At the end of every year, we go through the wines we've tasted throughout the year and select the ones that impressed us the most. Talking about these impressive wines gives us great pleasure. In order to easily access them both when friends ask and when we want to quickly look back, in honor of also launching our blog this year, we decided to add them as a post to our blog 🙂
We divided our list into two: international and domestic. We added the fruit wines we tried as a bonus at the end of the lists so as not to cause classification confusion.
International Wines
1. Monte Tokaj, Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Furmint, 2002, White-Sweet, Hungary, Tokaj: An excellent nose, honey, dried yellow fruits and ripe fruits. As you keep smelling, the aroma depth increases, while on the palate it's very full and persistent, the sweetness doesn't bother at all. It completely won over even us who don't usually prefer sweet wines, definitely an extraordinary wine. 8/10
Source: https://vinagora.hu/hu/eremkereso/2874
2. Maturana, MW, Carmenere, 2018, Red, Chile, Colchagua Valley: Very intense aroma profile on the nose. Carmenere's signature aromas at the highest level. Raspberry, licorice, red and dark fruits combined. Strong acidity on the palate, extremely elegant tannins, all the aromas from the nose are present, the alcohol-tannin-acidity balance is superb, long finish. A wine that is truly awe-inspiring. 7.95/10
Source: https://www.vivino.com/US/en/maturana-mw/w/4786576
3. Fairview, Shiraz, 2009, Red, South Africa, Coastal Region: Tertiary aromas are incredibly dominant on the nose. Mushroom, forest floor, tobacco, smoked meat. Excellent dark fruits in the background. The same aromas are intensely felt on the palate. The gunpowder aroma characteristic of South African wines is present, but in this wine it has become very subtle and added a deep complexity. Tannins are soft. 7.85/10
Source: https://wine.co.za/wine/wine.aspx?WINEID=27153
4. Boutari, 1879 Boutari Legacy, Xinomavro, 2017, Red, Greece, Naoussa: On the nose there is a fresh tomato aroma coming from behind, which the producer themselves also emphasizes. Ripe dark fruits are nicely blended with oak. Tannins are noticeable on the palate, slightly angular. Has the potential to be incredible with a bit more aging. Even in its current state, it's sufficiently balanced. Aromas burst on the palate. Wonderful to drink today. 7.75/10
Source: https://www.vivino.com/US/en/boutari-wineries-eighteen-seventynine-boutari-legacy/w/2160237
5. Dominique Laurent, Chablis 1er Cru 'Fourchaume', Chardonnay, 2019, France, Chablis: High aroma intensity on the nose, despite not being sweet, sugar-honey scent is dominant. Tropical fruits come through on the palate. Complex and successful aroma intensity. 7.6/10
Source: https://www.aeondewine.com/shop/goods/goods.aspx?goods=A106-4542312024078
6. Havas & Timar, Franom Hordovalogatas, Cabernet Franc, 2017, Red, Hungary, Eger: Characteristic Cabernet Franc aromas are present on the nose, violet is dominant. Ripe dark fruits and oak-derived aromas are present, a rich nose. On the palate, acidity is still strong, intense aroma profile, complex. A super delicious wine. 7.55/10
Source: https://winenotbudapest.hu/Havas-Timar-Franom-Hordovalogatas-Cabernet-Franc
7. Donkiesbaai, Hooiwin, Chenin Blanc, 2022, White-Sweet, South Africa, Stellenbosch: High aroma intensity on the nose. Quince dessert, sweet spices, pear, slightly sugary scents. Full-bodied on the palate with a long finish, the sweetness level is perfectly calibrated, the sugar doesn't tire the palate and the balance is superb. On the palate, it's possible to feel linden honey, flower honey, and pine honey all at the same time. A very successful example of a sweet wine. 7.5/10
Source: https://www.vivino.com/DE/en/donkiesbaai-hooiwijn/w/2116316?year=2022
Bonus 1: Ainoa Winery, Sametti, Blueberry, 2019, Fruit, Finland Mustikkaviini, Blåbärsvin: Blueberry aromas burst on both the nose and palate. The sweetness is not at a tiring level. Like a less alcoholic, blueberry version of Küp Sour Cherry Wine. Perfect for sweet wine lovers. 7.5/10
Source: https://www.alko.fi/en/products/607864/Ainoa-Sametti-2019/
Domestic Wines
1. Chamlija, Magnus, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, 2019, Red, Turkey, Kırklareli: Dark fruit aromas dominate the nose, there's a blackcurrant note coming from the Cabernet Sauvignon dominance. High acidity on the palate, high tannins but softened. Oak is noticeable but not intense. Fruit aromas are very nice. Long finish and a complex wine. Would be excellent with a bit more aging. 7.8/10
Source: https://degustasyon.net/chamlija-magnus-2019-kirklareli/
2. Pamukkale, L, Chardonnay, Narince, Sauvignon Blanc, 2019, White, Turkey, Denizli: Butter, ripe yellow fruits, linden honey, peach and green pepper from behind, pear, quince on the nose. Strong acidity on the palate, very wide aroma profile. It's possible to feel certain characteristics coming from all the blended grapes. Oak is felt very deeply from the background. High persistence, full-bodied, a complex white wine. 7.7/10
Source: https://iyisarap.to/products/pamukkale-l-kirmizi
(The wine in the image is the 2018 vintage of the red version of the wine named L, and since a visual of the white version could not be found, it has been added as representative.)
3. Kuzeybağ, Kösetevek, 2022, Red, Turkey, Elazığ: There is an aroma intensity on the nose that can be called perfumey. Dark dried plums, marmalade, red fruits like strawberry blended with ripe dark fruits. Superb balance on the palate, very high aroma intensity; acidity, body, and aromas are balanced. Deep dark fruits come through sweetly. An excellent flavor. 7.65/10
Source: https://www.vivino.com/DE/en/kuzeybag-kosetevek/w/8103799?year=2022
4. MMG, Şatomet, Bornova Misketi, 2022, White, Turkey, İzmir: Floral aromas dominate the nose, white rose, jasmine. Peach flavor is intense on the palate, yellow fruits come through. Aroma intensity at the highest level. Long finish, a wonderful Muscat example. 7.65/10
Source: https://degustasyon.net/satomet-bornova-misketi-2011-urla/ (The wine in the image is the old label of the same wine, and since the current label visual could not be found, it has been used as representative.)
5. Kastro Tireli, Alkaia, Syrah, Mourvèdre, 2014, Red, Turkey, Manisa: Dried plums and intense dark fruits on the nose. Alongside these, there are aromas resembling tomato paste. Vanilla from the oak is present. Oak is felt on the palate but accompanies beautifully from the background. All the aromas found on the nose are also present on the palate. High complexity, in very good condition to drink today. 7.65/10
Source: https://degustasyon.net/kastro-tireli-alkaia-2014-akhisar/
6. Taneanda, Caladoc, 2015, Red, Turkey, Tekirdağ: Very strong aroma intensity on the nose, deep dark fruits, dried plums, spice. Very powerful on the palate, tannins are still strong but don't tire the palate too much. Aroma intensity is very nice on the palate. Despite having no oak aging, it has matured beautifully. Definitely a price/performance wine. 7.65/10
Source: https://degustasyon.net/taneanda-caladoc-2015-tekirdag/
7. Perdix, Bornova Misketi, 2022, White, Turkey, İzmir: Floral aromas found in a classic Bornova Muscat are intense on the nose. There are also slight citrus aromas like orange. Strong acidity on the palate, very high aroma intensity, very balanced. A superb Muscat example. 7.6/10
Source: https://degustasyon.net/perdix-bornova-misketi-2018-izmir/ (Note: Since the label image of the 2022 vintage could not be found, the 2018 has been used.)
8. Paşaeli, Wild Fermented, Çalkarası, 2022, Red, Turkey, Denizli: Color is deep red. Red fruits, strawberry, sweet jam aromas on the nose. Very strong aroma intensity. Tannins are noticeable on the palate. Strong acidity, medium body, long finish. Oak is present but not felt at all. Has excellent balance. A successful Çalkarası example reminiscent of the nice Liatiko wines we had in Crete. 7.5/10
Source: https://www.wineanatolia.com/pasaeli-wild-ferment-calkarasi-red-wine-pack-of-12/
Bonus 2: Küp, Sour Cherry Wine Liqueur, Sour Cherry, 2022, Fruit-Fortified, Turkey, Denizli: We couldn't make the first favorites list we've ever compiled without including Küp's Sour Cherry Wine Liqueur (formerly known as Mistel Wine), which has been one of our favorite wines for years. This wine, which has maintained the same quality for years and is made from pure sour cherries, is produced using the fortified method.
Intensely aromatic sour cherry on both the nose and palate, full-bodied on the palate, very low sugar level, the alcohol intensity burns the throat, long finish. An excellent companion to desserts, very enjoyable to consume a glass as a nightcap wine. 8/10
Source: https://iyisarap.to/products/kup-visne-likor-sarabi
Bonus 3: Sanford, Mystic Muse, Strawberry, 2023, Fruit, Turkey, Afyon, Aydın: Strawberry aromas are at the highest level on both the nose and palate, strong aroma intensity, very little sweetness. Low body, medium finish wine. A perfect poolside wine for summer. A top quality fruit wine. 8/10
Source: https://iyisarap.to/products/mystic-muse-blush