2011 Cotnari XL Cotnari, Romania, Moldova, Wine Review

A blend of Frâncușă, Fetească Albă, and Tămâioasă Românească. This wine is off-dry. At age 10, it is very interesting and it would be great to try it a bit younger. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has this unusual quality which I describe as "orange berries" (and yes, such a thing probably doesn't exist). Sort or tart orange zest. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is just perceptibly sweet. Nice minerals. A bit of orange citrus. Nice finish. This is probably better on its own than with food but soft cheeses would work.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2011

Current Price:

$8.00USD

2011 Cotnari Grasa de Cotnari Semi Sweet, Romania, Moldova, Cotnari, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$8.00USD

This is a semi-sweet dessert wine from the obscure Grasa de Cotnari grape in the region of Cotari from the winery called Cotari. They actually have been making wines here since the 1800's. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with honey, slight vanilla and herbal notes. Light bodied. On the palate, the honey comes thru. It is slightly sweet with moderate acidity. This bottle at age ten seems to be showing some age although the sweet versions of this wine apparently last for decades. Still for the price, this drinks easy and is a nice value. It works well with a sele

2013 Senator Prodimpex Şarbă Monşer Romania, Moldova, Dealurile Huşiului, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$9.00USD

The label says this is for "fat cats and aristocrats". The name of the grape is Şarbă which is a cross between the ancient Romanian grape Tămâioasă Românească and Italian Riesling created in 1972. Deep golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has minerals and sea air. Maybe some peaches as well. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is interesting. There is a burnt orange quality and a bit of an herbal note, Clean with a moderate finish. This seems like it is probably past prime at age 8 but still has something to offer. It would be great to try something a bit younger. It will w

2011 Cotnari Feteasca Alba Semi Sweet, Romania, Moldova, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$8.00USD

This is semi-sweeet wine from Romania. Golden in color, clear and bright. Despite the age (ten years from vintage) there is still a very floral quality to the wine but also showing some dried flowers, slight honey and a hint of peach. Medium bodied. Sweet but not overtly. Slightly viscous. On the palate, this has a honeyed quality with slight apricots. Moderate acidity. Light bodied. It drinks easily and paired well with soft cheeses but also a peach cobbler. Still drinking well at age 10, it did seem a bit past prime.

2018 Jidvei Fetească Regală, Romania, Transylvania, Târnave, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$8.00USD

The Fetească Regală grape is a naturally occurring cross that was originally discovered in Târnave in the 1920's. Silver in color with some copper hues and slight gold, clear and bright. The nose has minerals, slight decayed peach, and acacia flowers. Medium bodied and slightly viscous. On the palate, peaches and minerals. Long finish. The first reaction on tasting this is that it is different. Unique. It takes some adjustment, but it is enjoyable and a nice value.

2018 Cramele Recaş Solo Quinta Recas, Romania, Transylvania, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$26.00USD

According to the label, this is a white blend of Chardonnay, Feteasca Regala, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Ottonel but also Cadarcă (known as Kadarka in Hungary) which is a red varietal. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is tight but with air opens up a bit. Some cantaloupe and a bit of minerality. Slightly oily texture. Bold flavors on the palate. This is dry with minerals, limes, melon and slight cherries. A long finish. This is a really serious wine that seems like it should hold up for five to seven years. There is a nice complexity to it now on its own but should also

2011 Cotnari XL Cotnari, Romania, Moldova, Wine Review

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