FAKIN | Malvazija Istarska | 2021
malvasia

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Today we are also going to review another single-varietal malvasia wine, but this time one from Croatia – Malvazija Istarska 2021 by Vina Fakin. Malvasia name is derived from the greek port Monemvasia, through which so many rich dessert wines passed en route to western and northern Europe in the Middle Ages. Malvasia is a name that is widely and sometimes loosely used throughout Mediterranean Europe for a range of ancient grape varieties, the most famous of which inspires the richest styles of Madeira wines. For example Malvasia di Candia (of Crete) is one common sub-variety, while in Italy there are at least 10 distinctive forms of Malvasia planted all over the country. Malvasia as a wine tends to be deep in color, quite high in alcohol, can oxidise easily, with an intensely nutty character and notes of orange peel and dried fruits. Today malvasia can be found in Spain and Portugal, it can be an interesting diversion from the ubiquitous chardonnay in California, and is the most important white grape variety in Croatia and Montenegro, where it produces mainly varietal wines, often with a slightly green hue and an appealing honeyed tang. This particular wine comes from the the Istria region, made of grapes that were sourced from the vineyards which are moderated by the Adriatic Sea, located around the small medieval town of Motovun. The wine has been aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the varietal aromatics of the malvasia grapes as much as possible. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to our tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: pale yellow color
clarity: pastel yellow hues

//Olfactory
intensity: powerful & citrusy
fruit profile: green fruits | citrus fruits
__green fruits: green apple | green pear | gooseberry | wild pear
__citrus fruits: lime | kiwi | green grapefruit | lemon
fruit character: underripe & ripe

//Flavor
non fruit: floral & herbal
__floral: daffodil | marguerite | chamomile
__herbal: currant leaf | meadow | green tea
primary layer: fruit

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: high
tannin: low
__grip: green
balance: good
__dominant: acidity
body: round | light

//Taste
fruit profile: green fruits & citrus
fruit character: underripe & ripe
non fruit: floral & herbal
finish: medium
aftertaste: refreshingly-crisp

//Scoring
FAKIN | Malvazija Istarska | 2021
variety: malvasia
country: Croatia
region: Istria
rating: 91.9

//Conclusion
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within one year
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Croatia and with a total of 91.9 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Verdict: this is a very fine and refreshing malvasia wine that feels crisp, lean and supple, with a nuanced citrusy-green nose and a lush palate. The wine is right there, at the peak of its form, therefore we would recommend to drink it today or within the next 12 months, as we firmly believe that it is always better to drink a wine a year too soon than a day too late. On the nose the wine brings underripe green fruits and citrusy notes to the foreground, followed by some subtle, floral-herbal hints in the background. On the palate the wine delivers crisp and fresh acidity and just a touch of alcoholic warmth that is showing through on the mouthfeel, which evolves into refreshingly-crisp aftertaste. All in all, this is a very appealing and slightly green malvasia wine, that in its current state feels lacks a bit of harmony and finesse on the palate. We believe that this wine will pair nicely with some arugula & pear summer salad or for example with avocado bruschetta with balsamic vinegar dressing. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.