Calusari, Merlot, Viile Timisului, Romania, 2023

Producer Profile

Back in 1988, three families decided to invest in a winery in Romania, starting with 650 hectares of slightly unloved vineyards and a rusty, once state-owned winery.

Yet Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira, have turned the Cramele Recas Estate into the most successful winery in Romania. Recas are now recognised globally for their impressive scale and breadth of fascinating wines, including natural and orange wine from organic grapes. Despite the scale the emphasis is on making good wines that over-deliver, and as a result they’ve struck on a magic formula that has seen sales and demand boom. Vineyards are a combination of evolved plantings from 1447 and more recent planting, whilst the winery has seen significant investment and boasts state of the art facilities where innovation thrives. Recas are in every way a modern, dynamic winery, whose open-minded approach and quality sets them apart … a winery you really can’t ignore.

Viticulture

This wine reflects the passion and expertise of a producer committed to showcasing Romania's unique terroir and winemaking heritage.

Winemaking

Crushing and full destemming on all parcels, fermentation in stainless steel with a controlled yeast inoculation at 25-32degC, about 5-7days on skins with gentle pumpovers. Pressed with some sugar still present for soft tannins. The ferment finishes off skins, racked off gross lees as soon as dry followed by natural malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Note

Cherry red with violet reflexes and exceptional clarity. The intense aromas of red fruits (cherry, currant) lead on to a lovely juicy smooth palate with crisp crunchy acidity, medium body, round active tannins and with a slightly spicy finish.

Food Matching

Ripened and semi-hard cheeses, pork or veal dishes cooked in the oven or grilled, pastrami.