CRAMA PANDORA | Cuvee Pandora | 2019
feteasca neagra | cabernet sauvignon | merlot

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Today we are going to review yet another intriguing wine that was flying under the radar, but this time one from the Cotesti vineyards, situated in the Vrancea region of Romania – Cuvee Pandora 2019 by Crama Pandora. This wine is a blend of three grape varieties: feteasca neagra (60%), cabernet sauvignon (30%) and merlot (10%), where feteasca neagra forms the wine’s main body and enriches the flavor profile with black fruit notes, cabernet sauvignon enhances the wine’s structure and adds more complexity to the final blend, whereas merlot is all about up-front richness that contributes to a lusher mid-palate and a more dynamic finish. In order to soften the tannins and add extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 14 months in french and romanian oak barriques. Needless to mention that this is the winemaker’s flagship red blend, but enough 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
color: deep garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades

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

On the first nose, this wine is dominated by a pronounced ripe fruit character. The foreground is rich, with notes of ripe black fruits: black cherries, black plums and blackcurrants. These dark fruits intermingle seamlessly, creating a captivating symphony supported by nuanced influence of oak, with notes of roasted oakwood, sweet tobacco and hints of vanilla, enhancing the overall aromatic complexity. In the background, a touch of spiciness adds an intriguing layer of sophistication to the olfactory experience.

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

On the palate, this wine delivers a delightful amalgamation of ripe black fruits fruits and a nuanced oaky accent. The mouthfeel is characterized by a lively interplay of vibrant acidity and grippy tannins, that impart a sense of energy and structure to the wine, while an overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth adds depth and contributes to the wine’s firm and bold body. Despite its robust nature on the mouthfeel, the wine provides a seedy-crisp aftertaste, thus offering a refreshing finale. This wine is a testament to the harmonious marriage of ripe fruit, structured mouthfeel, and a touch of warmth, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a bold and nuanced tasting experience.

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

All in all, this is a firm and bold wine, with grippy tannins, a bold body and a slightly angular character on the palate. The wine is vinified in a clear-cut new world style – a blend that exudes an expressive and extracted nature, showcasing the intensity of its ripe black fruits and nuanced oak influences. However, in its current state, the wine lacks the desired harmony and finesse on the palate. The wine showcases a very good complexity and feels well structured, with alluring layers of flavor and a sense of angularity that adds intrigue, yet overall it falls short on achieving harmony and balance. This is a wine with very good ageing potential and it would benefit from some additional bottle aging time, in order to refine its sharp edges and round up its palate.

//Scoring
CRAMA PANDORA | Cuvee Pandora | 2019
variety: feteasca neagra | cabernet sauvignon | merlot
country: Romania | Moldova
region: Vrancea | Cotesti
rating: 93.6
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.6 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 bold nature and expressive flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with a grilled ribeye steak. The wine’s firm structure and nuanced black fruit flavors are an ideal match for the hearty and savory profile of a grilled steak. The smoky notes from the BBQ process will resonate with the pronounced oak undertones in the wine, creating a harmonious fusion of flavors. The grippy tannins and bold body of the wine will stand up to the robust and charred exterior of the steak, providing a satisfying interplay of textures. In the same key, the seedy-crisp aftertaste and vibrant acidity of the wine will cut through the richness of the meat, offering a refreshing contrast. This pairing builds a marriage of flavors, showcasing the best of both the wine and the steak. 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.