CRAMA OPRISOR | Feteasca Neagra | 2019
feteasca neagra

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Today we are are going to review a single-varietal feteasca neagra wine from Dealurile Olteniei region of Romania, a wine known locally as the ‘purple label’ – Feteasca Neagra 2019 by Crama Oprisor. 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 often are compared to merlot and cabernet franc, mostly due to their body, robust tannins and elegant textures. There is a rising demand for feteasca neagra wines on the regional as well as on the international markets and many wine experts consider this variety to be the visit card of romanian wines. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the feteasca neagra grapes, this wine has been bottled unfiltered and handled with much care, aged for 24 months in oak barrels of various sizes (from small, 225-liters french barriques to big, 5000-liters neutral barrels). 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: deep | ruby color
clarity: hazy | ruby shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & vibrant
fruit character: ripe

In the foreground, this wine displays a ripe fruit character, with prominent notes of black cherry, blue plum, blackberry, blueberry, black plum and blackthorn. Alongside the vibrant fruit notes, subtle nuances of oak emerges, with notes of toasted oakwood, sweet tobacco, cloves and nutmeg, which add to the wine’s aromatic complexity. In the background, the wine offers subtle hints of earth with notes of pencil lead, charcoal, and black soil dust, that are a true reflection of the wine’s terroir.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp

On the palate, this wine showcases bright acidity that is accompanied by firm and ripe tannins, thus forming an ample and plump mouthfeel, with feels  rich and voluptuous. The wine offers a touch of alcoholic warmth that is showing through, which enhances the vibrant fruit flavors and adds complexity to the wine’s taste profile. The ripe black and blue fruits are the stars of the show, supported by subtle oak flavors that adds a new dimension to the wine’s already complex palate. The medium+ finish allows the flavors to develop and linger on the palate, leading to an appealing and crisp finale.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | age for another 3 to 5 more years
verdict: great | a must try wine

Overall, this wine is a youthfully crisp and ample wine, with a plump and voluptuous mouthfeel that reflects nicely the varietal typicity of the feteasca neagra grapes. It offers a lovely balance between the ripe black and blue fruit flavors and the subtle oak notes that are well-integrated into the wine’s taste profile. While it has good ageing potential, in its current state, the wine lacks some elegance and finesse on the palate, that said, it is a rich and quite complex wine that would be a great choice for those seeking a bold and well structured red wine.

//Scoring
CRAMA OPRISOR | Feteasca Neagra | 2019
variety: feteasca neagra
country: Romania | Oltenia
region: Dealurile Olteniei
rating: 93.7
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This is definitely a great wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.7 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.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s vibrant, aromatic profile with ripe black and blue fruit flavors, subtle oak undertones and its firm but ample mouthfeel, we suggest pairing it with a slow-cooked braised short ribs with red wine reduction. The wine’s bright acidity will cut through the richness of the dish, while the plump and voluptuous mouthfeel will match the tender texture of the ribs meat, all of that supported in the background by the ripe fruit notes and subtle oak flavors that will complement the savory umami taste of the dish, turning it into a delicious pairing. Enjoy!

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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.