Yusta Bursa Blend 2017
Yusta Bursa is one of Turkey’s newest wineries which debuted its first vintage (2017) last year. With vineyards and the winery based in Bursa-“just” across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul it is the first winery to put down roots in Bursa. A family run winery n the business side, it is one of the many here to use Turkey-based French wine making consultant Jean Luc Colin.
Bursa generally has a reputation for being a very conservative city. Tourism (both domestic and international) centers around Ulu Cami (the Great Mosque) and several religious tombs. However, more recently, the city has garnered a reputation as a foodie haven. Dinner and wine clubs and events as well as bars and restaurants draw people in even from Istanbul. A four to five hour roundtrip is no joke but it’s worth it.
Full disclosure – I received this bottle as a sample but all opinions are my own.
Yusta Bursa Blend, 2017
Yusta Bursa produces a couple blends and I recently wrote about its Bordeaux-inspired blend. However, it is this one they consider to be their flagship. Aged for 20 months in new French oak, the blend includes four international grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 30%
- Merlot 30%
- Shiraz 30%
- Malbec 20%
Medium opaque ruby on the pour the oak was instantly and unmistakably identifiable. Lots of breathing space needed here. Intense blackberry and currants on the nose with vanilla, black pepper, and hints of clove and chocolate. Palate flavors showed a similar intensity of jam, jam, jam! Mixed berry flavors dominated with threads of spicy black pepper and rich milk chocolate. Initially a bit hot (I mean, 14.5% abv and all) it opened to reveal a more balanced and full-bodied character with medium acidity and tannins.
I paired this with pan seared salmon and a green lentil salad with marinated zucchini, tomatoes, and roasted red peppers.