ET CETERA | Carmenere | 2018
carmenère
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Today we are going to review a wine that is held in high regards amongst the local wine enthusiasts – Carmenere 2018 by Et Cetera. This is a single varietal carmenère wine that is part of the winemaker’s ‘white label’ premium line and it is the successor of the famous Aeroplane Carmenere 2017 wine. Although the birthplace of carmenère is Bordeaux, it has adapted very well to the climate and soils of Chile, which is now considered its second homeland. Carmenère is a variety that needs a long and sunny growing season to ripen successfully, as it can struggle to ripen in all but the warmest and sunniest sites. If harvested when the grapes are not fully ripe, it may result in wines with a pungent herbaceous character and bitter tannins. Carmenère wines are usually matured in oak in order to soften its tannins and gain more complexity. This particular wine has been aged for 18 months in oak and is produced in a limited edition of only 6457 bottles. 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
colour: medium ruby
clarity: hazy ruby shades
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & savory
fruit profile: red fruits
__red fruits: sour cherry | red currant | cranberry
fruit character: ripe & overripe
//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | savory | earthy | other
__spice: red pepper
__oak: cherry tree bark | cherry tree wood
__savory: leather | hints of veal & iron
__earthy: brown soil dust | clay | subtle hints of mushrooms
__other: dried cranberry | sweet potato
__wood: old & new / medium roast
//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: med(+)
tannin: med(-)
__grip: green
balance: fair
__dominant: acidity
body: rough | medium(-)
//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits
fruit character: ripe & underripe
non fruit: spice
finish: medium+
aftertaste: seedy-green
//Scoring
ET CETERA | Carmenere | 2018
variety: carmenère
country: Moldova
region: Stefan Voda
rating: 90.7
//Conclusion
maturity: developing | age for 2-3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova and, with a total of 90.7 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.
Verdict: overall this is fine example of a carmenère wine that is produced in a subtle, old-world style, with a nuanced savory accent – a wine that is yet too youthful and tart, as it has yet to reach the peak of its form. This is a wine needs a bit more time to round up its rough edges, therefore we would suggest for at least 2 or 3 more years of bottle ageing. It feels angular and sharp in its current state, with overwhelming acidity, green tannins and a touch of alcoholic warmth on the mouthfeel, which leads to a slightly tart and seedy finale. On the nose the wine comes with a fruity-savory accent in the foreground, supported by a savory-earthy background and a layer of subtle oak hints in between the two. Keep in mind that there are wines that might gain some much desired elegance and finesse with age, but there are also wines that are elegant enough in their yearly stages and age will only take its toll on them. This one here lacks a bit of balance and harmony on the palate, traits that surely will come with some additional time spent in the bottle. 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.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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