Skaramuča Plavac 2019

Region: Pelješac Peninsula, Dalmatia, Croatia

Skaramuča was founded in 1992 by Ivo Skaramuča, whose vision for a modern expression of native Croatian grape varietals in wine would lead him to become one of the most notable growers of the region. Ivo cultivates his vineyard following organic practices, leaning into the natural hardiness of his grapes and the aridity of Croatia's Mediterranean climate.

Plavac Mali means 'Little Blue' in Croatian, owing to the tiny size of its grapes and their intense color. A cross between Crljenak Kaštelanski (an ancient relative of Zinfandel) and the native Dobričić varietal, Plavac Malic is the primary red wine grape grown along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It carries both the the spiced, dense fruit and structural yet unobtrusive tannins of Zinfandel. Behind its familiar profile, however, rests something rustic ad wild.

Ivo ages his 2019 Plavac in 100% stainless steel, allowing the profile of the grape to shine through without competition. It's both intense yet demure, light yet direct, an easy challenge play on the board of international wine.