Roxanich Rosé 2008, Istria (£22 Pacta Connect, The Vineyard, The VinBin, Market Row Wines)
Has a warm welcoming cooked strawberry richness, lightly perfumed, maturing, but still with perky fruit, fascinating, like red Burgundy with a spicy edge. S

Piquentum Rouge 2009, Istria (£19 Pacta Connect, The Vineyard, The VinBin, Market Row Wines)
Vibrant youngster, with ruddy dark fruit flavours pepped up with floral peppery notes – much in common with wines such as Loire reds, Beaujolais, lighter Côtes du Rhone and Dolcetto. S-

Clai Ottocento Crni 2009, Istria (£35 Pacta Connect, The Vineyard, The VinBin, Market Row Wines)
This is very rich and almost port-like (15.2% alcohol), with a meaty/bretty edge to its overripe dark fruit, notes of vanilla, brown sugar and liquorice and a too-dry finish. Concentrated, yes, but not a style I enjoy or want to encourage. C+