VENEC | Cuvee 56 | Reserva | #
vranac | cabernet sauvignon | merlot

We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations.

Tonight we are going to review a very intriguing wine blend from North Macedonia – Cuvee 56 Reserva by Venec. This wine is a harmonious blend of four three grape varieties: vranac (55%), cabernet sauvignon (25%) and merlot (20%), where vranac adds color depth and black fruits flavours, cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, while merlot adds up-front richness and builds a more refined mid-palate, thus forming a leaner and a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Negotino vineyards near Dolni Disan village in the Tikves Region of North Macedonia. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the final wine has been aged for 24 months in french oak barriques, both new and used, and its name is a testament to the year when Venec Winery was founded in 1956. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
_________________________________________________________________________
Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: deep & opaque garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & oaky-expressive
fruit character: ripe & overripe

On the first nose, this wine starts with an inviting explosion of ripe and almost jammy black fruit aromas. Think bitter-sweet dark cherries, juicy black plums and casis, with a hint of sweetness which suggests that overripe and even dried grapes were used in the winemaking. Woven throughout these fruity notes there are some nuanced hints of sweet spice, like tonka seeds and nutmeg, adding a touch of warmth and complexity. In the background, appealing oaky notes emerge, offering notes of tobacco and liquorice that contribute even more sophistication to the wine’s aromatic profile. Subtle earthy undertones are also present, adding a touch of rustic charm. This intriguing bouquet suggests a fruit-forward and bold wine.

//Palate
sweetness: off dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium+ | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: rich & seedy

The palate follows the nose, offering a wave of dehydrated black fruit flavors with a hint of raisinated character. The oak and baking spice notes from the nose carry through as well, adding complexity and structure. The wine’s bright acidity cuts through the initial richness of the fruit, offering a touch of freshness. The ripe tannins form a seedy texture on the mouthfeel, while a touch of alcoholic warmth announces its presence with firmness, yet it does not dominate over the palate. The finish is slightly sweet, with lingering hints of fruit, spice, and oak. Overall, the mouthfeel is firm, bold and plump, and despite the slight sweetness, the wine retains a good balance of acidity and tannin structure.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality

Overall, this is a firm and well structured red wine with a focus on ripe and dried black fruit character. While it’s not lacking in power or flavor, it feels a touch disjointed, lacking the harmony and finesse one might expect from a prime, Bordeaux-styled wine blend. The slightly sweet finish and the lingering tannic grip might not appeal to all palates, however, this wine could be a good choice for those who enjoy a bold and full-bodied red blend with the focus on ripe and overripe fruit flavors.

//Scoring
VENEC | Cuvee 56 | Reserva | #
variety: vranac | cabernet sauvignon | merlot
country: North Macedonia
region: Tikves Wine District
rating: 93.4
_________________________________________________________________________

This is definitely a fine wine of Macedonia and, with a total of 93.4 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.

Pairing: Due to this wine’s emphasis on ripe and overripe black fruit character with hints of oak and spice, we believe it would be best suited for a rich and flavorful dish that can stand up to the wine’s bold profile. Grilled lamb chops with a blackberry and port wine sauce would be a fantastic pairing option. The richness of the lamb would complement the wine’s ample body and grippy tannins, while the sweetness of the blackberry and port wine sauce would echo the expressivity of fruit and those hints of sweetness in the wine. In the same key, the savory elements of the grilled lamb would balance the slightly seedy notes in the wine, creating a harmonious interplay of flavors and textures. This pairing would allow the wine’s bold fruit character to shine through, while the richness of the lamb and the sweetness of the sauce would create a delightful and satisfying tasting experience. Cheers!

_________________________________________________________________________
© 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.