CHATEAU DÉNOVIE | Rouge de Dénovie | Cuveé Grand Vintage | 2015
cabernet sauvignon | merlot | feteasca neagra

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Today we are going to review a wine blend from the Valul lui Traian region that is vinified in a classic Bordeaux style – Rouge de Dénovie Cuveé Grand Vintage 2015 by Chateau Dénovie. This is a blend of two Bordeaux varieties and one indigenous variety – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and feteasca neagra, where cabernet sauvignon forms the main body and structure, merlot adds smoothness and depth, while feteasca neagra brings the much desired local character to the final blend. This wine is the winemaker’s flagship blend (cuvée), a wine that has been aged in oak barrels in order to gain more complexity. 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
colour: pale ruby
clarity: clear garnet rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich  & mature
fruit profile: red fruits
__red fruits: sour cherry | red plum | red currant
fruit character: overripe & dried

//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | earthy | other
__spice: red pepper | cloves
__oak: tree bark | cherry tree wood | sun-dried wood
__earthy: brown soil | clay
__other: dried cranberry | dried red cherry | dried red plum
__wood: old / medium roasted

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: high
tannin: med(-)
__grip: bitter-green
balance: fair
__dominant: alcohol
body: austere | medium body

//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits
fruit character: overripe & dried
non fruit: spice
finish: medium
aftertaste: austere & bitter

//Scoring
CHATEAU DÉNOVIE | Rouge de Dénovie | Cuveé Grand Vintage | 2015
variety: cabernet sauvignon | merlot | feteasca neagra
country: Moldova
region: Valul lui Traian
rating: 89.4

//Conclusion
maturity: past its prime | on the decline
verdict: fair| not bad
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This is definitely a fair wine of Moldova and, with a total of 89.4 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 fine example of a wine that is already past its prime form, with clear hints of fast approaching decline, therefore we would highly recommend to drink it today rather than tomorrow. The wine feels austere and hot, mostly due to the overwhelming alcool warmth on the mouthfeel, sharp and slightly wide. In its current state the wine lacks harmony and balance between its elements, as it tastes bitter-seedy, woody and angular, with a fruity-earthy profile and some subtle spicy hints in the background. The wine also displays some hints of oxidation on the nose and overall it feels off the balance –  we believe this wine lacks some structure and character on the plate. Our recommendation is to pair this wine with meaty dishes that are rich in flavour, like for example an asian peppery steak or some barbequed pork ribs, so that the wine’s angularity will be counterbalanced by the meat’s 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.