STRUNGA WINERY | Feteasca Neagra | Barrique | 2020
feteasca neagra

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Today we are are going to review a single-varietal feteasca neagra wine from Dealurile Moldovei region of Romania – Feteasca Neagra Barrique 2020 by Strunga Winery. 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, sourced from the Dealul Pârjolita vineyard near Iasi in Moldova, this wine has been aged only for 6 months in oak barrels. Recently the wine has been awarded 90 points and a Silver Medal by DWWA (Decanter World Wine Awards) – the world’s most influential wine tasting competition. 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: very deep | opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy | ruby shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & perfumed
fruit character: overripe & dehydrated

On the first nose, this wine presents a captivating olfactory experience, showcasing overripe and dehydrated black fruits, with notes of black cherry, dried black cherry, black mulberry and black plum. These rich fruit notes create a luscious foreground that entwines harmoniously with the sweet spice nuances of cloves, nutmeg, anise, liquorice, sweet tobacco and tonka seeds. As the aroma deepens, subtle hints of toasted oakwood, vanilla, coconut, black cherry jam and mulberry jam emerge in the background, adding a delightful layer of complexity to this wine’s aromatic profile.

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

On the palate, this wine delivers ripe and overripe fruits that shines through, with a medley of luscious black fruits taking the spotlight. The interplay of sweet spice and oak adds depth and complexity, enhancing the overall flavor profile. The wine exhibits bright acidity, which a refreshing and lively sensation to the mouthfeel. The fine-grained tannins provide structure and balance, while a touch of alcoholic warmth adds some structure. As the wine evolves, it reveals a crisp and oaky aftertaste that lingers gracefully on the palate, which feels round, plump and rich.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 or 3 years
verdict: fine | a highly recommended wine

Overall, this wine presents itself as a real crowd-pleaser, offering a rich and expressive flavour profile. It showcases a crisp and plump mouthfeel, however, this is a wine that in its current state lacks the complexity and finesse on the palate. Despite this minor setback, it still captures the attention with its dusty-oaky undertones – a wine with some potential for further aging, holding some promises for those seeking a rich and expressive drinking experience. Last but not least, this wine lacks some of the varietal typicity of the feteasca neagra grape, displaying a slightly more plump and subtle profile than the usual FN wines.

//Scoring
STRUNGA WINERY | Feteasca Neagra | Barrique | 2020
variety: feteasca neagra
country: Romania | Moldova
region: Dealurile Moldovei
rating: 92.8
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 92.8 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: Considering the wine’s expressive palate, rich fruit character and subtle spicy-oaky undertones, we would recommend to pair it with a slow-roasted pork belly, glazed with honey and five-spice marinade, served on the side with caramelized apples and roasted fennel. The wine’s bright acidity and fine-grained tannins will provide a refreshing balance to the succulent pork belly, while the ripe black fruit flavors and sweet spice will complement the sweetness of the honey glaze and those nuanced notes of the five-spice mix. 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.