Vinica Zagreus Mavrud 2020 [Bulgaria / Red / Full-bodied]

■ Appearance: An opaque, deep ruby red with purple and garnet reflections.

■ Aroma: Luxurious and explosive aromas of dried plum, black cherry jam, and dark chocolate, gracefully layered with sweet tobacco, vanilla, and roasted nuts from careful oak barrel aging.

■ Palate: Powerful and voluminous, yet surprisingly velvety smooth. The rich, concentrated sweetness of fruit from the air-drying (appassimento) process is perfectly balanced with firm tannins and a long, balsamic finish.

Zagreus Winery: A Visionary Producer
Located in the heart of the Thracian Lowland in Bulgaria, Zagreus is dedicated to organic farming. They are masters at reviving and elevating indigenous Bulgarian grape varieties, proving that the ancient soils of the Balkans can produce world-class wines with depth and complexity.

Mavrud is an ancient indigenous Bulgarian grape variety with thick skins, revered as the pride of Thrace. While known for being exceptionally difficult to cultivate, patient nurturing yields deeply colored, tannic wines capable of aging for decades. Zagreus has redefined the potential of Bulgarian red wine. Their "Vinica" series has become an international benchmark as one of Bulgaria's finest wines, reintroducing the Thracian Lowland to avid wine collectors worldwide.

A wine with such extraction and bold character demands dishes with deep, umami-rich, and caramelized flavors.

• ■ Roasted Lamb Shank – The wine's intense tannins and dark fruit flavors beautifully complement the rich, melting fat of the lamb.
• ■ Braised Pork Belly (Kakuni) – The deep, sweet and savory flavors of traditional Japanese soy sauce and mirin perfectly harmonize with the chocolatey notes from the air-dried grapes.
• ■ Aged Hard Cheeses (Pecorino or Gorgonzola) – Mavrud's concentrated jammy notes create a perfect balance with the sharp saltiness of well-aged cheeses.

Serving Temperature: 16℃〜18℃ (Enjoy at this temperature range to bring out its full richness)

Thracian Lowland, Plovdiv Region

Situated between the Rhodope Mountains and the Maritsa River, this region boasts a continental climate with incredibly hot, dry summers and long autumns, creating an ideal environment for the temperamental Mavrud grape to fully ripen. The dark, clay-rich soils retain essential moisture for the vines, imparting an earthy character and structure to the wine.