CRAMA FERDI | Cuvée Fario | Signature F | 2020
syrah | cabernet franc | merlot
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Today we are going to review a very rare wine blend from the famous Dealu Mare region of Romania – Cuvée Fario Signature F 2020 by Crama Ferdi. This wine represents the quintessence of Ferdi Wines – a harmonious blend of three grape varieties: syrah, cabernet franc and merlot, where syrah forms the wine’s main body and structure, delivering those famous, spicy-dusty notes to the aromatic profile, cabernet franc adds up-front richness and offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish, while merlot builds a more refined mid-palate and enhances the wine’s color depth. This wine is a classic example of modern microvinification, aged for 24 months in new oak and another 24 months in the bottle, it is produced in a very limited edition of only 520 bottles, each of which is signed personally by the winemaker, Fernando Marius Mihailescu, thus this wine is a rarity even in Romania. 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 ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & oaky
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated
On the nose, this wine offers a captivating interplay of ripe and dehydrated black fruits, with notes of dark cherries, black plums and blackberries, which are harmoniously complemented by a quite nuanced oak influence that peeks through, adding hints of toasted oakwood, peppercorn and liquorice. In the background, nuances of sweet spice emerges with hints of nutmeg, cloves and tonka seeds, interwoven with subtle earthy undertones that hint at pencil lead or black soil dust. This intriguing bouquet suggests a complex wine that has seen some ageing in contact with new oak.
//Palate
sweetness: bone dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp & heady
The wine’s palate confirms the first impressions suggested by the nose. The initial flavors mirror the aromas, offering a mix of ripe and dehydrated black fruit notes, tinged with hints of raisin and prune. Oak influence comes through more prominently on the mouthfeel, however, the crisp acidity feels slightly flat and fails to balance the prominent alcoholic warmth. The tannins are noticeable seedy and quite grippy, adding astringency rather than structure. The overall mouthfeel is firm, but comes across as a touch angular and a bit rough. The aftertaste is dominated by seedy tannins and a lingering alcoholic warmth, leaving a slightly bitter and heady last impression.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | requires more time | drink in 3 to 5 years from now
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
All in all, this is a quite expressive Syrah-based wine blend, but one that currently lacks harmony and finesse on the palate. Despite the fact, that this is a wine with ageing potential and developing complexity with that interplay of black fruits, oak, spice and subtle earthy undertones on the nose, its current boldness on the mouthfeel feels a bit disjointed at this stage. The wine would definitely benefit from additional bottle aging, in order to allow all its elements to integrate and round up those sharp edges.
//Scoring
CRAMA FERDI | Cuvée Fario | Signature F | 2020
variety: syrah | cabernet franc | merlot
country: Romania
region: Muntenia | Dealu Mare
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 bold character, prominent tannins and slightly angular mouthfeel, we would recommend to pair it with hearty and flavorful dishes, like for example braised beef short ribs or peppercorn fillet mignon. The richness of the flavours in the dish will stand up to the wine’s bold character, with the tannins cutting through the fat of the meat, while the hearty flavours in the sauce will echo the subtle earthy character of the wine. In the same key, the slight astringency of the wine and its crisp acidity will help cut through the richness of the meat’s texture, creating a balanced pairing 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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