AVINCIS | Negru de Dragasani | 2019
negru de dragasani
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Today we are going to review a single-varietal negru de dragasani wine from the Dragasani region of Romania – Negru de Dragasani 2019 by Avincis. Negru de Dragasani is an indigenous romanian grape variety, obtained as a hybrid crossing between Negru Vartos and Saperavi varieties back in 1993. Negru de Dragasani has medium vigor and good fertility, resistant to frost and mildew and it produces deeply colored red wines with nuanced black fruits flavours. This wine is one of the few single varietal negru de dragasani wines on the market and, in order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity, it has been aged in oak barrels. The grapes for this wine were sourced from Vila Dobrusa vineyards, situated in the relatively warm Dragasani appellation, on the right bank of the Olt river (the largest tributary of the Danube river in Romania). But enough with all that theory, that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy purple shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & dusty-expressive
fruit character: ripe & overripe
The first impression on the nose is rich and expressive, offering a burst of black fruits, like bitter cherries, dark plums and blackcurrants, followed by a hint of sweetness that suggests some of the fruit might be pushing towards over ripeness. Intriguingly, woven throughout these fruit notes is a nuanced hint of dust, black soil and pencil lead. This hint of earthiness adds a touch of complexity and keeps the fruit from feeling overly sweet or confied. In the background, whispers of spice emerge, offering a touch of warmth that hints at peppercorn, nutmeg and cloves. Some hints of oaky undertones are present as well, but they don’t overwhelm the primary fruit character.
//Palate
sweetness: bone dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: astringent
The palate mirrors the nose, delivering a wave of ripe black fruit flavors that echo the aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries and plums. Hints of earthiness emerge here as well, adding a touch of dusty complexity. The wine’s crisp acidity cuts through the richness of the fruit, yet struggles to keep up with the prominent alcoholic warmth that dominates the palate. The tannins are present and noticeable seedy and feel somewhat coarse rather than grippy, leaving a lingering astringency on the finish. Due to the pronounced alcoholic warmth, the mouthfeel feels firm and bold, with a slightly angular finale.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | needs more time | drink in 2 or 3 years from now
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
Overall, this wine presents itself as a bold and fruit-forward example, boasting aromas of ripe black fruits accented by intriguing earthy dustiness. Despite its full-bodied structure and firm character, the wine feels a bit disjointed at this stage. The noticeable alcoholic warmth and angular mouthfeel suggest a lack of harmony and finesse on the palate. This wine might benefit from additional bottle aging to allow its elements to integrate further and soften some of those rough edges.
//Scoring
AVINCIS | Negru de Dragasani | 2019
variety: negru de dragasani
country: Romania
region: Oltenia | Dragasani
rating: 92.9
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 92.9 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Due to the wine’s full-bodied character, bold tannins, and a touch of earthiness, it would be best suited for rich and flavorful meats, like for example a grilled ribeye steak. The richness of the ribeye, with its marbled fat, would echo with the wine’s astringent tannins and that nuanced alcoholic warmth, while the earthy notes in the wine would resonate with the char from the grill. In the same key, the acidity in the wine would help cut through the fat of the steak, while the wine’s rich fruit character would find harmony with the savouriness of the meat. This pairing would allow the wine’s flavours to shine through without overpowering the tenderness of the steak. Cheers!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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