FÁUTOR | Illustro | Grande Reserva | 2016
cabernet sauvignon | merlot
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Today we are going to review a classic Bordeaux-styled wine blend from the Valul lui Traian region of Moldova – Illustro Grande Reserva 2016 by Fáutor Winery. This wine is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (65%) and merlot (35%) grape varieties, where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, while merlot adds up-front richness and rounds up the final blend, delivering some much desired smoothness on the finish. This is in fact the world’s most famous wine blending formula for red wines, intended to soften the boldness of cabernet sauvignon by adding some of that lushness of merlot, thus enriching the flavours and elevate each grapes’s characteristics to new levels, resulting in more complex, balanced and elegant wines. In order to soften the tannins and add extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 12 months in french oak barriques, with additional 12 months of bottle ageing, before it was deemed ready for release on the market. 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 | ruby shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & mature
fruit character: overripe & dehydrated
On the first nose, the wine showcases a foreground of overripe and dehydrated red fruits, including sour cherry, red plum, dried cherry, dried red plum, cranberry, and dried cranberry, with some hints of pomegranate skin notes in the background, to round out the fruit character and to provide more aromatic depth. The second layer displays notes of cloves, anise, red pepper, thyme, and cherry tree wood, as well as nuances of sun-dried oakwood and cherry tree sap. Last but not least, the wine displays hints of almonds, cashew, dried figs, dates, and a subtle hint of varnish in the background, which add a layer of depth and complexity to the wine’s aromatic profile.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: bitter-seedy
On the palate, the wine offers exuberant acidity that immediately grabs the attention, accompanied by ripe and firm tannins that provide a firm grip to the wine’s over-wise plump and ample body, and a touch of alcoholic warmth that is showing through on the mouthfeel, which leads to a bitter-seedy aftertaste. The wine’s fruit profile centers around overripe and dried red fruits, with notes of spice and oak that adds to the complexity of the flavor profile. The finish is medium+ in length, allowing the wine to develop on the palate, while the aftertaste is bitter-seedy, with the high acidity providing a refreshing and clean sensation.
//Verdict
maturity: past its prime | drink now or within a year
verdict: fine | highly recommended
This is a rich and grippy wine blend with a plump mouthfeel, that showcases overripe red fruits flavours, complemented by well-integrated oak and subtle earthy notes in the background. The mouthfeel is firm and slightly angular, which suggests that the wine lacks some elegance and finesse on the palate. Overall the wine feels mature, well-structured and complex, developing well on the palate and culminate in a bitter-seedy finish.
//Scoring
FÁUTOR | Illustro | Grande Reserva | 2016
variety: cabernet sauvignon | merlot
country: Moldova
region: Valul lui Traian
rating: 92.5
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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.
Pairing: Judging by the wine’s flavour profile and it’s rich palate, we believe it will pair lovely with slow-roasted beef brisket with a red wine reduction sauce, as the wine’s rich mouthfeel and overripe red fruit flavors will complement nicely the savory flavors of the beef and that juicy wine sauce, while those appealing oaky-earthy notes will enhance the umami character of the dish. 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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