94 Points of Old World Grace and New World Style

This week's New Product comes from one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, and is made from varietals many wine consumers are only vaguely aware of.

As early as Roman times, a tradition in Macedonia was flourishing - a tradition to craft enchantingly powerful wines exhibiting the scent of the south, having a symphonic flavor and epitomizing the joyfulness of Macedonians. Tikveš Winery is one of the most important curators of this tradition. For more than 125 years, the sky, land, sun and vineyards in the south of Europe, each with its own share, have been a part of the story about Tikveš wines. Tikveš Winery has been crafting and aging premium Macedonian wines … ever since 1885.

This terroir wine comes from the Bela Voda region which is composed of clay soils, while enjoying a soft, Mediterranean climate. As a blend of the Vranec and Plavec varieties, this wine exhibits cocoa and wild black fruit aromas as well as a rich fruity structure.

Bela Voda will pair nicely with Beef Stroganoff, and you can find a great recipe for that, and many other delicious Old World dishes, on their website here.

Wine Advocate scored this vintage of Bela Voda at 94 points. Their review: "Looking at their upper-tier cuvee, which comes from a warmer, slightly lower elevation vineyard, the 2011 Bela Voda (a 50/50 blend of Vranec and Plavec) offers a beautifully complete profile, with classy aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite and floral nuances to go with a full-bodied, elegant and nicely focused profile on the palate. Still showing the hedonistic, sweetly fruited slant of the estate, it has solid concentration, ripe tannin and impressive length. Enjoy it over the coming 5-6 years, although who knows, it could certainly last longer."

Only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.