VINARTE | UniQ | #
cabernet sauvignon | merlot | negru de dragasani

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Today we are going to review an iconic wine from the Samburesti-Bolovanu vineyards of Muntenia –  a wine that is rightly considered to be one of the best from Romania – UniQ by Domaine Vinarte. This wine is a harmonious blend of three grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (50%), merlot (30%) and negru de dragasani (20%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, merlot builds a more refined mid-palate and up-front richness, while negru de dragasani adds dark fruit flavors and enhances the wine’s color depth. The constant search for perfection makes this wine a real classic – vinified in a genuine Bordeaux-style, with carefully selected, hand picked grapes from the best vintages (a so-called ‘multi-vintage’ wine): cabernet sauvignon from the legendary 2013 vintage, merlot from 2016 and negru de dragasani from 2017, hence produced in a limited edition of only 2517 bottles. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 24 months in french and romanian oak barriques, from which 25% new oak. Must we mention that this wine, which represents the quintessence of 20 years of winemaking at the Domaine Vinarte, has been highly appreciated by international critiques as well. But we digress, 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 & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: nuanced & oaky
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

The first impression of this wine is an enticing mix of ripe and dehydrated fruit aromas. Think black plums, dark cherries and aronia berries that are past their ripeness peak, offering a nuanced richness that leans towards a dried character. Woven throughout these primary fruit notes are pronounced notes of oak, like toasted oakwood and baking spice that adds an extra layer of complexity to the wine’s rich aromatic profile. In the background, whispers of tobacco and charcoal deliver another layer of intrigue, making this a quite complex and well structured wine that leaves no prisoners, one either loves it or hates it.

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

The palate mirrors the nose, delivering a wave of ripe and dried black fruit flavors. Earthy and spicy notes emerge as well, reminiscent of black pepper and perhaps a hint of old leather, adding complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The bright acidity cuts through the wine’s initial richness beautifully, keeping the wine lively, while the ripe and grippy tannins lend structure and a offer a firm grip on the mouthfeel. A pronounced touch of alcoholic warmth brings more muscles and structure on the palate, but doesn’t overshadow the other elements of the wine. The finish tends to be bittersweet in character and it lingers pleasantly for quite a while.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 4-5 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

All in all, this is a bold and complex wine blend, with a well-structured grip from the tannins that feels slightly astringent at this stage. This suggests the wine has a good ageing potential of about 4 to 5 more years, as this is a premium quality Bordeaux-styled wine blend – rich, powerful and complex. While the tannins might be slightly grippy at this point in time, the wine already displays an excellent structure and harmony between all its elements and promises a rewarding drinking experience as it matures.

//Scoring
VINARTE | UniQ | #
variety: cabernet sauvignon | merlot | negru de dragasani
country: Romania
region: Muntenia | Samburesti
rating: 94.8

//Prediction
predicted rating: 91+
actual rating: 92
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This is definitely a great wine of Romania and, with a total of 94.8 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 the wine’s nuanced and rich dark fruit flavors, complemented by its firm and grippy structure, we believe it would be perfectly suited for bold and flavorful dishes that can stand up to the wine’s weight. Grilled venison with salt and rosemary would be a fantastic pairing option, as the richness of the game meat would be beautifully complemented by the wine’s astringent tannins and bright acidity, while the rosemary and salt crust would echo the earthy and spicy notes in the wine. In the same key, the smokiness from the grill enhanced in the meat would add an additional layer of complexity, harmonizing with the wine’s bold and oaky character. This pairing would allow the wine’s richness to shine through, while highlighting the natural flavours of the venison, thus creating a delightful tasting experience. 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.