Solevari Reserve, Fetească Neagră, DOC, Viile Timisului, Romania, 2021

Producer Profile

Back in 1988, three families decided to invest in a winery in Romania, starting with 650ha of slightly unloved vineyards and a rusty, formerly state-owned winery. Today, Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira have turned the Cramele Recas Estate into the most successful winery in Romania.

Recas are now recognized globally for their impressive scale and breadth of fascinating wines, including natural and orange wines made from organic grapes. Despite the increase in scale, the emphasis remains on making quality wines that over-deliver – a magic formula that has recently seen sales boom. The vineyards are a combination of old vines and more recent plantings, and the winery has seen significant investment in state of the art facilities. Recas are in every way a modern, dynamic winery whose open-minded approach and quality sets them apart… a winery you can’t ignore.

Viticulture

The grapes come from yield reduced vines which average 10 to 15 years. Early in the season, workers go through the vineyards and individually cut a percentage of the grapes from the vine and throw them on the vineyard floor. This process is more painful for the viticulturist than the grape vine, which benefits by being able to put more of its resources into the remaining grapes, to give riper and more flavoursome grapes.

Winemaking

Grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed and pressed at 11 days. Fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 28 C on the skins. Natural malolactic fermentation with medium toasted French oak.

Tasting Note

What a massive revelation. A brilliant spicy nose of black pepper, black berry, black currant and red cherry. A bit pinot noiry! Medium bodied with rich, grippy, very dry tannins but beautifully balanced acidity. A hint of coffee on the finish.

Food Matching

Pasta alla Norma, bolognaise, game and black fruit desserts.