VILLA VINÈA | Cuvèe Celést | Brut | 2018
chardonnay | pinot noir

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Today we are also going to review a very intriguing sparkling wine from Târnave-Târnăveni wine region in the heart of Transylvania, Romania – Cuvèe Celést Brut 2018 by Villa Vinèa. This wine is a blend of 97% chardonnay and 3% pinot noir, produced using the authentic méthode traditionelle technique (also called the Champenoise Method), the same way the famous Champagne wines are made in France, with a long period of second fermentation in the bottle. After the second fermentation in the bottle, the wine has been aged for 36 months on fine lees (sur lie ageing) which allowed it to develop extra complexity and the much desired creaminess on the palate. The grapes for this sparkling wine were sourced from the Târnave-Târnăveni vineyards, planted around the village of Târnava Mică in Mureş county at 350 meters altitude. This is also a millésime sparkling wine, which means that it was created from a single harvest, that of 2018. That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to the tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: medium-deep yellow color
clarity: bright yellow hues at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: powerful & ripe
fruit character: ripe to dried

This sparkling wine offers a captivating interplay of aromas on the nose, with ripe and even slightly dried yellow fruits that take center stage, hinting at quince, yellow apple and asian pear that are just slightly past their prime. After a while, some intriguing nuances of dried herbs and hay weave emerge, adding a touch of complexity. As the wine breathes, subtle hints of dried leaves and a whisper of nuts can be detected in the background, hinting at some slight oxidation.

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

The palate echoes the nose, offering a range of ripe to dried yellow fruit flavors, with subtle herbal notes that linger alongside the fruit in the background, adding a layer of complexity. The wine’s acidity is slightly underwhelming, allowing the nuanced touch of alcoholic warmth to come forward and disturb the wine’s balance. That said, the finish is surprisingly appealing, with a lingering seediness that provides a pleasant structure. Overall, the palate leans towards a slightly austere and oxidative style.

//Verdict
maturity: past its prime | on the decline | drink now or within a year
verdict: nice | enjoyable & good | a well made wine that lacks elegance and finesse

All in all, this sparkling wine presents an interesting mix between structure and complexity, with a lingering seediness on the finish that provides some texture. However, the mouthfeel is a bit sharp and angular, which makes this wine lean towards a more austere and oxidative style, which some might find appealing. That being said, those wine enthusiasts seeking for a smoother and creamier experience often associated with aged sparklings, might find it a touch disjointed and should look elsewhere.

//Scoring
VILLA VINÈA | Cuvèe Celést | Brut | 2018
variety: chardonnay | pinot noir
country: Romania | Transilvania
region: Târnave-Târnăveni
rating: 91.8
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This is definitely a nice wine of Romania and with a total of 91.8 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 slightly oxidative character and underwhelming acidity, we believe it would be a great match for richly-flavored appetizers or with charcuterie featuring cured meats like prosciutto or soppressata. The wine’s acidity would cut through the fattiness of the meats, while the wine’s oxidative hints would complement the savory flavors of the meat board. On a second thought, this wine could also stand up to bolder dishes like for grilled salmon with a creamy dill sauce, as its herbal notes would echo the dill, while the wine’s acidity would counter the smooth fattiness of the fish. 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.