THESAURUS | Amadoc | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2017
cabernet sauvignon

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Today we are going to review a a single varietal cabernet sauvignon wine from the Dealurile Silagiului area of the Banat region in Romania – Amadoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 by Thesaurus. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world in a wide range of climates and regions and it can produce wines that are very high in tannins and acidity, wines that can mature and develop for many years in the bottle. Because cabernet sauvignon is a late ripening grape variety, it is best suited for warmer climates, where it is capable to produce wines that can reach into realms of perfection. In Romania, this grape variety was introduced at the start of 20th century, after the phylloxera disaster and since then, it has excelled as a variety that suits amazingly well the southern terroirs. The wine we are reviewing today is part of the Amadoc range, named after ‘Amadoc the 1st‘ – one of the greatest dacian kings. The word ‘amado‘ comes from latin and it translates as ‘god’s love’. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity, the wine has been aged oak barriques, and then then has rested a couple of years in the bottle before we found it. 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: deep ruby color
clarity: hazy garnet shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & spicy
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

The wine’s opening aroma presents a surprising contrast. The first nose delivers a wave of baking spices like cloves, nutmeg, and peppercorn. These aren’t overpowering, but rather suggestive of time spent aging in oak barrels. Peeking through these bold spice notes are subtle hints of red fruit, like red cherry, red plum and dried cranberry. These fruity hints are almost shy at first, hinting at the wine’s varietal character. In the background, there’s a layer of oak influence, adding a touch of toasted oak and tobacco. Subtle earthy undertones emerge as well, with hints of loam and clay, adding a touch of complexity to the wine’s aromatic profile.

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

The palate echoes the nose, with the touch of warm baking spices and dehydrated red fruits dominating the foreground. The wine’s bright acidity cuts through the richness of the fruit beautifully, keeping the wine lively, while the ripe tannins provide a firm structure without any harshness. A touch of well integrated alcoholic warmth adds even more depth and power to the wine’s body. The finish is crisp and lingers pleasantly for a while with hints of spice, dehydrated fruit and a touch of oak. The wine’s mouthfeel feels round and nicely structured, with the interplay of bright acidity and ripe tannins creating a sense of grip and firmness.

//Verdict
maturity: almost there | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this is a well-made wine that showcases the hallmarks of a cool climate cabernet sauvignon. The emphasis on baking spices suggests a significant oak influence, which integrates well but might overshadow the red fruit character a bit. The tannins are present but could benefit from a slightly firmer structure to fully balance the slightly opulent mouthfeel. Despite these minor points, this cabernet sauvignon wine offers a satisfying tasting experience and demonstrates good balance between primary and secondary aromas.

//Scoring
THESAURUS | Amadoc | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2017
variety: cabernet sauvignon
country: Romania | Banat
region: Dealurile Silagiului
rating: 93.4
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.4 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 focus on baking spice and dried red fruits flavors, we believe it would be perfectly suited for rich and flavorful dishes that can stand up to its firm character, like for example crispy duck breast with cherry sauce. The richness of the duck would be beautifully complemented by the ripe tannins in the wine, while the sweet and tart cherry sauce would echo the red fruits and spice notes in the wine. In the same key, the wine’s acidity would cut through the richness of the duck fat, while the wine’s slightly opulent mouthfeel would complement the elegant texture of the meat. This pairing would allow the wine to shine through, while highlighting the richness of the duck and the savory-sweet elements of the cherry sauce, thus creating a delightful and harmonious wine tasting experience. Cheers!

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