Ivan Dolac Plavac Mali 2021 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 90/100

The Ivan Dolac Plavac Mali from the sun-scorched southern slopes of Hvar Island on the Dalmatian Coast is a bold, full-bodied red crafted from Croatia's most celebrated indigenous grape, a natural cross between Crljenak Kaštelanski and Dobricic that produces wines bigger and more powerful than its famous cousin Zinfandel, aged five years in stainless steel to preserve every nuance of pure, unoaked fruit. It opens with a captivating nose of dark wild cherry, sun-dried blackberry and a whisper of dried Mediterranean herbs, while the full-bodied palate delivers concentrated flavors of ripe mulberry, crushed violet and a savory streak of iron-tinged mineral, all framed by firm, ripe tannins and a long, warming finish. It is bone dry and impressively structured, so serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. The wine is crafted by the skilled winemakers at PZ Svirce, a cooperative with over a century of tradition on Hvar Island, whose Ivan Dolac Barrique holds the historic distinction of being the first certified organic Plavac Mali ever produced in Croatia and is a regular gold medal winner at Biofach Mundus Vini in Germany. The vineyards themselves benefit from a remarkable triple insolation effect, receiving sunlight directly, reflected off the white limestone soils beneath the vines and bounced back again from the shimmering Adriatic Sea below, producing grapes of extraordinary natural concentration and ripeness. Pour it alongside a herb-crusted game roast with roasted root vegetables, where the wine's dark fruit and mineral depth are a seamless match for the richness of the meat, or serve it with a grilled bavette steak topped with sharp aged cheese and a drizzle of herb oil, letting the wine's bold structure and warming finish rise magnificently to meet every bite.

Plavac Mali food pairings: game roasts, sharp cheeses, grilled bavette steak.

Glorious Game Wine

This Ivan Dolac Plavac Mali 2021 was reviewed on March 21, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

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