Hrašćina, Croatia
Oenologist: Tomislav Bolfan
Organic, Sustainable & Vegan Friendly
Bolfan Vinski Vrh is situated in the Hrašćina Municipality, on the wine-growing hills of Zlatar, in the Medimurje - Zagorje viticultural sub-region, in Croatia. For thousands of years, this has been a vine growing land, where exuberant wines were created & poured in varying styles, yet still keeping the traditional indigenous grapes throughout time.
There are legends & stories, with origins in 2nd-century Roman culture mentioning the vineyard & the Roman military station situated on top of the hill where the winery now stands. The Roman period was followed by a succession of mediaeval feudal owners, each of them leaving traces of vine growing & wine production.
Through their history, experience, ancient soil & bountiful location, Bolfan have reached the peak in wine production in the Croatian wine world. They have achieved a selection of completely natural vintages, by implementing a 100% organic & vegan friendly method of vine growing. Such techniques form fresh wines with outstanding minerality, fruity profiles & floral aromas.
Their wines are produced for those who search for more, who can recognise the differences that organic methods bring & want the best nature has to offer. Without the dedication, constant learning, attention to detail & persistence, of every individual person working at Bolfan, the philosophy described above would not be possible.
Croatia’s absolute best!
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Bolfan Centurian Sparkling Brut 2016
BLF1-SPK - 100% Chardonnay - Hrašćina - 12.5%
This wonderful Croatian sparkling wine, Centurion, is obtained from the base wines from harvest 2010 and 2011, the grape is pure Chardonnay (blanc de blanc). The grapes were grown using organic farming on the beautiful slopes of Northern Croatia. Secondary fermentation in the bottle lasts for 20 months, and after disgorgement liqueur is not added so that this sparkling wine is labelled ‘brut nature’ and can have from 0-3 g / l of unfermented sugar.
This high quality sparkling has an appealing straw-yellow colour and is rich and golden around the edges. The wine is adorned with lots of small and fast bubbles that are extremely strong and lively that are accompanied by subtle, elegant and appealing aromas.
On the nose, citrus, then ginger peel and yellow apples dominates, and later the wonderful champagne aroma of brioche appears. The secondary aromas of white meadow and lime flowers, are finished with little notes of honey. This wine exudes freshness and minerality, which have developed wonderfully in the bottle.
On the palate the Centurion is balanced, with a strong intensity of flavours. It is crisp and complex with a dry finish, that offers a little warmth and to give it a delicious smoothness but still fresh. Plenty of layers that express richness, minerality and character with honey notes making it a very harmonious wine and very gastronomic.
Food Pairing: Rich white sauces (cod or other fish or pasta), smoked salmon and canapes in general.
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Bolfan Cuvée White Zagorski Breg - 2022
BLF1-W - Hrašćina - Graševina, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot gris - 12.5%
A spectacular blend of indigenous & international varieties.
With a combination of Grasevina, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris this giant white pleases a multitude of palate types. A fresh & light white, fruit forward, with a touch of meadow flowers. Top-quality wine with protected geographical indication Zagorje – Međimurje. A real treat for the adventurous wine lover!
Tasting Notes: Straw green hues, expressive freshness & rich fruity tones. This citrus & peach bomb also has mingling notes of celery & pine trees. Thus adding a more savoury element to this tangy white. Bursting with minerality, a harmonious crisp acidity & a beautifully long length. A truly fascinating, happy white!
Food Suggestions: Pairs perfectly with homemade spiced soups, seasonal salad, mild-medium curries & shellfish.
Serving Temperature: 8-10 °C
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Bolfan G - 2021
BLF2-W - Hrašćina - Graševina - 13%
The wine to hit your Bolfan G spot! One of Croatia’s most popular white grapes, among the indigenous varieties of Croatia. The Graševina grape, known as Welschriesling in Austria, ripens late to produce wonderful acidity in its gently aromatic wines. Graševina wine is straw yellow & limpid
in clarity, very pronounced aromas of coriander, fresh petals, & lemon sherbet. Dry, yet with prominent freshness & long in length with a harmoniously balanced acidity. A wine with strong “personality”, elegant, dynamic, with expressed citric warm fruitiness. A distinctly different wine with an easy drinking nature, perfect for a first exploration of Croatian varietals!
Pairing Suggestions: Versatile due to the strong character, but is fantastic with pork chops, grilled pork loin, sushi, fish carpaccios or hard cheeses.
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Bolfan Pinot Noir Rosé - 2022
BLF1-RS - Hrašćina - Pinot Noir - 12%
Soft pale rose colour with prominent fruit & floral notes. As raspberries, blackberries & violets fill your glass, you realise you have never had a pinot noir rosé like this before.
We have had some people misidentify this rosé as an orange wine, due to its body & viscosity. Which is something a lot of rosés’ lack! It has an intriguing coriander seed nose combined with warm spices & fresh berries, coming at the end with an elegant violet floral fragrance that screams class! Its engaging structure with nuances of flint, minerality & savoury notes whisk your palate off to Croatia, to experience new sensations!
Pairing Suggestions: Light seasonal green fresh salads, carpaccio & salads with capers, parmesan & watercress.
Serving temperature: 8 -10 °C
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Bolfan Cuvée Red - 2019
BLF1-R - Hrašćina, Croatia - Frankovka & Cabernet Sauvignon - Frankovka 70% & Cabernet Sauvignon 30%. - 12%
A full bodied red with bags of character. Expressed in a seductive ruby colour, with dominant notes of spice, herbs & a liveliness from fresh blueberries. Some discrete aromas of dark chocolate & cocao nibs. Tied together with a freshness on the palate that develops to a warm & long finish with a blast of ripe fruit, as a reflection of the maturation in big oak barrels & conditions only this terroir can produce.
Serving temperature: 16 °C
Pairing Suggestions: Great with venison or beef in stews, pâté. Red & white cabbage meals, schnitzel & goulash.
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Bolfan Cabernet Sauvignon - 2018
BLF2-R - Hrašćina, Croatia - Cabernet Sauvignon - 13%
Dark & crimson beautiful red colour with very slight elements of ageing shown by the lighter rim to the wine when in the glass. Dense & intense wine with dominant red cherry, blackberry & some cinnamon on the finish.
Serving temperature: 16 °C
A weightier Cabernet than most are used to, yet with a relatively low alcohol content of 13.5%. This results in soft, elegant tannins, & a well rounded wine. Topped off with a beautiful length, this wine is a strong contender for our favourite. Fermented on the lees, non-filtered with possible natural sediment in the bottle, this wine will only improve with age!
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Bolfan Aromano Orange Wine - 2016
BLF1-OW - Hrašćina - Pinot Gris & Traminac - 14%
The Pinot Gris & the Traminac have had a separate fermentation process in stainless steel tanks where the peels are fermented with the amber colour of the wine. Afterwards the blend is made in large wooden barrels of Slavonian oak. The wine is then aged in these barrels for ten months.
Tasting Notes: Starting with intense notes of apricot & spice. The wine is full-bodied but also has a softness, thanks to the ageing in oak barrels. The skin of the grapes is also with the juice, giving the wine pleasant soft tannins.
Serving Temperature: 10-12°C
Pairing Suggestions: Pairs well with turkey dishes, smoked cheeses, bacon in a creamy sauce, garlic shrimp & many spicy Asian dishes.