Chateau Purcari Freedom Blend 2023

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. This unusual red wine combines the viticultural traditions of Moldova, the Ukraine, and Georgia thanks to its trio of grape varieties hailing from these different nations. The principal ingredient is Bastardo followed by the Georgian grape Saperavi and a drop of the local Moldovan Rara Neagra variety. The fruit is all grown on the Chateau Purcari estate close to the Black Sea and is carefully harvested by hand to ensure quality. Once in the winery the grapes are vinified according to local winemaking techniques and the young wine is then transferred to French oak barrels for 12 months. The result is an intense and magnificent red wine which has its own unique character with plenty of dark cherry, blackberry and cassis notes and hints of red pepper, leather and earthy forest floor. The firm tannins and full body make this a great wine to enjoy now alongside hearty red meat dishes or to keep in the cellar for another decade or so. Chateau Purcari is Moldovas oldest winery with a history that stretches back to an official decree issued by Tsar Nicholas I in 1827. In the 19th century the estate enjoyed a golden age, winning medals all over Europe with their exceptional wines. More recently Chateau Purcari has been experiencing a revival at home and abroad, winning scores of medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2019 and 2020.