Saranta Öküzgözü in Thrace
Located in Turkey’s Thrace, just a stone’s throw from several other wineries on the Trakya Bağ Rotası (Thracian Wine Route), Saranta produces quality wines under two labels: Saranta and Chateau Murou. The winery possess several features that set it apart; one such is the Saranta Öküzgözü.
Saranta sources grapes from its own vineyards in Kırklareli as well as from other growers in the Thracian region. The origin of grapes used in member wines has been a point of contention among several of the Trakya Bağ Rotası member wineries. Some of the members feel that you cannot call a wine “Thracian” if the grapes do not come from Thrace. A fair point in my opinion and one that is certainly echoed by most of the world’s wine appellation systems. Saranta considers it a point of pride that its Öküzgözü grapes originate in its own, onsite vineyards rather than being trucked across the considerably large country from Elazığ.
Saranta Öküzgözü 2016 Tasting Notes
I have to say that Öküzgözü has not always been my favorite Turkish grape. When made clumsily, grown in the wrong place, or traumatized by being jostled across the country from Elazığ vineyards to wineries, the resulting wine can be unpleasantly thin and acidic. When I do drink Öküzgözü I stick to Elazığ-based producers like Eskibağlar and Kuzeybağ. However, with its Thrace-grown Öküzgözü, Saranta makes an excellent argument for what this grape can do outside of its home base!
Bright, medium-opaque cherry color in the glass, the Saranta Öküzgözü breathed candy-sweet scented fresh red fruits and spice before opening to earthy, black pepper, and black mulberry aromas. Fresh cherry and strawberry flavors accented with spice, black pepper, and a subtle earthiness on the palate reminded me a bit of Southern Rhone. Medium low body with a moderate 13% abv and racy acidity.
I was really surprised by how much I liked this. The Saranta Öküzgözü presents a different side of this grape and is well worth checking out.