In fact the best wine on offer by far is an oak aged, thoroughly rancio Dessert Melnik 1964 from Damianitza just over the border from Greece which would sell for a fortune if labelled Banyuls.

Uniqato Rubin is another good wine with a velvetiness that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, made from the scented Bulgarian 1940s crossing of Nebbiolo and Syrah. With a memorable name like that it could catch on.

Brilliant! Not atall what I expected from the Melnik  Refined, with gorgeous long fine tannins, dark berries and maybe, just maybe some chocolate. The blend really takes the edge off the shiraz and makes this a great 'right - now' wine, but it'll probably hold up over a few years too. 

Awesome.Who would've thought that a Bulgarian wine would be so good. Deep dark garnet hue. Plums and ripe red fruits on the nose & palate. Medium bodied. Tannins are young - better in time. Worth trying