7ARTS | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2016
cabernet sauvignon

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Today we are going to review a single varietal cabernet sauvignon wine that comes from the Banu Maracine vineyards in the Dealurile Olteniei region – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 by 7ARTS Winery. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world in a wide range of climates, producing wines that are high in tannins and natural acidity, wines that can mature and develop for many years in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a late ripening grape variety, which means that it is best suited for warmer regions, where it is capable to produce wines that can reach into realms of perfection, where they are rarely followed. At 7ARTS, the very first wine was released in the 7th year after the whole vineyard’s surface was replanted in 2009, hence it’s name – 7ARTS. The winery’s unique philosophy is that all its red wines are aged exclusively in romanian oak. This particular wine is made from the late harvested cabernet sauvignon grapes, from which only the free-run juice was used (no press). In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the aromatic and flavor profiles, the wine has been aged for 9 months in new romanian oak barriques and produced in a very limited edition of only 1500 bottles. 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: rich & extracted
fruit character: overripe & dehydrated

The opening aromas of this wine are quite distinctive, bursting with notes of overripe and dehydrated black fruits: think prunes and dehydrated black cherries, with overripe cassis and jammy aronia berries. Woven throughout these primary fruit notes are some hints of oak, with notes of toasted oakwood and tobacco. This oak influence adds a touch of complexity and warmth to the wine’s aromatic profile. In the background, there’s a layer of earthiness and dustiness that adds some sophistication on the nose with hints of pencil lead and black soil dust. Subtle hints of baking spice like peppercorn and cloves peek through as well, along with a whisper of dried figs and dates, that adds even more complexity.

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

The palate mirrors the nose, offering a core of ripe black fruit flavors like plums and blackberries. Earthy and oaky notes emerge here as well, adding complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The acidity cuts through the initial richness of the fruit but feels a touch sharp on the edges. The tannins are ripe and pleasantly seedy, providing a firm structure that holds its own against the nuanced acidity. A quite pronounced touch of alcoholic warmth dominates the mid-palate, but integrates fairly well towards the finish, which forms a crisp aftertaste. The overall mouthfeel feels firm and well-structured, thus forming a quite bold body by the balanced interplay of nuanced acidity, grippy tannins and that alcoholic warmth.

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

Overall, this wine creates the impression of a nuanced and expressive cabernet sauvignon, with a rich fruit character and intriguing secondary notes. However, the slightly overwhelming acidity and somewhat seedy tannins disrupt the harmony, leaving the wine feeling a touch disjointed and lacking in finesse at this point in time. That said and despite its advanced age, this is a wine that might still benefit from additional cellaring to allow some of the elements to further integrate into the body, thus leading to a more harmonious tasting experience in 2 or 3 years time, as the structure is clearly there.

//Scoring
7ARTS | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2016
variety: cabernet sauvignon
country: Romania | Oltenia
region: Dealurile Olteniei | Banu Maracine
rating: 93.7
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.7 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 emphasis on dried black fruits with oaky accents, balanced by overwhelmingly-crisp acidity and a touch of alcoholic warmth, it would be best suited for rich and flavorful dishes that can stand up to the wine’s bold character. A grilled porterhouse steak with blue cheese and butter would be a fantastic option, as the richness of the seared steak would complemented nicely by the seedy tannins in the wine, while the blue cheese and butter flavours would echo the oaky notes in the wine. In the same key, the fat content in the steak would help tame the wine’s crisp acidity, while the overall richness of the dish would match the weight of the wine. This pairing would allow the wine’s dried fruit character to shine through, while allowing the richness and the creaminess of the blue cheese to further enhance the 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.