wooden barrels of Slavonian oak.
BABIĆ
Babić is local to the central and northern Dalmatian coast. The best quality grapes are grown on old vines, in windy locations where yields are low.
It thrives in extreme locations, on rocky, seemingly inaccessible terrain, where grapes need to fight to survive.
TASTING NOTES
Rich structure, southern character, soft fruit taste of berries and cherries with longlasting aftertaste.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Serve chilled at 14 - 16°C.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
Roasted lamb, sardines, proscuitto and cheeses.
CRLJENAK
CRLJENAK
The Zlatan Otok team always thought that Crljenak had great potential, so they decided to be a part of the research project that showed that this variety is genetically identical to Zinfandel and Primitivo.
After this discovery, they planted over 50,000 vines below Mt. Biokovo and in 2007, they were the first winery in Croatia that produced a bottle of Crljenak - a feat they have great pride in.
TRIBIDRAG
Tribidrag, otherwise known as Crljenak Kaštelanski, is an old varietal with its ancestral home in the region of Dalmatia. It is well suited to the hot, Mediterranean climate, and ripens early, to produce wonderfully deep red wines, with subtle tannins and good acidity.
Wines are bold and fruit-forward, with strong notes of Mediterranean herbs and pepper.
TASTING NOTES
Zlatan Crljenak is a fresh, aromatic wine known for its dark red colour and aromas of dark-red fruits with pepper on the finish.
A full bodied wine with rich structure, high acidity and soft tannins.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
16 - 18°C. Decant for one hour prior to serving.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
Beef steak, duck, traditional Pašticada, different types of cheese.
PLAVAC GRAND SELECT
GRAND SELECT
Zlatan Plavac Grand Select is made of carefully selected Plavac Mali grapes that grow on steep southern slopes around Sveta Nedjelja village.
These unique vineyards of up to 40% incline are surrounded by untouched nature, the vines grow in the area without industry and where no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used, and all work in the vineyard, including harvesting, is done manually.
PLAVAC MALI
Indigenous to Croatia, Plavac Mali is the renowned offspring of 2 ancient Croatian varieties:
Crljenak (proven through genetic analysis to be the original zinfandel) and Dobričić.
It's name translates as "the little blue".
This is quite deceptive however, as the grapes produce powerful, full bodied wines. Plavac Mali is the most planted red variety in Dalmatia.
TASTING NOTES
Without any doubt, the most famous and most awarded Zlatan Otok wine - previously known as Zlatan Plavac Grand Cru - it is a wine of cult status, not only in Croatia but beyond. The wine has a special place in the Zlatan family - produced for decades following a special approach and production process. It is cherished as the most accomplished achievement and legacy of Zlatan Plenković, founder of the winery.
Dark ruby colour, expressive, beautiful scent, balanced alcohols and acidity. Rounded, full-bodied wine with powerful but very elegant and smooth tannic structure. Expressive and complex taste profile of dark fruit, dalmatian herbs, tobacco, wood, vanilla and pepper.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Best served at 16 - 18 ° C. Decant for one hour prior to serving.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
Enjoy it alone after your meal or with some hard cheese, premium steak, duck magret or even dark chocolate.