Adnan Kutman Öküzgözü Boğazkere
If Turkey has a traditional wine blend it would be Öküzgözü Boğazkere. These two grapes native to Turkey’s eastern provinces (of Elazığ and Diyarbakır respectively) compliment one another. Öküzgözü has bright red fruits and vibrant acidity. Boğazkere adds tannin, structure, power, and savory notes. I’ve drunk quite a few of these blends over the years. Like anything else, some are good, some are not, and some are outstanding. Having had Öküzgözü Boğazkere blends a plenty, very few surprise me anymore. Until I had Kutman’s.
The Adnan Kutman winery sits at the edge of the Sea of Marmara fully on the other side of the country to the grapes’ homes. The winery does not import grapes from the east though. It uses grapes grown in nearby Thrace and the Aegean region-the latter of which has become popular in recent years for Öküzgözü. I managed to get a 2010 vintage of this from Kutman. Despite this winery having a long legacy in Turkey, its wines still fly under the radar. Which means that, as a consumer, you can get really good quality wine from them, often older vintages, for a very reasonable price.
Adnan Kutman Öküzgözü Boğazkere, 2010
The Kutman blend spent 12 months in oak. And them by the time I got it, another nine years in the bottle! I don’t know what a recent vintage of this tastes like, but if it was made as well as this 2010, I do know that it will age well.
Intense garnet on the pour with layers of complex aromas in the bouquet. Old leather and animal/tack room kicked it off followed by plum and mulberry before eucalyptus and wintergreen joined the party. On the palate, cooked blackberry and black mulberry fruit shone trailed by rich milk chocolate and a hint of mint. Lush tannins present in the front melted into mouthwatering acidity. Medium-bodied with moderate alcohol (12.5% abv).
Really very nice.