Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, Rahovec Valley (Kosovo) Vranac 2018

 Kosovo’s wine country, nestled between Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia, doesn’t have much name recognition outside of the region, though it’s been making wine for some 2,000 years.  However, Kosovo is steadily rebuilding its wine industry after the collapse of Yugoslavia and the upheaval of the war with Serbia.  Stone Castle, a family-owned and largest wine producer in Kosovo, is leading the restoration of the country’s strong winemaking tradition that was largely lost during decades of conflict.  Their Vranac, the Balkans flagship grape, is full-bodied, rich, and structured with flavors of black cherry, cassis, vanilla, dark chocolate, and spice.  The tannins are round, and the finish shows brilliant length and clarity.  The wine demonstrates that Kosovo wine has not only survived but is also beginning to thrive.