DIVUS WINERY | Rará Neagrá | 2022
rara neagra

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Today we are going to review another single varietal rara neagra wine that comes from the relatively cool, Codru vine growing area of Moldova – Rará Neagrá 2022 by Divus Winery. 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, this wine has been aged for various amounts of time in oak barrels of three different types and produced in a limited edition of only 1200 bottles. 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: pale & transparent garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & savory
fruit character: ripe

The wine’s nose opens up with a burst of rich and savory notes, immediately grabbing your attention. Ripe berry fruits, which hints at redcurrants and cranberries, although present, yet those are not the stars of the show, instead, the emphasis is on pronounced savory aromas, like cured meats, dried herbs and brown olive. These savory elements create a complex and intriguing aromatic profile. Some nuanced oaky (coconut & cloves) and herbaceous (wormwood & tomato leaf) influences are evident in the background, hinting at time spent aging in oak barrels, complemented by earthy notes that suggest a sense of place. Subtle spicy undertones add another layer of complexity to the wine’s already captivating aromatic profile.

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

The palate follows the nose, offering a wave of ripe fruit flavors with a core of red fruits and berry fruits. These are joined by hints of savory and earthy elements, however the fruit here feels a touch restrained, overshadowed by the wine’s crisp acidity which cuts through the richness of the fruit. The tannins feel slightly green on the tongue, creating a seedy and astringent texture. An overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth adds power and feels slightly disjointed from the wine’s overall balance. The finish is dominated by a bitter-seedy character from the tannins, with lingering hints of fruit, earth, and spice. All of that creates an ample mouthfeel with a lean and seedy-tart sensation towards the end of the palate.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | do not age | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a rara neagra wine that exhibits a very nice varietal character, but the oak influence is a touch too pronounced, masking any potential expression of terroir. The wine’s crisp acidity and slightly green tannins forms a slightly bitter and somewhat austere mouthfeel, which clashes with the ample body and lean richness. While cellaring might allow the elements to soften and integrate a bit more into the wine’s body, the future potential remains uncertain. This wine might appeal to those who enjoy a supple and opulent expression of rara neagra grape variety, leaning more towards a pinot noir style.

//Scoring
DIVUS WINERY | Rará Neagrá | 2022
variety: rara neagra
country: Moldova
region: Codru
rating: 92.1
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This is definitely a fine 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: Due to this wine’s emphasis on savory and earthy character, balanced by its crisp acidity, we believe it would be best suited for a richly flavored and well-marbled cut of meat, like for example seared duck breast with a black cherry sauce. The richness of the duck would stand up well to the wine’s ample body and green tannins, while the bitter-sweet notes of the black cherry sauce would complement the rich fruit character of the wine and cut through all those savory and oaky undertones. This pairing would allow the wine’s savory and earthy character to shine through, while the richness of the duck and the bitter-sweet cherry sauce would create a delightful and well-rounded tasting experience. Enjoy!

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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.