EQUINOX | Sintagma | 2018
rara neagra | cabernet sauvignon
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Today we are going to review a wine that is regarded by many as a true classic – Sintagma 2018 by Equinox. The winemaker’s constant search for perfection makes this wine a rare find – a blend of two grape varieties: rara neagra and cabernet sauvignon, where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure profile, while rara neagra adds up-front richness and a more refined mid-palate, supported by some very subtle hints of local terroir. Sintagma is an elementary constituent segment within a text and, similar to the words that merge one into another, the two grape varieties fusion into something more than a mere blend – it is an union of power and finesse, where all the wilderness of rara neagra match the complexity of cabernet sauvignon. This specific wine has been aged for 30 months in oak barriques and only 1450 bottles have been produced, therefore this wine is a rarity even in Moldova. 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 color
clarity: pale garnet shades
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & earthy
fruit profile: red fruits
__red fruits: sour cherry | red plum | cranberry | redcurrant
fruit character: ripe & overripe
//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | savory | earthy
__spice: allspice | cloves
__oak: oaktree bark | cherry tree wood | rooibos tea
__savory: leather | brown olive
__earthy: black soil dust | loam | clay | marl
primary layer: fruity–earthy
//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: high
tannin: high
__grip: ripe
balance: good
__dominant: acidity
body: supple | medium+
//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits
fruit character: ripe
non fruit: spice & oak
finish: medium
aftertaste: crisp
//Scoring
EQUINOX | Sintagma | 2018
variety: rara neagra | cabernet sauvignon
country: Moldova
region: Stefan Voda
rating: 92.5
//Conclusion
maturity: youthful | age for 3 to 5 more years
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova 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 crisp, supple and quite grippy wine blend, with a slightly angular and tart mouthfeel. The wine is yet too youthful, therefore we would recommend to give it at least 3 to 5 more years of bottle ageing, in order to allow it to develop and get closer to its potential. On the nose the wine brings a mixture of ripe and overripe red fruits and some very nuanced, earthy notes in the foreground, followed by a spicy-oaky background and a very subtle, savory layer in between the two. On the palate the wine delivers overwhelming acidity, seedy tannins and a firm touch of alcoholic warmth that is showing through on the mouthfeel, which nicely evolves into a crisp aftertaste. All in all, this is a ripe, rich and quite nuanced wine blend that lacks harmony and finesse, especially on the palate. For the best food & wine experience, we would recommend to pair it with delicate or spicy meats, like for example a medium-rare t-bone steak or an extra-rare rib eye steak. 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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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.
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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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