Solevari Reserve Pinot Noir, Cramele Recas, Viile Timisului, Romania

Tasting Note

Purple red colour, with violet flecks this is youthful with lots of red fruits on the nose alongside intense black fruits (sour cherries, blueberries, cranberries) and floral aromas. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and a slightly bitter, spicy finish.

Grapes

100% Pinot Noir

How to Drink

Easy drinking and very approachable Solevari is a really good introduction to Pinot Noir and is a great match for a hearty roast chicken dinner with smoked bacon wrapped sausage and stuffing, cured meats such as prosciutto or mushroom bruschetta.

Producer Information

Back in 1988, three families decided to invest in a winery in Romania, starting with 650ha of slightly unloved vineyards and a rusty, formerly state-owned winery. Today, Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira have turned the Cramele Recas Estate into the most successful winery in Romania.

Recas are now recognized globally for their impressive scale and breadth of fascinating wines, including natural and orange wines made from organic grapes. Despite the increase in scale, the emphasis remains on making quality wines that over-deliver – a magic formula that has recently seen sales boom. The vineyards are a combination of old vines and more recent plantings, and the winery has seen significant investment in state of the art facilities. 

Production Information

Grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed, pressed after 10 days and then undergo a natural malolactic fermentation. A little time spent in French oak, medium toasted adds a little complexity without it dominating the flavour profile. Local climatic conditions encourage the development and depth of flavour, the skins are only worked lightly to achieve soft tannins and sweet fruit, whilst oak use is balanced with flavour intensity and the wine bottled early to retain freshness.