(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) A little sulphur, then a slightly bracken quality and nice red fruit. On the palate it has nice silky texture and smoothness, with a creamy strawberry fruit and comes through with good balance and enough grip to add some drama and interest.
(2009) Nice creamy oak, with a touch of briar and good raspberry and strawberry fruit. The palate is smooth, creamy and juicy, with plenty of ripe, red berry fruits but again the structure is subtle but there, adding some grip and freshness with good acidity.
(2009) Has that schisty, dry, cherry and slightly liquoricy quality. Lovely clean and ripe fruit. The palate has that backstop of liquorice and dark, edgy tannin, but the cherry and plum fruit fills in. Good balance and a nice, long finish.
(2009) This has a nice peppery, black fruited Syrah character, with plenty of juicy fruit on the palate, but there's a nice stripe of tannin and lovely chocolaty richness that fills in on the finish. Long and savoury, and showing some real character.
