2017 Budureasca Noble 5, Romania, Muntenia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, Feteasca Neagra from Romania.  It is quite a nice wine and good value for a serious red wine.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, sour cherries, spices and some dark chocolate.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, cherries, chocolate with good acidity.  This is complex, deep with some layering that unwind in the glass.  It may still benefit from a few more years of cellaring but should drink well for another ten years.  This drinks well on i

2015 Cramele Recaş Cuvée Uberland, Romania,Transylvania, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Romania.  Deep garnet in color, flat, and opaque.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, and some cassis, along with some smoke.  There is a slight stewed raisin quality to the fruit which is intentional.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, some char, some black pepper and some raisin especially on the finish.  A resemblance to an Amarone with a bit less acidity.  This seems like it should drink well for the next eight to ten years.  It will work well with meats or fowl in a wine reduction sauce and would be nice at

2016 Cramele Halewood Burebista Fetească Neagră/Shiraz, Romania, Dealurile Munteneiei, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 70% Fetească Neagră and 30% Shiraz(Syrah) from Romania.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with cherries, black olives and a slight anise note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, tart cherries with some complexity.  Cherries and some black cherries.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for another five to seven years.  It drinks nicely on its own but will work better with food.  A hearty beef stew would work well.  

2016 Serve Fetească Neagră Terra Romana Cuvée Guy de Poix, Romania, Dealu Mare, wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

Made from the Fetească Neagră grape in Romania, this is a really interesting wine.  Ruby in color with slight browning, mostly opaque and bright.  Lovely nose with black cherries, char, some volatile acidity which really  brought out the aromatics.  Some balsamic comes up with air.  Medium to full bodied.  Lighter but non-obtrusive tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some chocolate and char and also a meaty quality.  Layers of complexity.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  The wine seems close to maturity but may benefit from further cellaring.  Either way, it should drink well for

2011 Cotnari XL Cotnari, Romania, Moldova, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

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.  

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

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
87
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

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

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
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

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

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
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.

2019 Cramele Recaş Pinot Grigio Dreambird, Romania, Colinele, Dobrogei, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$9.00USD

This is a varietally correct, solid Pinot Grigio, that easily could have been from Italy.   Silver in color with copper hues, clear and bright.  The nose has minerals with a touch of cantaloupe.  Viscous with ever so slight residual sugar.  Very refreshing.  On the palate, lots of minerals with yellow grapefruit and lemon.  Long finish.  This is a great value if you are able to find this at retail.  Drink over the next year.  Nice on its own and will work with lighter foods.   

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