Grape harvest and winemaking:
The carefully selected grapes, only from plots with a special exposure, are manually harvested in plastic crates. The production is limited to 40 hl to allow the grapes to reach full maturity. A second selection of the grapes is made in the winery, on the sorting belt, before crushing. Next come the destemming, the must is pumped in automatically-controlled temperature stainless steel cisterns. The first part of the alcoholic fermentation and a careful maceration take place here, to obtain a balanced wine, rich in round tannins and coloring substances. Towards the end of the alcoholic fermentation the wine is racked to French oak barriques where the malolactic fermentation also takes place, followed by a period of wine refinement through maturation for 15-18 months. The wine is bottled and aged in bottles for a minimum of 6 months in the cellar of the Winery.
Wine tasting:
VINTAGE :
DENOMINATION OF ORIGIN: DOC-CMD Mehedinţi; ROMANIA
CELLAR: The wine is produced and bottled at Starmina Castle - Vinarte Winery.
CLIMATE: Temperate-continental with Mediterranean influences.
SOIL: in the high areas and on the slopes it is eroded reddish-brown with running rubble deposits and towards the foot of the hills the soil is argillaceous-illuvial.
VARIETY: Merlot 90%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.0% vol
TASTING NOTES: Appearance: clear, bright intense ruby-red, with reddish brown reflexes. Nose: intense and elegant, characteristic aromas of mellow plums and forest fruit, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, sweet spices. Palate: dry, full, dense texture, strong and balanced, with round tannins and prolonged aftertaste.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: the optimum drinking temperature is of 18ºC. One may serve it with grilled or baked red meat dishes, medium-sized venison, traditional Romanian meat-based dishes, mature cheeses.
AGING POTENTIAL: the wine can be aged in bottles (8-12 years) in cellar conditions, thus acquiring a velvety texture and a complex bouquet.