Rating 98
Style Red
Variety
Vintage 2018
Appellation
ABV 14.5%
Price $45.00  Buy This Wine
Print Shelf Talker
Reviewed By
Review Updated 2025-10-27

Perfect For

Drinking Outside the Lines, Holiday Meals, Steak Dinner

Drink If You Like

Cabernet Franc, Primitivo , Zinfandel

Zlatan Otok Crljenak 2018 Review

In 2001, a research team found that Croatia's Crljenak grape was genetically the same as Zinfandel in the U.S. And this wine from Croatia is a great window into the history of this grape. It opens with dense fruit notes that border on savory, like cooking down wild berries without sugar and enjoying the earthiness of the compote. The palate is full of plush fruit from plums to black raspberries, with hints of autumnal spices. It offers stunning balance, with good acidity and well integrated tannins.

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98
POINTS
Zlatan Otok Crljenak 2018
In 2001, a research team found that Croatia's Crljenak grape was genetically the same as Zinfandel in the U.S. And this wine from Croatia is a great window into the history of this grape. It opens with dense fruit notes that border on savory, like cooking down wild berries without sugar and enjoying the earthiness of the compote. The palate is full of plush fruit from plums to black raspberries, with hints of autumnal spices. It offers stunning balance, with good acidity and well integrated tannins.

Reviewed On: 10-28-2025
98
POINTS
Zlatan Otok Crljenak 2018
In 2001, a research team found that Croatia's Crljenak grape was genetically the same as Zinfandel in the U.S. And this wine from Croatia is a great window into the history of this grape. It opens with dense fruit notes that border on savory, like cooking down wild berries without sugar and enjoying the earthiness of the compote. The palate is full of plush fruit from plums to black raspberries, with hints of autumnal spices. It offers stunning balance, with good acidity and well integrated tannins.

Reviewed On: 10-28-2025