CRAMA GIRBOIU | Ambra | Sarba Sweet Wine | 2020
sarba

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Today we are going to review single varietal sarba dessert wine that comes from eastern Romania, more precisely from the Cotesti vineyards in the Vrancea county – Ambra Sarba Sweet Wine 2020 by Crama Gîrboiu. Sarba is a semi-aromatic, white grape variety that was created by SCDVV Odobesti in Vrancea county in 1972 by natural fecundation of italian riesling (welschriesling) and tamaioasa romaneasca. This grape variety usually makes dry and refreshing wines, with medium acidity and fine floral and herbal aromas of white roses, basil and linden flowers, with some subtle hints of honey. This particular wine is made from partially raisinated grapes, thus they become sweeter due to dehydration, as a result, sugar content increases and the juice becomes more concentrated. In order to enhance the overall complexity of the final wine and deliver a layer of extra creaminess on the palate, it has been aged for 14 months in new, french oak barrels. That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to our tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: medium-deep gold color
clarity: bright golden hues at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & honeyed
fruit character: jammy & dehydrated

The nose on this dessert wine is an explosion of sweet aromas, with a delightful jambalaya of white cherry jam and dried figs, followed by a nuanced wave of honeyed delight. Underneath notes of dehydrated fruits are peaking through, think sun-dried apricots and dates, adding extra complexity to the wine’s already rich aromatic profile. After a while, some lovely floral note emerge as well, tinged with hints of overripe peaches and nectarines, creating a truly captivating and inviting bouquet.

//Palate
sweetness: extra sweet | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: low | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: jammy-sweet

The palate is a delightful surprise, as despite its jammy and dehydrated fruit character – think candied apricots and quince jam, alongside a wave of sweet preserves – the wine’s crisp acidity cuts through beautifully through all that sweetness, keeping the wine lively and balanced. While there’s a touch of alcoholic warmth, it doesn’t overpower the mouthfeel, forming a delightful, jammy-sweet aftertaste. This wine dances between richness and refreshment, making it a true crowd-pleaser.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or in the next 3 to 4 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a quite appealing wine of premium quality

This dessert wine is a honeyed symphony of sweet aromas, boasting a captivating melange of jammy and dehydrated fruits. The palate follows suit, offering a delightful interplay between richness and refreshment, forming a very rich and nuanced mouthfeel, with an almost oily texture. While undeniably delicious, this wine lacks just a hint of harmony and finesse on the palate. It would be truly exceptional with a touch more balance between the overwhelming richness and the nuanced alcoholic warmth.

//Scoring
CRAMA GIRBOIU | Ambra | Sarba Sweet Wine | 2020
variety: sarba
country: Romania
region: Vrancea | Cotesti
rating: 93.5
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and with a total of 93.5 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: Based on the wine’s pronounced sweet character and its crisp acidity, we believe it would be a perfect match for a cheese board featuring blue cheese and creamy goat cheese, so that the sweetness of the wine would counter-balance the pungency of the cheese, while its crisp acidity would cut through the creaminess of the cheese. Alternatively, for those with a sweet tooth, pair this wine with fruit tart or a slice of buttery pound cake drizzled with honey. The richness of the wine would complement the flavours of the desserts, while the wine’s crisp acidity would harmonize with the sweet notes in the cakes. 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.