DOMENIILE URLATI | Incantation | Feteasca Neagra • Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019
feteasca neagra | cabernet sauvignon

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Today we are going to review a wine that has been flying under the radar for quite some time – Incantation Feteasca Neagra • Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 by Domeniile Urlati. This wine is a blend of feteasca neagra and cabernet sauvignon, where feteasca neagra forms the wine’s main body and enhances the aromatic profile with black fruit flavours, whereas cabernet sauvignon adds more structure and complexity to the final blend. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Ceptura-Urlati vineyards located in the famous Dealu Mare region of Romania, while the wine itself has been produced in a limited edition of only 3000 bottles. Each grape variety has been harvested and vinified separately, in order to preserve and highlight the unique varietal characteristics of each grape, and then aged individually in romanian oak barrels for 9 and 12 months respectively. Needless to mention that this is the winemaker’s flagship red blend, 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
color: medium-deep garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades

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

On the first nose, this wine unveils an alluring fusion of ripe fruits & oaky notes that beckons the senses. The foreground unfolds with a medley of ripe red & black fruits, harmoniously intertwining the sweetness of redcurrants, cranberries and red plums, with the depth of blackberries, blackcurrants and black cherries. The fruit profile is delightfully pronounced, offering a sense of richness and a layer of nuance. Adding to that complexity, the background introduces subtle oaky and spicy notes, with whispers of roasted oak, cloves and a touch of sweet tobacco. The wine’s aromatic journey provides a satisfying depth and expressive complexity, resulting in a well-rounded and appealing olfactory experience.

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

On the palate, this wine delivers a luscious interplay of ripe fruits, with notes of red and black fruits, that create a delightful fusion of flavors. The mouthfeel is characterized by an appealingly-crisp acidity that imparts a refreshing liveliness, complemented by ripe tannins that contribute to a velvety texture, and a noticeable touch of alcoholic warmth, adding depth and structure to the wine’s overall profile. The body is rich, round, and plump, all of which leads to a seedy-crisp aftertaste. This wine strikes a nice balance between its vibrant fruit expression and well-integrated structural elements, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate a well made and expressive Dealu Mare blend.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 or 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is a rich, ample and plump wine, with a round and plush mouthfeel that highlights its vibrant fruit expression. With its nuanced, fruity-expressive profile, the wine showcases undeniable charm, yet it currently lacks a touch of finesse and refinement that only the greatest wine blends could deliver. Nevertheless, its overall combination of richness and vibrancy makes it an enjoyable choice for those seeking a fruit-forward and expressive wine blend. With a bit more time in the bottle, this wine has the potential to provide some much desired complexity and depth, if properly stored.

//Scoring
DOMENIILE URLATI | Incantation | Feteasca Neagra • Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019
variety: feteasca neagra | cabernet sauvignon
country: Romania | Muntenia
region: Dealu Mare | Ceptura-Urlati
rating: 93.5
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.5 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 complex and rich flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with a succulent steak au poivre with red wine reduction sauce. The wine’s firm structure and its ripe fruits flavors, will complement the robustness of the meat, creating a harmonious marriage of flavors, while the subtle oak and earthy undertones in the wine, will resonate with the depth of the red wine reduction sauce, enhancing the overall culinary experience. In the same key, the wine’s crisp and seedy aftertaste, will provide a refreshing contrast, cutting through the richness of the steak. This pairing could highlight the wine’s expressive character and promises a culinary symphony that accentuates the best qualities of both, the wine and 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.