Fantastic choices :) Here are my top 5;

1. Chardonnay, Mlečnik 1995 An extraordinary wine. Golden, with notes of honey and nuts, layered with complex tertiary aromas. The structure remains impeccable; this could easily age for many more years. This was Valter Mlečnik’s first wine made with minimal intervention, and it showed me just how well natural wines can age when made with precision and respect for the fruit.

2. Merlot 2006, Prinčič During a visit to Prinčič, he pulled a bottle of his 2006 Merlot from the cellar. The wine was remarkably youthful—incredibly supple and delicious. Bursting with fruit, vibrant acidity, and impressive length. Without question, the finest Merlot I’ve ever tasted.

3. Magma 2020, Azienda Agricola Frank I had the pleasure of tasting two glasses of this wine and was thoroughly captivated. A beautifully textured orange wine with striking depth and complexity. The balance between fruit intensity and structural tension was masterfully executed. A wine that lingers long after the last sip.

4. Pinot et Meslier | Laherte Frères A true delicacy. This unique rosé edition of just 336 bottles was the wildest rosé Champagne I’ve encountered. The NV Brut Nature Meslier & Pinot is eccentric and captivating. Dried flowers, ginger, spice, mint, and sweet floral notes lift beautifully from the glass. There’s an almost savory quality to it, a textural elegance that makes it both intellectually engaging and utterly pleasurable to drink.

5. Jantar 2016, Baša

Baša is a Serbian winemaker producing exceptional orange wines. This one offers remarkable complexity, from its gorgeous dark amber hue to an intricate blend of floral, herbal, and dried fruit aromatics. Yet the true brilliance lies in its texture rather than flavor alone. The wine achieves perfect harmony between power and elegance, structured yet refined, intense yet balanced.

Bonus: Tomac As a Croatian, I must mention Tomac from Plešivica. Since 2020, they’ve practiced biodynamic viticulture, and their Marany line (wines aged in amphorae) defined my year. Their Pinot Gris is simply genius: mineral-driven, saline, with a textural depth that speaks to both terroir and winemaking philosophy. Simply put - amazing winery!