Budureasca Premium Fetească Neagră 2016 (Romania) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is an early sneak preview of a red wine from Romania that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on May 2nd.

Budureasca is located in central-southeastern Romania and was inaugurated in 2013. It is one of the newest and largest wineries in Dealu Mare region. However, the Dealu Mare vineyard is an oasis of peace in the sunny hills and is an ancient place with deep roots in the history and culture of wine. Archaeological evidence found nearby suggests that this place has a particularly rich tradition of winemaking since the time of the Dacians or even their ancestors, the ancient Thracians.

The area includes numerous hills and valleys, from the Teleajen river in the west and up to the Buzau river in the east. The hilly massif, with its southern position, is an ideal place for growing vines. The Budureasca vineyards have an altitude between 175 metres and 400 metres and the area is favourable for growing both black and white grapes.

This particular wine is made with the Fetească Neagră (Black Maiden in English) varietal, an old pre-phylloxera black grape of Romanian-Moldovan origin that is still cultivated today in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The grapes for this red wine come from vines more than 30 years old and were fermented in stainless steel tanks, followed by partial ageing in oak barrels for 5 months.

Tasting Note:

BUDUREASCA PREMIUM FETEASCĂ NEAGRĂ 2016 - DOC-CMD Dealu Mare, Romania (#263913) (XD) - $15.95
100% Fetească Neagră from 30+ year old vines, 50% of which was aged in oak barrels for 5 months. Fresh, clean, medium+ nose of cherries, blackberry, bramble, and oak spice aromas. It is medium+ bodied and dry on the palate with soft, rounded tannins and flavours of dark berry, cherry, and wood spice. Acids are very good, while oak spice notes linger on the long finish, if a touch warming. A worthy exploration of Black Maiden. Score: 87 pts