CRAMA GIRBOIU | Bacanta | Reserva | 2019
cabernet sauvignon | merlot | feteasca neagra | syrah

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Today we are going to review a quite intriguing wine that comes from the Cotesti area of the Vrancea wine region in Romania – Bacanta Reserva 2019 by Crama Gîrboiu. This wine is a blend of four grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (50%), merlot (25%) feteasca neagra (13%) and syrah (12%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, merlot is all about up-front richness and helps to build a more refined mid-palate, feteasca neagra enriches the wine’s flavor profile with black fruit notes, whereas syrah adds color depth and forms a more dynamic finish. Wine blending is part science and part art, which takes years to master, as the winemakers has to use a combination of technical skills, laboratory analysis and wine tasting in order to achieve the desired results. Crama Gîrboiu is a family winery that was founded in 2005 by Constantin Gîrboiu in Vrancea, right between Moldova and Muntenia, thus taking advantage of both bordering climates. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, this wine has been aged in french oak barriques under the supervision of the italian oenologist Giovanni Menotti. 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 ruby shades on the rim

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

The first impression on the nose starts with a burst of ripe and dehydrated black fruits. Think of dark cherries, black plums and blackcurrant, with a touch of prune and dried aronia adding even more richness and depth. These dehydrated fruit notes suggest at very ripe grapes or possibly even some raisinated grapes used in the winemaking process. The background burst with nuanced oak-derived hints, like toasted oakwood, clove and anise, suggesting at some time spent in oak barrels. Rounding out the aromatic journey are subtle earthy undertones, like pencil lead or soil dust, hinting at the wine’s terroir.

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

The palate mirrors the nose, offering a wave of intense black fruit flavors with a pronounced dried character. The oak influence from the nose carries through as well, adding even more flavour sophistication and complexity. A burst of high acidity cuts through the richness of the fruit, but feels a touch too exuberant, while the tannins are quite noticeable, forming a slightly seedy texture on the mouthfeel. A more concerning aspect is the overwhelming alcoholic warmth, which feels a touch rough and that lingers into the aftertaste. The palate thus feels firm, bold and muscular, with the alcohol being the most prominent element, followed closely by high acidity and seedy tannins.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 3-4 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this wine blend showcases a bold fruit character, with a full and firm body, yet this is a wine that currently lacks the harmony and finesse expected from a top-tier Bordeaux-styled blend. The exuberant acidity, seedy tannins, and overwhelming alcoholic warmth disrupt the balance and harmony on the palate. While cellaring might allow the wine’s elements to soften and integrate further, the future potential remains uncertain due to its angularity on the palate. That said, this wine will surely appeal to those wine enthusiasts who enjoy a muscular and bold red blend.

//Scoring
CRAMA GIRBOIU | Bacanta | Reserva | 2019
variety: cabernet sauvignon | merlot | feteasca neagra | syrah
country: Romania | Moldova
region: Vrancea | Cotesti
rating: 92.9
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 92.9 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 full-bodied profile and nuanced black fruit character, we would suggest to pair it with a rich and flavorful dish with a touch of sweetness, to help temper the assertive tannins and exuberant acidity of the wine, like for example lamb chops with moroccan barbecue sauce. The richness of the lamb would stand up well to the seedy tannins of the wine, while the sweetness of the barbecue sauce would complement the dehydrated black fruit notes in the wine and would help to tame the wine’s high acidity. In the same key, the fat textures in the lamb would counter the grippy tannins and pronounced alcoholic warmth in the wine. 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.