(2022) All natural yeasts, organic and no added sulphur with 20% in amphora. Yeasty and herbal aromas, lots of skin-contact character, fruit skins and a touch of wheat beer character. Juicy and sweet-fruited on the palate, still has a talcumy, chalky character that is very pleasing. Nicely balanced.
(2022) Pale, peachy-pink, this comes from Cramele Recas, the go-ahead commercial winery that supplies a lot of good quality wine under various brands to UK supermarkets and bigger retailers. Blending Feteasca Neagra with Merlot, Pinot noir and Cabernet sauvignon, it is just about dry, with cold ferment pear drop and tutti-frutti aromas, sweetness and peach fruit on the palate, but you know ow what? It's very well done and as a summer in the garden sipper it does a fine job.
(2019) The variety here is Mustoas de Maderat, originating from the village of Maderat in the western Romanian region of Transylvania. The colour is a pale yellow/gold and the aromas are unsually spicy and deep, nutty, appley and a little oxidative, but in an attractive, bruised pear way that has certain similarities to Champagne perhaps. In the mouth it is quite full and textured, rich and substantial, yet there is no disecernable oak and the alcohol is modest. An unusual wine, fresh and yet broad, it has a touch of the 'natural wines' about it, and the price falls to £8.10 for members of the Daily Drinker's wine club. Watch the video for food matching suggestions and more information.
(2015) I have to say I absolutely loved this slightly bonkers wine. Made in north-western Romania by the progressive Carmele Recas, which has an English owner and Australian winemaker, it is an unlikely blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Feteasca Reara and Muscat Ottonel, along with the red wine grape, Cabernet Franc, but made as a highly aromatic white wine. Ageing in oak barrels gives an inviting toast and honey depth to the nose, but it is such wonderful spikes of perfume that really power this, from floral to herbal and from tropical to citrus, it's aromatic fireworks in a glass. On the palate the fruit is explosive too, bursting with ripe peach and pear, a mandarin orange brightness, and then a core of lemony acidity that streaks through the finish. Watch the video for my full review and for specific food matching suggestions.
(2012) A bit of smokiness, pepper and almost smoky bacon notes, deliciously juicy on the palate, with a sinewy tannin and acid structure, a touch of saline minerality, but the fruit sweetness is there.
(2009) Barrel fermented, but not aged in wood. Picked in three stages - over, under and perfectly ripe. Nicely creamy nose, with a cashew and almond note. The palate has lovely freshness and a hint of grapefruit and lemon zest that it really zingy, finishing with lots of sherbetty dazzle against a little residual sugar. Delicious and different.
(2009) No malolactic here and three or four months in barrique. Again a nicely nutty nose, with very good fruit on the palate, with lots of apple and pear, and a hint of hazelnut, into a long finish touched by coffee but with fine acidity.
(2009) Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Feteasca Regala and Cabernet Sauvignon. Interesting, herb and lime-spiked nose, with lots of crunch and zest. The palate has quite a rich texture, with very juicy acidity and lemon pith dryness, but the zing and zest of the blend really pushes through.
(2009) Screwcap. Merlot, with a little Feteasca Negra and 5% Muscat. A tiny bit of sulphur, with fine herbal notes and a little raspberry fruit. The palate has real sweetness (though only 5.7g/l residual sugar) but the fruit is good, with a bit of zip and zing.
