9/11/2014 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

One of the pioneer premium wines in Romania spanning more than 16 vintages. 100% Merlot matured for 12 months in small oak barrels.

The color is deep dark red. The nose needs time to open up, but when it does it shows a well developed, intense and complex sweet nose, filled with aromas of dark plums, cinnamon, dark chocolate, black cherry and smoke. Full bodied, with silky tannins and great structure, it washes the palate with rich flavors of blackberries, cranberries, chocolate and spices. Medium to long finish, with assertive tannins in the aftertaste and a mild dark chocolate/black cherry aftertaste. (90-91/100)

9/11/2014 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 15-18 months in small oak barrels. 2009 was a very successful vintage for Romania and for this wine. Deep red color, the nose is well developed, intense and complex. It somehow resembles a Left Bank Bordeaux. Notes of cassis, smoke, paprika and spices make up the sweet and complex nose. Full bodied but supple on the palate, with assertive but well polished tannins, this is rich in flavors. Medium to long finish, with dark chocolate aftertaste (90-91/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Youthful dark red garnet color. Well developed nose that starts shy initially, but after 2 hours of aeration in the bottle, it starts to develop very intense aromas that can be felt far away from the glass. Smoky plums, pencil shavings, coffee bean and cedar dominate the nose in a very welcoming way, with ripe fruits in the background: cranberry, black cherry and black currant. Full bodied, youthful, lively and well balanced, the wine shows a great structure on the palate with vibrant fruit mixed with bitter chocolate, clove spice and other similar flavors as on the nose. Long finish with soft tannins and lingering flavors. The wine exhibits a brilliant youthfulness and entered an optimum drinking plateau where it can easily stay for a decade or more. There is really no rush to open it now as it can still evolve. There is some sediment that can be avoided by leaving the bottle standing up and pouring with care. (92-93/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep yellow lemon color with green reflections. Intense and sweet nose, with subtle aromas of pineapple, yellow peach, pear, candied lime and melon, with very little traces of petrol. The wine is very fruity and racy on the palate, with plenty of fruity flavors in the aftertaste and mouth-watering acidity. It does not have the richness, nor the complexity of a Niederhauser Hermannshohle Spatlese, but it is nevertheless easy to drink and enjoy. 8.5% alc (92/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep dark red garnet color. Intense nose but rather shy compared to the blockbuster that it used to be; it certainly gives the impression of a more elegant wine. There are however rich aromas of ripe fruit mixed with coffee, toffee, tobacco and spices on the nose. Full bodied and dense on the palate, it is the first time that it shows a backward character. The tannins are ripe and sweet, it is well balanced, but the wine is no longer generous in flavors. It maintains a good structure and has a long fruity and spicy finish, but I feel that it is somehow closing down. This has to be followed and see how it develops in time. 14.5% alc (91/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Dark ruby red color with a certain brick tone at the rim. Completely closed,charmless and thin on the palate initially. I was actually fearing that the wine is dead when I tasted it just after uncorking. After 1-2 hours the wine changed dramatically. The nose is fully mature, with very little red fruit left and dominated by aromas of coffee bean, tobacco, forest floor and cedar. Medium bodied and rather watery on the palate, it certainly lacks the density and the charm of the 1995. The tannins are rather aggressive, especially on the finish, while the maturing flavors and the very little red fruit that it is still left on the palate is not able to harmoniously balance the abrasive tannins structure. Medium and drying finish. 12.5% (86-87/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Youthful dark red garnet color with really no signs of aging. Shy and closed on the nose when initially opened, this wine expands its aromatics by the minute, being fully opened after 1-2 hours. Well developed and maturing nose, intense, with generous aromas of smoke, dried red paprika, coffee bean, cedar, gamey undertones and still plenty of cranberries and black currant fruit. It successfully preserves a sweet and spicy nose. Full bodied and supple on the palate, this is classic aged St-Julien. Well structured and balanced, with smooth and ripe tannins, the wine shows red fruit mixed with coffee and pencil shavings on the palate. After 2 hours, the Cabernet Sauvignon typical aromas of black currant and green bell pepper dominate the stage. Medium plus finish with good freshness and an espresso like flavor. 12.5% alc (90-91/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep, saturated ruby color. Well developed, complex and explosive nose that only builds up with aeration. Intense aromas of sweet ripe red fruit, blood orange, cola and tobacco burst out of the glass initially and, as it aerates, subtle and complex aromas of game, iron and even blood add more depth. Full bodied and deeply concentrated, this is a really intense, multi-layered and powerful wine for now. Well balanced, with firm but smooth tannins and a built to last structure, the wine is fleshy, with vibrant red fruit, spices and lively acidity. Long finish and great clarity. This is a youthful wine, with serious potential for very long aging, but already rewarding the drinker. 14% alc. (93/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep yellow gold color with fine mousse and rich smooth bubbles. I love the well developed, intense and rich nose of this Champagne. Strong aromas of yeast, refined citrus fruit with a touch of vanilla and plenty of yellow spice dance in the glass. Fullness, ripeness and elegance come to mind when tasting this Champagne. Rich and expressive on the palate, this has a very pronounced vinosity. It is just at the border between a still white wine and a sparkling, successfully balancing the richness of a classy white and the liveliness of a Champagne . Long, spicy and citric finish. I really love this style of Champagne. (92-93/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Medium yellow lemon color with some green reflections and fine smooth bubbles. Intense nose without the richness and perhaps a bit more austere compared to Egly-Ouriet Pinot Meunier based Champagne, but still charming and refreshing, with plenty of aromas of citrus fruits, wet rocks, almonds and surprisingly very little yeasty aromas . Medium body with sharp acidity and good precision on the palate. Medium finish, citric and refreshing.

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep gold color. This wine has a really complex nose that changed its aromatics constantly with each glass we sipped. Rich and intense aromas that resembles initially a Mosel Rielsing with pineapple, quince, pear and peach, then shifting to fresher aromas of orange and tangerine peel, ripe lime, melon and vanilla, with depth given by the complex Asian spices that always stay in the background. Full bodied, ripe and creamy on the palate, this has incredible richness and balance, with medium acidity. The Asian spice mixed with fresh tropical yellow fruits shows unbelievable concentration. Long finish and lingering flavors. This is a stunning wine. 13.5% alc

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Pale yellow color with green reflections. This is classic, textbook Sauvignon Blanc, showing intense aromas of elder flower, passion fruit, green apple and citric fruits. Full bodied, lively and fresh, with a medium citric and fresh finish. After the high complexity of Chapoutier’s Hermitage Blanc, this wine comes a bit more basic - understandable considering the serving order , but it still seduces with its great typicality and intense flavors. (88-89/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Saturated ruby color with a minimal orange rim. Well developed, youthful and intense nose. The red fruit represented in various forms is highly celebrated on the nose: cranberries, red and black cherry, strawberries, together with complex aromas of orange peel, blood orange, spices, tobacco and game. There is a stunning purity of red fruit on the nose that I enjoyed tremendously. Full bodied, lively and balanced, this wine has a great drink-ability. Assertive but smooth tannins and a killer acidity provide a long lasting structure to this wine. Medium plus finish, always on the red fruit profile and fresh. (90-91/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

This Champagne is produced and elevated as a great white wine: it is harvested from Grand Cru vineyards, it spends 6 months on its lees in stainless steel tanks and then aged in small oak barrel for another 6 months prior to the secondary fermentation in bottle. The barrels use the same wood for oak as Dom Perignon. The end result is a serious and rich fizz. Blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

Pale gold color with rich foam and very smooth and rich bubbles. Complex nose that reveals itself in stages, great intensity of aromas, that start initially with oak, blending in quickly, classy citrus fruit, marzipan and plenty of yeast, revealing small red berry fruits, lime and apple pie with aeration. This is really big in the mouth, full bodied with slightly oxidative notes, extremely vinous, it has the richness of a great white Burgundy. Lush on the palate, showing the combined creaminess and complexity of a fine sparkling and a still white wine. Long finish, with refined citrus fruit flavors. This is serious Champagne and a regular white wine glass, to give more space for aeration, is more suitable than a normal flute glass to serve it in. Also, decanting for at least 30 minutes can only benefit this sparkling wine. A compelling Champagne experience. (92-93/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Dark red-ruby color. Well developed and expressive nose, it exhibits a beautiful definition of red fruit. Spices, chocolate, herbs and licorice gradually build on the nose . Full bodied, assertive, ripe and sweet tannins, balanced, combining freshness and concentration, this wine shows vibrant fruit, savoury spices and a lush palate. Long, racy and spicy finish. Up to an extent, this is 2004 packed with more fruit and more muscle. Still a baby but it will develop very well in time. 14% alc. (94-95/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Darker red color. It is the only wine that shows very ripe, almost prunes like aromas. This can be a bit tiring compared to the other wines. Rich, very ripe fruit, licorice, prunes and spicy aromas on the nose. Full bodied, it seems more concentrated and very spicy on the palate compared to ’04 and ’05, assertive and bigger tannins in the mouth, and a medium plus long spicy finish. A bigger wine, even though the alcohol stays at the same 14%. (91-92/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

This wine was uncorked early in the morning, then re-corked and placed in the fridge for a slow oxygenation until 18:30 when we drank it. Even in these conditions, the wine still seems to hide more secrets.

Same saturated ruby red color. Well developed and intense nose, but not having the same palette of aromatics as 2004. It shows great fresh red fruit, spices and probably less meaty, but still resembles the 2004. Full bodied, with fine grained tannins and more structured in the mouth, the wine combines red berry fruits, spices, thyme, a touch of graphite and licorice with a lively acidity and welcoming freshness. Long finish, but not as convincing as 2004. 14% alc. (92-93/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Saturated red ruby color. Superb nose, well developed, intense and very expressive, combining fresh red fruits with game, meat, graphite and spices. Full bodied, with a killer acidity, this wine has the minerality and the character of a Northern Rhone Syrah (reminded me of 2006 Thierry Allemand Reynard Cornas: odd but lovely !), savoury, long and really delicious. Long finish, with great freshness and some lovely thyme and sage flavors. This is fully accessible now and just a pleasure to drink. Will continue to age well also. 14% alc. (94+/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Opaque, dark red-purple color. Developing nose and very youthful, with intense aromas of stewed dark fruits, blackberry liqueur, cocoa powder, toasty oak and plenty of spices. Full bodied, dense and extracted, with plenty of assertive tannins showing a firm grip in the mouth, it feels very closed on the palate. Medium plus spicy finish and not too expressive for the moment. It needs more time to open up but it has potential. 14.5% alc (89/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

An evolved, saturated and a bit cloudy ruby red color with a pronounced brick rim. The color does not encourage for a longer keeping. The nose is fully developed, but somehow still youthful, intense and round, showing spicy and toasty oak, sweet plums, black currant, cedar, tobacco and old leather. Medium plus bodied, with completely integrated tannins, good acidity, mellow mouth-feel but still very enjoyable, with similar flavors on the palate. Short to medium spicy finish. The wine does not require any decanting, it is enjoyable straight from the bottle. I tasted the wine during two days and it did not improve on the second day, as a matter of fact it did the opposite: on the second day it lost some of the charming aromas from the nose, showed some rusty, metallic flavors and a shorter finish. I do not believe the wine will improve more from here, it will probably stay at this level for a few more years, but, for maximum pleasure, it should be drunk now. 13% alc. (88/100) on the first day, (86/100) on the second day. However, it was worth the 29 Eur I paid for it, at this level I would probably buy it again.

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Deep yellow gold color. Well developed, complex and really intense bouquet, overall sweet on the nose, extremely youthful, with very nice aromas of pinneaple, peach, melon, warm rubber, citrus fruit – red pinked lemon, yellow spice and basil. Full bodied, lively and refreshing acidity, rich on the palate, off dry, but the acidity keeps everything in perfect balance and keeps it extremely fresh and closer to a dry wine. The wine has really intense flavors and drinks very well. Medium plus finish, with ripe citrus fruit and mouth-watering acidity. This wine has a very long life ahead, there is absolutely no sign of being tired. It can stay at this level for at least a decade, but it is drinking already so well. Great example of an aged Riesling. (91/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Pale yellow lemon color with green reflections. A well developed, complex and intense nose, combining aromas of tropical and yellow fruits: mango, peach, melon and ripe lime, with a very nice smoky edge. Fresh, full bodied and extremely lively on the palate, the flavors mirror the nose. The mineral and smoky character are a touch more pronounced in the mouth, but this only makes the wine more complex. Medium plus finish, refreshing, with nice citrus fruit. A really nice wine.

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

I had this wine several times in the past 1 year and it is the first time that I find it a bit closed and quite dry in the first day as least. The wine opened up considerably on the second day.

Red garnet color with plenty of sediment that settled down in the bottle. The nose is shy in the first day but it develops very well on the second day, showing those great truffles aromas that I absolutely loved when I tried it for the first time during my visit at Chateau Leoville Poyferre in 2011. The nose exhibits aromas of red and blue forest fruits, smoke, truffles and pencil shavings. Full bodied, with a firm tannins backbone and grippy on the palate, the wine has a long life ahead of it and it mirrors the excellent conditions of the 2005 vintage: great structure, long aging potential and still not accessible. The finish is medium plus long with a roasted coffee and smoky aftertaste. It might seem to be a bit astringent due to its assertive tannins on its own, but, with baby lamb, this wine sings as all the fatness is pleasantly washed away by the same assertive tannins. Correct pairing is the key. (89/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Yellow gold color. The nose is well developed, happily combining sweetness, spices and minerality. Aromas of quince pie, pineapple and peach hold their ground very well next to warm rubber, freshly shaved ginger and ripe citrus fruit. Mouth watering acidity, lively on the palate, with generous amounts of flavors on the palate and a long finish, with spicy and citrus fruit flavors that linger in the aftertaste for a good amount of time. Really nice wine, with enough complexity and killer acidity to make it convincing.

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Youthful dark red garnet color. A well developed nose, intense, complex, with great aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, smoky plum, green bell pepper but just in a small dose, enough to increase its complexity and black cherry; a really nice nose. Full bodied, ripe and polished tannins, very balanced, with depth, fairly rich flavors on the palate and good freshness given by the mineral character. Long finish, spicy, with a very good drink-ability and very pleasant freshness. This wine is open and as much as it has a good aging potential, it is drinking extremely well already. 13% alc

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Yellow lemon color, still young. The nose is developed, youthful, with aromas of apple pie, nectarines, very discreet petrol and pineapple. Light to medium bodied, with sharp acidity and flavors of ripe citrus fruit, baked apple amd peach. Short to medium finish, fresh. (87/100)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The wine was rather charmless in the first few hours upon opening. The color is dark red-garnet with no signs of evolution. The nose is well developed and initially shows aromas of light red fruit, but vey spicy, smoky, mixing hot stones with graphite and some green bell pepper. However, after 3-4 hours this is a totally changed wine and it becomes very interesting: it gets a deep, rich floral character, losing the fruity aromas: it is the first wine I taste that feels like someone stuffed a bouquet of fresh, blue Hyacinth and smokey charcoal (very intriguing) in the glass. Medium to full bodied on the palate, with assertive tannins and a firm grip, lively, and flavors of graphite, spices and cigars ash. Medium finish, mint tea freshness, slightly bitter aftertaste, with green coffee bean and again cigars ash. I loved the deep floral character of this wine, but if you are looking for a fruit driven wine this should not be your pick. It needs a good dose of breathing in a decanter. 13.5% alc (90-91)

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The wine has a lovely dark red, garnet color. A well developed, elegant and complex nose of great intensity, constantly evolving and giving new aromas; it was even more interesting on the second day. On the first day the fruity aromas of fresh dark cherries are very pure and more intense, but on the second day the wine shows its real complexity with its tobacco, cedar, gamey and smokey dark cherries. On the palate it is full and has a darker character, good concentration, with fine grained tannins and a great structure. Dense flavors of coffee, tobacco and black fruit along some hints of minerality, with a long finish. I liked this wine a lot, as it shows complexity, appealing cedar freshness, balance and purity of fruit. There is a substantial potential for aging and in a few more years it will probably become even more interesting, even though now it can be enjoyed superbly after a few hours of aeration.

9/6/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Dark red garnet color. There is a good intensity of aromas, a very nice and developed nose, with great typicality. There are exuberant aromas of smoky oak, black cherry, graphite, coffee and plenty of green vegetables: green bell peppers, asparagus and cut hay. Medium to full body on the palate, medium acidity, with friendly tannins, rather mellow considering its age, but well structured. Similar flavors on the palate, however the wine shows some lack of substance on the mid palate. Medium finish, a bit bitter, showing a mild presence of tannins in the aftertaste. The wine shows a good openness already and it drinks very well. The greenness is quite pronounced so I would suspect that this is the mark of the 2007 vintage. It is pleasant to drink as it is but I am not sure how much it will improve in time. There is no problem holding it for at least another 5-8 years, but this is after all a vintage for short time enjoyment.

4/9/2012 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The 2009 Flamboyant is a prodigy, surpassing in quality any other wine produced in Dealu Mare during the same vintage. The wine comes from rather low yields, a normal practice at Davino. Dark red garnet color with purple reflections, the wine is loaded with extraordinary aromas of blue flowers, blueberry, cassis, mint, licorice and vanilla. The initial nose upon opening brings Feteasca Neagra’s aromas on the front stage with rich spiciness, red fruit and dry plums, but as the wine aerates it becomes very clear what is the dominant grape variety with its unmistakable aromas of green bell pepper and sweet cassis. The wine is distinctive through its opulence and structure, but also through its remarkable precision and freshness. As much as it is rich and extracted, the wine combines elegance and power, showing good balance in spite of its 14.8% alcohol. It reveals itself in stages as it aerates, with additional flavors of chocolate, coffee and ripe red fruit. It has a great purity and a long finish, with fine grained but assertive tannins, and lingering flavors of spices and fresh red and black fruits. There is a serious potential for aging and any wine lover should hold 12 bottles in its cellar and watch its development over the next 15 years or more. I can easily say that this is the best Romanian wine I had so far. This is a keeper that truly deserves its name. (93-94/100)

10/31/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Predominantly Syrah blend with parts of Grenache and Mourvedre aged for 24 months in new French oak – 14.5% alc. Deep, almost opaque dark purple color. Decadent and explosive on the nose. Blackberry, prunes, meat, beef blood, bacon and black pepper aromas. Very intense aroma of fried bacon also. The wine evolved continuously exhibiting profound depth on the nose. Full bodied, well balanced and very concentrated, really silky, with a lush almost luscious palate. Perfectly ripen tannins, velvety, preserving freshness, with rich layers of ripe black and blue berries, black pepper and a touch of minerality; overall a massive and complex wine. A very long and intense finish and really spicy-peppery aftertaste. This is an impressive wine, the concentration and the intensity are really outstanding. (95/100)

10/22/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 62% Cab sauv, 28% Merlot, 8% Petit verdot, 2% Cab franc. 13.5% alc

Dark red garnet color. The wine continued to open up over 1 h. Initially very closed and not giving up much, it started to open up after a while into a well developed and intense nose, really smoky and mineral: huge pencil shavings and ink aromas, red currant, cassis, green vegetables, cedar and even bacon fat. Beautiful and complex nose with singing Cabernet Sauvignon typicality. Extremely tight on the palate but very well structured. As much as this wine is closed now on the palate, it has everything in place to become a grand vin in time. Polished tannins, a velvety mouth-feel and really well balanced. Distinctive flavors of coffee, cocoa, green vegetables and cassis on the palate. Surprisingly mineral and long finish with good grip, and a pleasant cocoa-coffee like bitterness in the aftertaste. (93/100)

8/16/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Feteasca Neagra and 21% Merlot aged for at least 12 months in oak. (14.5% alc)
A dark red garnet, youthful color. The nose is already developed, with traces of elevage but without being in excess, mixed with black and red fruits, and a touch of spice – nutmeg and cinnamon shine out. More aging in the bottle should integrate better the oaky flavors. There is a firm tannins structure and moderate depth on the palate, well balanced, with mixed flavors of fresh red fruits, plums and spice. The finish is lifted by assertive tannins with a bit of dryness that points out the young age of this wine. Balanced and charming, should evolve well over the next 3-5 years. (88-89/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 75% Tempranillo, 12% Mazuelo, 10% Garnacha Tinta and 3% Graciano, this wine was aged in barrel for an insanely amount of time: 216 months – that’s about 18 years and another 10 years in the bottle.
The wine has already a light red almost copper color. The nose is mature, but beautiful and complex. Aromas of autumn forest floor mixed with sweet red fruit, earth, smoke and a touch of spice seduce you instantly. At least that’s how I felt. The wine is very youthful in the mouth, medium bodied, with integrated tannins, smoothly textured and elegant, it exhibits sweet red fruit, cedar, vanilla and earth on the palate. Perfect integration of the oak and a really nice mouth-feel. The finish is a bit sweet with good freshness. The wine has an amazing drinkability and surprises with its elegance and its intense aromas. Rioja at its best that can go so well with food. (92-93/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The color is a youthful dark red garnet. The nose seems still tight, with apparent oaky flavors, mixed with red fruits, spice and yoghurt. Medium bodied and well structured on the palate, the wine has charming aromas of red fruit, spice and a light touch of earth. The finish is fresh and fruity. The wine doesn’t impress at this stage, but further bottle aging will do the trick. (88/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

While it had a low fill level, the wine had no fault. Red garnet with an orange meniscus, slightly oxidized. A well developed and mature nose, showing plenty of tertiary aromas, but still preserving some of the primary red fruit. There is a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon typicality, with big green vegetables aromas: asparagus and green bell pepper mixed with cigar box, burnt charcoal, truffles, subdued red currant, earth and coffee bean. Medium bodied and well structured, with dissolved tannins and red currant flavors mixed with mocha, tobacco, graphite and a lively palate. Medium finish, with pleasant light green coffee bean bitterness. The wine is not a blockbuster, but has charm and elegance. While it already had its peak and is now going downhill, the wine can still go on in this phase for more years. It should however be drank sooner than later. (89/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The only wine that was decanted this evening and kept in the fridge for about 45 min. Red ruby with an orange-brick colored rim. The nose is well developed and mature, expressive, with baked red fruits, fig paste sweetness, orange peel freshness, smoke, earth and tobacco. Medium bodied, with lively acidity and still youthful on the palate, with flavors of fig and cigar ash in the mouth. Dissolved tannins, but the acidity keeps everything in balance. There is a touch of heat but nothing disturbing. (87/100)

I believe that the 1985 Vosne Romanee du Chateau needed more time to aerate, as it felt there was something more still hidden underneath that waited to be revealed. Unfortunately the bottle was gone too soon.

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The wine opened nicely after being uncorked and left for about 2 h in the fridge. A pale red color with a brick meniscus. The nose is mature, with a damp cellar dominating aromas initially, than revealing mixed aromas of cough syrup, smoke, light strawberry, earth and interesting wax. Medium bodied, very lively on the palate, the tannins completely dissolved, earthy, with discreet red fruit flavors and a bit mineral. Medium finish with lingering earthy red fruit. Already feels on the downhill and it should be drank sooner than later. (85/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Light red-copperish, mature, a bit oxidized color, that evolved during the evening and got darker as we finished the bottle. A mature nose, discreet at the beginning, with gentle aromas of orange peel confit, figs, a very light shade of wild strawberry jam, musk and a light touch of earth. Overall a sweet nose. Light to medium bodied initially, it gained more in body as we drank it. With sustained acidity and already mature, it has light flavors of orange peel, with almost no remaining fruit, being more earthy and gamey. The finish is medium with a sour aftertaste and fresh. There is still structure maintained by the lively acidity, but the tannins are completely dissolved. It is on the downhill already, but it still offers drinking pleasure. It opened more after 5 h and gained more gamey aromas: the animal fur mixed with the orange confit were really nice. (87-88/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The wine has a nice red garnet color with a light brick meniscus. The nose is well developed and mature, very complex and intense, with big aromas of fruit, garrigue, anise, cinnamon and a bit meaty. Full bodied, rich, fleshy and balanced, it sports depth and freshness on the palate, with ripe tannins and flavors of black cherry, pepper, old leather, musk and earth. Long and lingering finish. Gorgeous mature wine that can hold on like this for a long time. (95/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

The wine possess the mark of the 2009 vintage: concentrated, with big alcohol: 15-15.5%, but balanced and incredibly rich. Opaque, dark purple, almost black color, a rich and complex nose, full bodied, with depth and round ripe tannins, multiple layers of flavors on the palate, well mixed fruity and animal flavors, and a long finish. Young and restless for now, but will develop well. (92-93/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Lighter in color than the 2009, exhibiting a deep dark red garnet color. The nose is developed, but less expressive – 2008 was a lesser vintage in Chateauneuf du pape. The wine sports classical aromas of ripe cherry, pepper, garrigue and spices. Medium to full bodied with ripe tannins in the mouth, less concentrated than the 2009, but showing good freshness on the palate and flavors of licorice, graphite and black fruit. Medium to long peppery finish. (90-91/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

This “Vieilles Vignes” cuvee is produced in a small quantity entirely from Roussanne vines of at least 65 years of age. Intense yellow color, the wine has a reductive nose. It doesn’t have the rich aromas of the regular Chateauneuf du pape white on the nose for now. There is good concentration on the palate, but the wine still seems to be very closed at this stage. It shows good freshness and elegance, but needs a few more years to develop and open up. Medium to long finish. (90/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc, whose vines are between 10 and 40 years old. Pale yellow color, the wine impresses immediately on the nose with its rich aromas of roasted hazelnuts and nuts mixed with acacia, honey, lime and exotic spices. Amazing nose. Rich and expressive on the palate, full bodied, with complex flavors of tropical fruits, spice and a nutty character, the wine shows good balance and freshness. The finish is long and intense. I just loved this wine and it was one of the best whites tasted at the fair. (93-94/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

2007 Braida Ai Suma is a late harvest Barbesa d’Asti aged for 15 months in French oak and another 12 months in bottle. Intense deep red – purple color. A rich and developed nose with strong aromas of red fruits, cocoa, vanilla and spices. Massive concentration on the palate, this wine resembles the structure and the mouth-feel of an Amarone. The alcohol is in the same registry: 15.5% but very well balanced. Intense flavors and a very persistent finish. A wine that will last long. (92/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

2006 Braida Bricco dell’Uccellone has a deep dark red-purple color and was aged in new French oak barrels for 15 months, followed by 12 months in the bottle. 2006 was a great vintage. The nose is more restrained, but has depth and complex aromas of small red fruits, vanilla, spices and liquorice. Very well structured and more intense on the palate, it needs a few more years to open up, but there is great potential here. Red and black fruits, spices and vanilla are the dominating flavors on the palate. The finish is medium plus long. 14.5% alc (90-91/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 63.5% Cab Sauv, 33.5% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc (including 13% press wine). Yields of 46 hl/ha. 50% new French oak. Only 39% of the total production ended up in the grand vin in 2001.
Red ruby color. Well developed, but still primary on the nose, with aromas of tobacco, flowers, spices and graphite. Medium bodied, supple and expressive on the palate, well structured, it is the most classical of the line-up. Hints of green vegetables, red currant, cranberries and tobacco sing on the palate. A medium plus finish. The most masculine wine of the vertical, more austere than the other three, but still my favorite. In a Classical Bordeaux style. (91/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 58% Cab Sauv, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cab Franc(including 13.5% press wine). Yields of only 27 hl/ha. Aged in 53% new French oak barrels for around 18 months.
Deep dark red ruby color, a little soft at the edge. Less expressive on the nose than the ’04, but well developed, with nice aromatics of red fruit, tobacco, prunes and pencil leads. Medium bodied, balanced, with no hard edges, supple tannins, good concentration and expressive on the palate. Flavors of red fruit, coffee and graphite. Medium plus finish with an interesting espresso bitterness on the aftertaste. A very interesting wine. (89-90/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 52.5% Cab Sauv, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cab Franc(including 13% press wine). Yields at 52 hl/ha. Aging: 50% new French oak barrels.
A deeper dark red ruby color with purple reflections. In this case we have a well developed nose, very smoky, earthy-mineral and a bit sweet prunes-like sensation, with red currant and tobacco aromas. Medium bodied, structured with assertive tannins, a smoky palate and more intense flavors of red fruit and coffee. A medium plus finish with present tannins that maintain shades of greenness and a light bitterness. (90/100)

10/17/2011 - cosmin_grozea wrote:

Blend of 59% Cab Sauv, 35.5% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot(including 14.5% press wine). Aged in 60% new French oak. Yields of 43 hl/ha.
Dark red ruby color. A youthful and developing nose, smoky, with aromas of green vegetables, red currant and graphite. Medium bodied and really approachable in the mouth, with supple tannins. Red fruit, cedar and earthy flavors coat the palate, while the finish is medium. The wine requires a few more years in the bottle to develop the nose, but has a shorter future than the 2002 version. (88-89/100)