CRAMA DEMATEI | Prince Matei | Selectii | Anul I | Merlot | Rezerva | #
merlot

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Today we are going to review a single-varietal, yet multi-vintage merlot wine from the famous Dealu Mare region of Romania – Prince Matei Selectii Anul I Merlot Rezerva by Crama DeMatei (formally known as Domeniile Prince Matei). This is a multi-vintage merlot wine, as it is a blend of three separate vintages: 2017, 2018 and 2019, with a meticulous barrel selection from each vintage. Merlot is usually regarded as the underdog to the highly priced cabernet sauvignon or cabernet franc varieties, but make no mistake, merlot wine is first class, as it is more versatile and ripens earlier than both cabernet grapes, responds well to oak ageing and can be grown in both, cool climate and warm climate regions with the same success. As we’ve already mentioned, each vintage has been aged in oak barriques, in order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend. But enough with all 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: medium-deep garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & oaky
fruit character: ripe & overripe

The first impression on the nose is a burst of ripe and overripe red fruit aromas. Think sour cherries and red plums, with a touch of dark cherries adding depth and richness. There’s a touch of oak influence woven throughout, like vanilla bean or cloves, hinting at some extended time spent aging in oak barrels. These oaky notes add some warmth and complexity to the wine’s overall aromatic profile, while in the background, subtle hints of spice emerge, like red pepper and anise, adding another layer of intrigue. Rounding out the experience are some subtle earthy undertones, like freshly tilled clay or loam, which add a touch of rustic charm.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: seedy-crisp

The palate mirrors the nose, offering a wave of ripe red fruit flavors, however these quickly transition to drier, almost dehydrated notes, hinting at a slight oxidation. The oak influence adds a touch of vanilla and baking spice to the mix. Unfortunately, the enjoyment is disrupted by the wine’s overwhelming acidity, which feels slightly aggressive and unbalanced, while the tannins are present and quite noticeable, leaving a slightly rough and bitter-seedy sensation. Still, a more concerning aspect is the alcoholic warmth, which feels overwhelmingly heady and lingers into the aftertaste. The finish is dominated by a seedy-crisp character, with a lingering bitterness. The mouthfeel is angular and slightly disjointed, lacking the smoothness one would expect from a well-crafted merlot wine.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | not worth ageing | drink now or in the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of good to very good quality

Overall, this wine feels a bit too sharp and lacks the roundness and finesse expected from a top-tier merlot wine. While there are some pleasantly-rich, fruity and oaky notes, those are overshadowed by the wine’s angularity, with its overwhelming acidity, prominent tannins, and nuanced alcoholic warmth. While some merlot can handle a touch of rustic charm, this particular wine feels a bit rough around the edges. While it is possible that cellaring this wine could allow its elements to soften and round up slightly (mostly the tannins), the high acidity and alcoholic warmth may continue to be the dominant factors.

//Scoring
CRAMA DEMATEI | Prince Matei | Selectii | Anul I | Merlot | Rezerva | #
variety: merlot
country: Romania
region: Muntenia | Dealu Mare
rating: 92.7
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 92.7 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: Taking into account the wine’s aggressive acidity, seedy tannins and that nuanced alcoholic warmth, we believe it would be best suited for meat dishes with bold flavors that can stand up to the assertive nature of the wine. Grilled pork chops with sweet chili sauce would be a good start, as the richness of the grilled pork would hold up to the bitter-seedy tannins in the wine, while the sweet and spicy chili sauce would complement the slightly dehydrated fruit character and help temper the wine’s high acidity. In the same key, the smoky elements from the grill would complement the earthy hints in the wine, allowing thus the wine’s rich fruit flavors to shine through, while also highlighting the richness of the pork and the spicy-sweet elements of the sauce, to create a lovely interplay of flavours and textures. 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.