VIILE METAMORFOSIS | Cantvs Primvs | Feteasca Neagra | 2018
feteasca neagra

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Today we are also going to review an iconic wine from the Dealu Mare wine region in Muntenia – Cantvs Primvs Feteasca Neagra 2018 by Vitis Metamorfosis. Feteasca Neagra is an indigenous romanian variety that has been grown for hundreds of years on substantial plantings in the south of Moldova and eastern Muntenia and today, this is the most famous red variety in Romania. Wines made from feteasca neagra grapes are usually fruit-forward, complex and structured, wines that quite often are compared to merlot and cabernet franc, mostly due to their body, fine tannins and elegant textures. There is a rising demand for feteasca neagra wines both, on the local market as well as on the international markets and many experts name this variety as the visit card of romanian wines. This particular wine has been aged for 14 months in 500-liters oak buds (80%), 225-liters oak barriques (10%) and stainless steel tanks (10%) and is part of the Cantvs Primvs project, that has been launched in 2009 by Giancorrado Ulrich, Fiorenzo Rista and Marquis Piero Antinori. Cantvs Primvs translated from latin means ‘the first song‘. After consulting with Renzo Cotarella, the Managing Director of Antinori S.P.A., Dealu Mare area was identified as the region with the most potential in terms of climate and terroir, which was in line with the philosophy of the Antinori family to produce high quality wines in the premium and super-premium segments. But enough 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
colour: medium-depth ruby color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & savory
fruit profile: red fruits
__red fruits: cranberry | red currant | red plum | wolfberry | sour cherry
fruit character: ripe

//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | savory | earthy
__spice: red pepper | paprika | cloves
__oak: sun-dried oakwood | cherry tree wood | rooibos tea
__savory: iron | leather | farmyard | brown olive
__earthy: brown soil | marl | clay | loam
primary layer: fruity–savory

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: medium+
alcohol: high
tannin: medium-
__grip: fine
balance: good
__dominant: alcohol
body: supple & lean | medium

//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits
fruit character: ripe
non fruit: spice & savory
finish: medium
aftertaste: appealing

//Scoring
VIILE METAMORFOSIS | Cantvs Primvs | Feteasca Neagra | 2018
variety: feteasca neagra
country: Romania | Muntenia
region: Dealu Mare
rating: 92.5

//Conclusion
maturity: in its prime | can age for another 3-4 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 92.5 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 quite savory, supple and lean feteasca neagra wine, with a plump and voluptuous palate. The wine is right there, at the summit of its prime form, therefore we would recommend to drink it now or age it a bit more, as it definitely can handle a couple more years of bottle ageing. On the nose the wine brings a mixture of ripe red fruits and savory notes in the foreground, followed by a spicy background and a very subtle, earthy layer in between the two. On the palate the wine delivers well integrated acidity, fine-grained tannins and an overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth on the mouthfeel, which leads to an appealingly crisp aftertaste. All in all, this is a fine feteasca neagra wine with nicely highlighted varietal typicity – a wine that has both, its own distinctive personality and the footprint of the Dealu Mare terroir. Our recommendation is to pair it with delicate meats, like for example Tournedos Rossini or Filet Mignon. 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.