ET CETERA | Cabernet Franc | 2018
cabernet franc

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Tonight we are going to review a single varietal cabernet franc wine from the famous Stefan-Voda region – Cabernet Franc 2018 by Et Cetera. The ‘other cabernet’ grape, cabernet franc is the parent grape for the two famous international varieties: cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It is less intense and softer than cabernet sauvignon and it ripens much earlier, and for this reason it is planted as an insurance grape against cabernet sauvignon failure to ripen properly, mostly in colder climates. It is also much more resistant to winter cold and frost than merlot, which makes it quite a commodity, especially in moderate climates. One thing that makes cabernet franc unique is that it can’t hide its nature – it has always been a bit more peppery, savory and leaner as compared to its pedigree children, due to the higher levels of pyrazines. This particular wine has been aged for 6 months in oak and is one of the few single varietal cabernet franc wines on the market. That said, 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
concentration: pale
colour: ruby
clarity: hazy
hue/rim: ruby

//Olfactory
intensity: powerful
fruit profile: red fruits
__red fruits: sweet cherry | wild cherry | red plum | cranberry | red currant | pomegranate | goji
fruit character: ripe

//Flavor
non fruit: floral | spice | oak | sweet
__floral: peonies | lavender
__spice: nutmeg
__oak: sweet wood | sweet tobacco
__sweet: cranberry candy | berberry candy | sour cherry candy
__wood: new / light roast

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: med(+)
tannin: med(-)
__grip: fine
body: light & lean
balance: fair
__dominant: acidity
complexity: simple

//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits
fruit character: ripe
non fruit: sweet
finish: med(+)
aftertaste: appealing

//Scoring
ET CETERA | Cabernet Franc | 2018
variety: cabernet franc
country: Moldova
region: Stefan Voda
rating: 91.1

//Conclusion
maturity: on the rise
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova and, with a total of 91.1 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.

Verdict: this is a very fine and explosive cabernet franc wine indeed – fruity-candied, light and lean – a wine that is still on the rise, yet very close to its prime form – drink now or in the next 12-18 months. This is a rich, round and quite supple wine, as it tastes smooth and opulent, with mouth-watering acidity and just a touch of alcoholic warmth on the mouthfeel this is a real crowd-pleaser of a wine – one that maybe lacks just a bit of structure and complexity. This is a very intriguing and flamboyant wine that is made in a fruit-forward, explosive style, a wine that is meant to be enjoyed young. Needless to mention that the variety itself is hardly recognisable in here, as the wine is all about up-frot richness rather than structure. Just get one and enjoy!
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