VIILE METAMORFOSIS | Via Marchizului | Pinot Noir | 2019
pinot noir
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The wine we have selected for the review today is a single-varietal pinot noir wine from the famous Dealu Mare appellation of the Muntenia (Romania) – Via Marchizului Pinot Noir 2019 by Viile Metamorfosis. Pinot Noir has reached a legendary status over the last decades and today it is the most sought-after red wine in the world. The grape itself is quite vulnerable, suffering from a multitude of diseases and its genetics make it highly susceptible to mutation. But despite all the difficulty to grow pinot noir, when treated with utmost care, it is capable of producing the very best expressions of terrior. The wine we are reviewing today is part of the Via Marchizului wine range, which is a tribute to Marchese Piero Antinori, who, together with Renzo Cotarella, the Managing Director of Antinori S.P.A., identified the Dealu Mare region as the area with the most potential in terms of climate and terroir for their new wine venture. The grapes for this wine are sourced form a single vineyard planted with pinot noir grapes on marl and clay-rich soils with north-vest exposure. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the pinot noir grapes and highlight those delicate, terroir-driven hints, the wine has been aged only in used, big oak barrels. Needless to mention that it has been produced in a limited edition of only 5350 bottles. 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
color: pale garnet color
clarity: hazy copper shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & herbaceous
fruit character: underripe & ripe
The wine’s nose unfolds with a burst of herbaceous notes that takes center stage, reminiscent of wormwood, tomato leaf and nettle. Nuanced hints of red fruits peek through, with notes tart cherries, cranberries and wolfberries, struggling to emerge from beneath the herbal layer. In the background, subtle earthy hints like marl and loam emerge, interwoven with delicate woody undertones, think sawdust and sun dried oakwood. This complex bouquet suggests a moderate-climate pinot noir wine with a pronounced savory and earthy character.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium+ | balance: fair
finish: medium- | aftertaste: seedy-crisp
The wine’s palate offers a surprising contrast to the nose, with a burst of ripe and slightly overripe red fruit flavors (think sour cherries and wildberries), tinged with oak-derived hints of baking spice. However, the wine’s bright acidity cuts through the fruit a bit too harshly, leaving a somewhat tart and underripe impression. The wine’s tannins are seedy and quite grippy for a pinot noir wine, adding structure but feeling a touch aggressive, while a quite noticeable alcoholic warmth adds power, but lingers a bit too prominently on the finish, alongside the seedy-crisp aftertaste.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2-3 years
verdict: nice | enjoyable & good | a well made wine that lacks elegance and finesse
Overall, this wine presents itself as somewhat seedy, unpolished and austere, with a slightly angular and a bit rough mouthfeel. While pinot noir wines can be known for their savory characteristics, this particular example feels disjointed and lacks the expected harmony and balance on the palate. It may benefit from additional cellaring to allow the tannins to integrate and round up those sharp edges, howether in its current state the wine’s mouthfeel feels slightly angular and lacks the expected finesse usually expected from a pinot noir, suggesting that the wine might be a touch disjointed at this stage.
//Scoring
VIILE METAMORFOSIS | Via Marchizului | Pinot Noir | 2019
variety: pinot noir
country: Romania
region: Muntenia | Dealu Mare
rating: 91.8
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This is definitely a nice wine of Romania and, with a total of 91.8 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: Due to this wine’s prominent acidity, noticeable tannins and nuanced herbaceous character, it would be best to avoid delicate foods. We would recommend something that could match the wine’s savouriness, like for example seared duck breast. The richness of the duck would stand up to the boldness of the wine, while the fatty texture of the meat will counter-balance the grippy tannins in the wine. For a vegetarian option, consider pairing it with hearty mushroom ragú, as the earthy character of the mushrooms would complement lovely the wine’s savory-earthy notes, while the bright acidity in the wine will cut through the richness of the dish, thus creating a mesmerizing tasting experience. 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.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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