CASTEL MIMÍ | Rară Neagră | 2021
rara neagra

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Today we are going to review a single varietal rara neagra wine that comes from the relatively cool, Codru IGP of Moldova – Rară Neagră 2021 by Castel Mimí. Rara Neagra, which is also known as babeasca neagra in Romania, is an indigenous grape variety to the historic Greater Moldova region and is famous for its ability to highlight different aspects of terroir. The wines made from rara neagra grapes are highly romantic, light in body, with velvety tannins and high natural acidity. Some wine even go as far and compare them to the wines made from pinot noir grapes, mostly in terms of structure and finesse. In order to add a layer of extra complexity, the wine has been aged between 8 months in french oak barriques. The symbol on the label represents feminine strength, it is an old folk-inspired symbol known as ‘mâini pe șolduri‘, which means ‘hands on hips‘ often depicted on traditional blouses – a reference to both, the strength of hard working women of Moldova and the grape variety’s old name ‘babeasca neagra‘, which translates as ‘old woman’s‘. Another curiosity about this wine is that on the label there’s no mention of the wine region or IGP, which means that this is not an appellation wine, but rather a generic one, made of grapes sourced from all over the country. 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-to-pale garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & fruity-vegetal
fruit character: underripe & ripe

On the nose, the wine presents a quite curious and somewhat intriguing aromatic profile. The first impression offers a mix of red fruit aromas, with some notes that are fresh and high-toned, like tart cherries or cranberries, hinting at underripe grapes. These mingle with other red fruit notes that are more ripe, suggesting some variation in grape ripeness at harvest. Woven throughout these elements are pronounced vegetal hints, like wormwood and tomato leaf, adding a layer of complexity that some might find herbaceous or green in character. In the background, subtle earthy and savory notes round out the overall aromatic experience, while whispers of oak-infused aromas, like anise or rooibos tea, suggests that the wine had spent some time in oak barrels.

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

The palate mirrors the nose with a mix of ripe and underripe red fruit flavors. These fruit flavors are accompanied by noticeable vegetal hints, which some might find pleasantly herbaceous while others might find it overshadowing the fruit. The high acidity is the most striking feature on the palate – it’s bright and almost bracing, cutting through the wine but feeling a touch aggressive. The tannins are slightly green in character, thus creating a harsh texture. A touch of alcoholic warmth adds heat, which is not entirely integrated and disrupts the wine’s overall balance. The finish is dominated by a seedy-green aftertaste, mostly from the tannins and vegetal notes, with lingering hints of tart fruit and earthiness. The mouthfeel is austere, almost heady due to the high alcohol, and angular.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in within 1 year
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a nice babeasca neagra wine that exhibits some varietal typicity with its red fruit character and vegetal notes, yet in its current state, it lacks the harmony and finesse that a fine rara neagra wine can achieve. The wine’s high acidity, green tannins, and noticeable alcoholic warmth create a rather angular and disjointed sensation on the palate. While cellaring might allow the elements to soften and integrate a touch more into the wine’s body, the future potential remains uncertain. This wine might appeal to those who enjoy a rustic and unpolished style, but for most drinkers, there are better options available in this cathegory.

//Scoring
CASTEL MIMÍ | Rară Neagră | 2021
variety: rara neagra
country: Moldova
region: Codru
rating: 92.1
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This is definitely a nice wine of Moldova and, with a total of 92.1 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: Judging by the wine’s emphasis on tart red fruits with noticeable vegetal hints, we believe it would be best suited for a dish that can stand up to the wine’s exuberant acidity and angular profile, like for example white bean and sausage ragout. The richness of the sausages would hold up well to the wine’s austerity and green tannins, while the high acidity in the wine would cut through the fat of the meat. In the same key, the chunky tomato ragout would echo the vegetal notes in the wine, and the white beans would add a touch of creaminess and texture to soften the wine’s austere character. 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.