CORCOVA | Lady Asquith | 2020
chardonnay | viognier

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The story of Corcova Winery is deeply intertwined with romanian nobility and a commitment to viticultural excellence. Its origins trace back to Prince Antoine Bibescu, a distinguished diplomat and litterateur, and his esteemed wife, Lady Asquith. In the early 20th century, they embarked on a visionary project, cultivating vineyards in Corcova and Jirov and establishing a state-of-the-art winery in 1910. The ‘Lady Asquith’ label itself is a heartfelt tribute to her, honoring her pivotal role in the winery’s foundation and enduring spirit, symbolizing the elegance and historical depth that define Corcova wines today.Today we are going to review a very rare wine from the Mehedinti-Corcova sub-region of Oltenia in southern Romania – Lady Asquith 2020 by Corcova. This wine is a harmonious blend of two grape varieties: chardonnay and viognier – two noble grape varieties chosen for their complementary characteristics, where chardonnay forms the wine’s main body and structure, providing the signature oily texture and a canvas for oak integration, whereas viognier adds aromatic intensity, layers of floral notes and a more silky texture on the palate. The grapes were sourced from the sunny slopes of Oltenia, rich in mineral-rich soils, where the grapes benefit from optimal ripening conditions. The winemaking process is carefully orchestrated, including a brief maceration on grape skins to enhance aromatic extraction, followed by fermentation in 400L barrels and maturation in 225L French oak barriques, where the wine has been left in contact with fine lees (sur lie ageing), with regular bâtonnage – a winemaking technique designed to enhance the wine’s aromatic complexity, gaining in body and developing a luxurious mouthfeel.

The Mehedinti wine region is situated in the Carpathian foothills, benefiting from the moderate continental climate influenced by the nearby Danube river. The landscape, marked by rolling hills and valley terraces, provides excellent drainage and ample sunlight, crucial for grape cultivation. The hilly landscapes of Mehedinti area, are characterized by warm summers and relatively mild winters, which form almost ideal conditions for ripening grapes. Summers, though generally warm, are mitigated by cool nights, thanks to the proximity of dense forests and mountains. This diurnal temperature variation is vital for preserving natural acidity while allowing the grapes to achieve full phenolic ripeness and develop complex aromatic compounds. The soils here, part of the larger Getic Piedmont (specifically the Motru Piedmont), exhibits a varied lithological structure and rich minerality. This diverse soil composition provides excellent drainage and a broad spectrum of nutrients, which impart a specific mineral character to the wines produced here.

color: medium-deep yellow color
clarity: pale pastel-yellow hues

In the glass, the wine presents a medium-deep yellow color, with a warm, golden glow that hints at its richness and maturity. This hue is complemented by delicate pastel yellow shades at the rim of the glass, adding a touch of youthful vibrancy.

intensity: rich & twiggy
fruit character: ripe

The olfactory profile is both rich and complex, with a creamy-twiggy nose that speaks of oak integration and a ripe, almost dehydrated fruit character. The foreground is dominated by an alluring array of orchard fruits, with prominent notes of golden delicious apple, quince, and asian pear, intertwined with subtle herbal nuances of straw grass and hay. As the bouquet evolves, delicate hints of brioche, beeswax, and honey emerge, adding layers of sweet complexity. The background gracefully introduces an exotic dimension of tropical fruits, such as cantaloupe and quince jam, harmoniously blended with charming floral notes of chamomile, acacia flowers, and lindenflower. These vibrant fruit and floral elements are beautifully underpinned by rich, inviting notes of sun-dried oakwood and vanilla – a direct hint to its careful barrel maturation, creating an aromatic profile that is both profound and utterly captivating.

sweetness: dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: low | balance: fair
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: astringent & heady

On the palate, the wine delivers an ample and rich mouthfeel, showcasing a complex and well-structured body that feels voluptuous, smooth and round. This wine feels like a textbook, French-style, oak-aged Chardonnay-based blend. It boasts a dry profile, balanced by a crisp acidity that initially enlivens the palate. However, an overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth becomes apparent, lending a certain boldness to the tasting experience. The texture is characterized by seedy-smooth tannins, culminating in a heady-crisp aftertaste. While the wine undeniably expresses very nice varietal typicity for both Chardonnay and Viognier, exhibiting a rich and creamy core with appealing oak characteristics, it also reveals a slightly sharp and austere, almost rough palate. This leads to an astringent and heady finale, indicating a slight lack of overall harmony and finesse. Therefore the wine feels off balance, primarily due to the prominent alcohol level, which somewhat overshadows its otherwise amazing complexity and brilliant structure.

maturity: in its prime | drink now or within a year
verdict: fine | excellent wine | a wine of premium quality

Overall, this is a fine example of a well-crafted, oak-aged Chardonnay & Viognier blend, imbued with that unmistakable old-world charm. It presents a delicate and creamy profile, showcasing rich fruit and elegant oak integration. While it undeniably achieves good varietal typicity and offers substantial complexity, our assessment notes that the wine is currently in its prime form and ready to be enjoyed today. However, it also possesses the potential to develop even greater complexity and aromatic sophistication within the next year of bottle ageing in proper conditions, which might help soften its current sharper edges. The subtle prominence of alcohol on the palate, which contributes to a slightly angular finish, suggests that while it is a wine of premium quality, it falls just short of achieving perfect harmony and seamless finesse.

Given the wine’s ample body and pronounced oak influence, it demands food pairings that can stand up to its immense intensity. Consider pairing this wine with pan-seared fatty fish fillets, such as salmon or sea bass, cooked in butter or crusted in cornmeal on the griddle. A classic mushrooms risotto would also be an excellent choice, as the wine’s body and oak notes will match the dish’s creamy texture. For a more adventurous pairing, try pasta with a rich pesto and toasted pine nuts or some hard and semi-hard cheeses that are lightly smoked or aged, that would create a delightful interplay, balancing the wine’s fruit and oak characteristics. Decanting in a white wine decanter with an ice pocket is recommended before serving to allow its full potential to unfold. Enjoy!CORCOVA | Lady Asquith | 2020
variety: chardonnay | viognier
country: Romania
region: Oltenia | Mehedinti-Corcova
rating: 92.9

Lady Asquith is a homage to the late wife of the illustrious Prince Antoine Bibescu. The couple were the proprietors and the visionaries behind the Corcova winery. In 1910, they build the winery, equipping it with advanced concrete vinification tanks – a testament to their pioneering spirit and dedication to quality. Remarkably, these very same facilities continue to be utilized for the production of Corcova wines today, maintaining a tangible link to its storied past.
© 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. Cheers!