Exploring Bulgarian Wine (8) Villa Melnik
Villa Melnik is a family-owned winery in Harsovo, in southwest Bulgaria, in the Struma River Valley of the Thracian Valley. It began in 2004 when Nikola and Lubika Zikatanov planted 32 hectares of vineyards. Their current winery is gravity flow and energy efficient, and was built in 2013.
The Struma Valley is a warm, sunny region, and the vines ae planted in sandy soils on south-facing hills. There’s some limestone in the soil, as well as some volcanic deposits. The focus is on local varieties and they have 16 different ones planted, including some local ones. They are the only ones to grow Mavrud in the Struma Valley.
Production is around 250 000 bottles per year, and they are found in the Wine Society and Humble grape in the UK.
THE WINES
Villa Melnik Bergule Viognier Chardonnay 2023 Bulgaria
Two picks are done, one for freshness and the other for intense flavours. This is a fruity style with some pear, peach and then sweet cherry and lemon fruit, with some subtle spiciness and mid-palate richness. 89/100
Villa Melnik Aplauz Sandanski Misket 2023 Bulgaria
12.5% alcohol. Grapey, bright and fruity with nice freshness and lively citrus and table grape flavours. Fruity and expressive with a slight pithy edge. 90/100
Villa Melnik Orange Wine 2022 Bulgaria
This is Viognier and Keratsuda. Bright lemony fruit with some lime and marmalade, showing some structure and fresh acidity. Juicy and focused with a spicy edge to the fruit. Bright and expressive. 90/100
Villa Melnik Bergulé Rosé 2023 Bulgaria
Supple and bright with juicy mandarin fruit and fine spices, with an appealing stony edge. Dry with lovely balance and a sense of delicacy. Stylish. 90/100
Villa Melnik Orange Wine 2023 Bulgaria
Very floral and bright with nice peach, mandarin and spice nose with a hint of mint. The palate has nice savoury spicy grip with core of sweet citrus and peach, as well as some melon. 90/100
Villa Melnik Rare Varieties Shiroka Melnik 2019 Bulgaria
This is Shiroka Melnik, growing as bush vines. Rich, ripe cherry and berry fruits. Pure with a nice intensity showing a bit of tannin. Lush but with nice definition, and some nice sour cherry and spice on the finish, with nice tannins. 92/100
Villa Melnik Rare Varieties Melnik Jubilee 1300 2021Bulgaria
Lovely weight here: shows ripe, supple black cherry and plum with nice grip. Has a savoury sappiness under the ripe fruit. A fleshy red with really nice balance. 92/100
Villa Melnik Aplauz Melnik 55 Reserve 2020 Bulgaria
Supple, sweet and lively with cherry and raspberry fruit, showing nice texture. Sleek and supple with lovely ripe fruit and a nice tangy bitter finish. Really good. 91/100
