FÁUTOR | Barbaro | 2019
syrah | tempranillo | cabernet sauvignon | saperavi

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Today we are going to perform a trip into the past and re-evaluate a wine that is rightly considered among the best wines of Moldova – Barbaro 2019 by Fáutor Winery. This is the winemaker’s flagship wine – a blend of four grape varieties: syrah, tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and saperavi, where syrah adds color depth and tannin extract, tempranillo enhances the wine’s structure and enhances the wine’s flavour profile, cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and adds longevity to the final blend, while saperavi adds up-front richness and rounds up the final blend, making it lusher on the finish. Barbaro is a homage to the Valul lui Traian fortifications, whose ruins are still found in the south-west of Moldova. The Valul lui Traian fortifications delimited the eastern borders of the mighty Roman Empire and all the inhabitants beyond those walls were called ‘noble barbarians’. The wine itself was aged for 12 months in new french oak barriques, with a couple more years of bottle ageing before it was deemed ready for market release. 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:

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//Visual
colour: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & oaky expressive
fruit character: ripe & overripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a vibrant interplay of ripe and overripe black fruits with nuanced oaky undertones. Those oaky notes add to the wine’s flavour complexity, enriching the experience with a touch of cloves, nutmeg and a whisper of vanilla. As the aromatic journey deepens, the background reveals a mosaic of spiciness, offering a warm embrace that complements the wine’s fruit-forward nature. Subtle earthy hints add a layer of depth and complexity, grounding the overall flavour profile. This red wine is a harmonious blend where the richness of ripe fruits, the warmth of spice, and the nuanced earthiness converge, create a harmonious and inviting olfactory symphony.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: seedy-tart

On the palate, this wine delivers a captivating sensory journey through a rich tapestry of flavors. Ripe and overripe black fruits take center stage with notes of black cherry, plum and casis, their luscious sweetness balanced by the subtle interplay of oak and spice. The mouthfeel is a harmonious blend of exuberant acidity, offering a lively and refreshing sensation, ripe tannins that contribute to a well-defined structure and an overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth that adds structure and firmness without overpowering the palate. The aftertaste leaves an appealing seedy-tart sensation that linger, inviting for yet another sip.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | needs time – age for 3 to 5 more years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, the wine feels rich, firm and bold, embodying richness and complexity. The palate unveils a dynamic interplay of ripe and overripe black fruits in the foreground, accompanied by pronounced oak and spice notes in the background, creating a flavour profile that is both, expressive and complex. The wine might feel slightly angular in its current state, lacking a bit of finesse and elegance on the palate, traits that will definitely come up with time spent in the bottle, as the wine holds promises of refinement and sophistication. Despite its robust character and impressive structure, there is room for further development to soften those rough edges and bring about a more harmonious integration of the wine’s main elements –  this wine is a gem in the making.

//Scoring
FÁUTOR | Barbaro | 2019
variety: syrah | tempranillo | cabernet sauvignon | saperavi
country: Moldova
region: Valul lui Traian
rating: 93.8

//Prediction
predicted RP rating: 90

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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova and, with a total of 93.8 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: Judging by the wine’s complex and rich flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with a rosemary-garlic flank steak. The spicy and oaky notes in the wine will harmonize beautifully with the hearty flavors of the beef, while the rich notes of black fruits will provide a delightful contrast to the savory notes of the meat. In the same key, the wine’s angularity on the palate can be counter-balanced by the soft textures of the steak. This pairing promises a symphony of flavors, allowing both the wine and the dish to shine in tandem, creating a memorable dining experience for all red wine enthusiasts. 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.