TE WĀ WINES | ’75 | Feteasca Alba | 2023
feteasca alba

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Today we are going to review another single varietal feteasca alba wine, but this time one that comes from the famous Stefan-Voda wine region, located in the south of Moldova – ’75 Feteasca Alba 2023 by Te Wā Wines. Feteasca Alba is an old, indigenous romanian variety, that dates back for almost two thousand years – a variety that is little known outside of Romania and Moldova. Feteasca Alba wines stand out from the crowd mostly due to their delicate balance and elegance on the palate. There is a rising demand for feteasca alba wines both, on the local market as well as on the international markets and many experts name this variety as one of the visit cards of romanian white wines. Some even say that feteasca alba is the only grape variety that can display notes of vine blossom in its aroma profile. Te Wā Wines (Te Wā means ‘time will tell‘ in Maori) is a wine project that has been initiated by two enthusiasts, whose aim was to create limited edition wines capable to deliver the very best of Moldova’s terroir. This particular wine is made of feteasca alba grapes that were sourced from old vines, planted in 1975, hence the inspiration for the wine name and label – ’75. But what makes this wine even more special is that it has been vinified in the so called ‘low intervention‘ style, where the oenologist controls the winemaking process without leaving his fingerprint on the final wine, leaving the grapes and the place to tell the story. That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to our tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: pale straw-white color
clarity: pale pastel-yellow hues

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & floral
fruit character: ripe

The wine’s nose opens with a rather intriguing bouquet. Leading the charge are delightful notes of fresh flowers, reminiscent of elderflower and lindenflower. These floral notes mingle with hints of citrus, like lemon zest and grapefruit, adding a touch of vibrancy on the aromatic profile. As the fragrance unfolds, subtle hints of green fruits emerge n the background, with notes of apple and pear, complemented by a touch of sweetness reminiscent of candy drops (lemon drops & pear drops). This unexpected candy-like character adds a touch of whimsy sweetness that further enhance the wine’s complexity on the nose.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity:  medium+ | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: low | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: slightly rough

On the palate, unfortunately, the wine doesn’t quite live up to its olfactory intrigue. While it offers a mix of ripe citrus and green fruit flavors, the overall impression is somewhat angular and austere. The crisp acidity is present, but it’s overshadowed by a rather aggressive touch of alcoholic warmth that disrupts the overall balance. This warmth leads to a slightly rough finish, leaving the sensation of a somewhat sharp, harsh and unbalanced mouthfeel.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within 1 year
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a quite appealing wine of good quality

Overall, this wine is slightly disappointing, as despite its flamboyant and extremely appealing aromatic profile, it lacks the harmony and finesse expected from a top-tier feteasca alba wine, and which is even more important, it fails to showcase any of the typical characteristics of the feteasca alba grape variety. The slight bitterness and austere character on the mouthfeel suggest maybe that the grapes might not have reached full phenolic ripeness at harvest.

//Scoring
TE WĀ WINES | ’75 | Feteasca Alba | 2023
variety: feteasca alba
country: Moldova
region: Stefan Voda
rating: 92.2
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This is definitely a fine wine of Moldova and with a total of 92.2 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 angular mouthfeel and its pronounced alcoholic warmth, we believe it would pair nicely with spicy dishes or dishes with strong flavors that would clash with the slight bitterness and heat in the wine. A simple grilled fish might be the perfect option, as the fish’s strong flavor would be counter-balanced by the sweet notes in the wine, while the wine’s acidity would help cut through the soft and fat-rich textures of the fish. This pairing would allow to mask some of those rough edges in the wine, while still showcasing its strong points, like the those pronounced floral notes and the wine’s pleasant and crisp acidity. Noroc!

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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.