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

 Vranc (sometimes written “Vranac”) is a grape indigenous to the Balkan region.  If Stone Castle’s version is typical of what the Vranc grape can offer, I say, “Bring on more!”  Neither in its aromas or flavors does this wine seem particularly exotic or unfamiliar.  On the contrary, it‘s simply an approachable, tasty and fairly complex red wine.  Darkly colored, medium bodied, and with a round, somewhat silky, texture it is pleasantly fruity and balanced by just the right amount of acidity.  The wine’s name is a tribute to Gjergi Kastrioti, a 15th century Albanian feudal lord who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.