We tasted Rajnski Rizling (Rhine Riesling) wines from the 2022 to 2016 vintages of the Ludbreg winery Stručić.
The nose is refined and of moderate intensity. Varietal fruit aromas are lifted by barely perceptible petrol notes, just as befits a three-year-old Riesling. The palate follows the nose seamlessly; the wine is very juicy, with pronounced freshness. It is medium to full-bodied, showing very directly and without restraint. The finish is long and memorable, with a light bitterness at the close of the sip that does not distract but rather adds to the wine’s overall complexity.
A rich, layered nose. In style it recalls the famed Mosel Rieslings, with just enough residual sugar for the acidity to allow perfect balance. The palate is full, mingling peach and ripe apple, while a discreet marzipan note emerges on the aftertaste. Beautifully warm and soft, in full form, yet with great ageing potential.
A sensational Riesling that everyone present at the tasting agreed was the finest of the flight. Still a lively, yellow-green colour, it turns lazily in the glass. The refined nose alternates between peach, apricot and ripe pear, with a touch of tertiary notes characteristic of aged Riesling. The palate is powerful, of pronounced structure and high extract, irresistibly recalling Alsace Rieslings in style. Vibrant, marked acidity underpins the freshness that is the backbone of this wine. At the close of the sip a pleasant citrus bitterness of grapefruit peel appears, lifting the complexity further. Despite its maturity and advanced readiness, it retains great ageing potential.
At first a closed wine, but with time it opens beautifully, and with every swirl of the glass offers an intriguing transformation — from aromas of banana, through yellow meadow flowers, to yellow stone fruit, joined by pronounced tertiary notes. This is a wine that calls for understanding and patience, but true Riesling lovers will delight in it. The impression is that it has reached its peak and should be drunk now.
A direct, uncompromising wine that defies time. Of a lively greenish colour, as if from the latest vintage. Varietal fruit aromas are still present, but without the tertiary notes that most often appear in aged Rieslings. The palate is rich and finely drawn, exceptionally fresh thanks to its acid structure. The malic acidity is pronounced, yet lends no coarseness — rather firmness and freshness. The finish is long and memorable, with a touch of pleasant bitterness. Although entering its tenth year, it shows no sign of decline. 
In the Ludbreg vineyards, Sanja and Tomislav Stručić craft a very fine Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine — a silver medallist at this year’s Decanter judging — along with elegant still single-varietal wines from Graševina (a widely planted Croatian white), Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Rajnski Rizling and Muškat Žuti (Yellow Muscat), as well as blends with playful names such as Poštenjak.
13.09.2025.
