DOMENIILE SCUTELNIC | Merlot | 2020
merlot

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Today we are going to review a single varietal merlot wine from a new winemaker – Valerian Scutelnic, who launched its wines last fall in Moldova – Merlot 2020 by Domeniile Scutelnic. Merlot is second-most planted grape variety in the world after cabernet sauvignon and is usually regarded as the underdog to the highly priced cabernet sauvignon or cabernet franc varieties, but make no mistake, merlot wine is first class as it is more versatile and ripens earlier than both cabernet grapes, responds well to oak ageing and can be grown in both, cool climate and warm climate with the same success. With vibrant and rich, upfront fruit flavors, moderate tannin and balanced acidity, merlot is an ideal food pairing wine and a safe bet for any occasion. Merlot grape (its name translates into english as ‘the little blackbird‘) is the progeny of cabernet franc and magdeleine noire des charentes – an old, esoteric french variety discovered through DNA testing. In order to gain more structure on the palate and to bring some much desired authenticity, this particular wine has been aged for 15 months in oak barrels and produced in a limited edition of only 900 bottles. But enough with all that 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-deep ruby color
clarity: hazy purple shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & expressive
fruit profile: black fruits
__black fruits: black plum | black cherry | blackberry | aronia berry
fruit character: ripe & overripe

//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | earth
__spice: peppercorn | cloves
__oak: roasted oakwood | vanilla | sweet tobacco | charred wood
__earth: charcoal | pencil lead
primary layer: fruit & oak

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: medium
tannin: medium+
__grip: fine-grained
balance: good
__dominant: acidity
body: ample | medium+

//Taste
fruit profile: red & black fruits
fruit character: ripe & underripe
non fruit: spice & oak
finish: medium-
aftertaste: crisp

//Scoring
DOMENIILE SCUTELNIC | Merlot | 2020
variety: merlot
country: Moldova
region: Codru
rating: 91.9

//Conclusion
maturity: developing | drink in 2 or 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended
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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova and, with a total of 91.9 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 round, supple and crisp merlot wine with a fruity-expressive nose and a youthfully-vibrant palate. It is still in its development phase, therefore we would strongly recommend to age it for another 2 or 3 years, in order to allow it develop further complexity and settle down its youthfulness. On the nose the wine displays ripe and overripe black fruit notes in the foreground, followed by a quite nuanced, spicy-oaky background and a very subtle, earthy layer in between the two. On the palate the wine delivers crisp acidity, fine-grained tannins and just a touch of alcoholic warmth, that is showing through on the mouthfeel, which leads to a very crisp aftertaste. All in all this is a quite appealing merlot wine that in its current state lacks some harmony and finesse on the palate due to its youthfulness. Our recommendation is to pair this wine with rustic meats or creamy cheeses, like for example a marinated flank steak or a delicious creamy cheese board. 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.