Tikveš Winery, Tikveš, Republic of Macedonia

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The Tikveš wine region is the primary wine-producing region in the country of the country of Macedonia, a mountainous country at the centre of the Balkan peninsula.  The Tikveš Winery, based in the town of Kavadarci, was established about 120 years ago and is now owned by M6, a successful Macedonian investment group.  It is the largest winery in Macedonia (and quite possibly in the whole of south-east Europe).  They own around 500 hectares of vines and have control over a further 3,500 hectares, producing over 20 million bottles per year.  The winery – naturally state of the art – currently has a capacity of 25 million litres in fermentation tanks, a 1500m² barrel store containing 400 oak barriques and 180 foudres, and a futher 2000m² is given over to bottle ageing.

Tikveš Winery produces wine primarily in four ranges: Classic, Special Selection, Limited Edition and Alexandria Cuvée.  I tasted a sample of the latter three ranges.

 

The Special Selection range was introduced in 2005 and consists of three reds (cabernet sauvignon, merlot and vranec) and four whites (chardonnay, riesling, traminec and temjanika): about 50,000 bottles are made of each wine.

2006 Temjanika Special Selection, Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia
Temjanika is a local grape variety, related to Muscat de frontignac.  The wine has quite a rich, floral, delicately scented Muscat nose.  It feels just off dry on the attack, but there is some acidity too, which keeps it fresh and dry on the finish.  Really rather attractive and interesting.  89/100

2005 Vranec Special Selection, Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13%
The nose has concentrated black fruits and cherries.  An interesting palate with fairly sweet black fruit initially.  Very fine structure with lots of character.  It feels a bit young and may improve in 12 months when the tannins have integrated a bit.  89/100

 

The Limited Edition range is made in more of an international style, with the wines barrel-aged in premium French oak for between four and thirteen months.  There are four wines in the range: a chardonnay, a cabernet sauvignon, a merlot and a vranec.

2006 Limited Edition Chardonnay, fermented and aged in oak barrels, Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13.5%
This has gently oaked pear and peach fruit on the nose.  Rich-ish palate. Very balanced around round, though there’s a nice streak of acidity.  88/100

2005 Limited Edition Vranec, fermented and aged in oak barrels, Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13.5%
Aged in French oak for 10-12 months.  This has a more subdued nose than the Special Selection Vranec, with the oak subsuming the more “normal” fruit profile, leaving some more unusual aromas.  Very similar on the palate with good black fruit and character.  The oak seems to have just knocked the edge of a little.  87/100

 

The range of Alexandria Cuvée wines is their premium range of three blended wines: a white made from chardonnay and riesling, a rosé made from vranec and merlot and a red that is a blend of merlot, vranec and cabernet sauvignon.  12,000 bottles of each Alexandria Cuvée are made each year.

2007 Alexandria Cuvée (white), Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13%
This is a blend of 70% chardonnay and 30% riesling.  It has an interesting nose: fresh and buttery but with a rather curious fishy note too.  Nice palate with a good richness.  Again, it feels richer and sweeter on the attack, before resolving into completely dry on the finish.  Good length.  This is unusual and very, very drinkable.  Very good with food.  This would make a very good restaurant wine.  90/100

2007 Alexandria Cuvée (rosé), Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia
This is a blend of vranec and merlot.  Quite a deep salmon pink colour.  The nose has cherry and strawberry fruit.  Light and refreshing on the palate.  It’s a just a touch off dry.  Works well.  88/100

2007 Alexandria Cuvée (red), Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13%
This is a blend of vranec, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.  It has flowery scented fruit on the nose.  The palate is very soft, round and open.  There’s nice juicy fruit, but not oversweet.  Very clean, almost refreshing.  It has a lovely finish with elegant, lifted flavours and a touch of tannins.  91/100

 

The Limited Edition range is made in more of an international style, with the wines barrel-aged in premium French oak for between four and thirteen months.  There are four wines in the range: a chardonnay, a cabernet sauvignon, a merlot and a vranec.

2006 Limited Edition Chardonnay, fermented and aged in oak barrels, Tikveš Winery, Republic of Macedonia, 13.5%
This has gently oaked pear and peach fruit on the nose.  Rich-ish palate. Very balanced around round, though there’s a nice streak of acidity.  88/100

 


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Last updated: 27 April 2009