Domaine Danubiane Merlot 2007

Domaine Danubiane is a velvet smooth red made from Merlot, the great grape of Pomerol and Saint Emilion. It comes from the ancient and largely forgotten vineyards of Romania which have been groomed for viticulture for the last 6,000 years, so historians divine from the archaelogical evidence that has been found. Much of Romania belongs to a bygone age, but not the multi award winning cellar which crafted this wine. It lies in the town of Turnu Severin, formerly known as the ancient city of Drobeta. It takes its name from the tower built to commemorate the death of the Roman emperor, Septimus Sever, and there the ruins of a Roman city, including the baths and a bridge over the Danube, can still be seen. The cellar, however, is of the highest spec, having imported modern equipment from Italy. This is still quite a rarity in Romania and contrasts to the villages surrounding it, many of which still do not have running water, and donkey and cart, not car, is the usual mode of transport. Winemaker at this cellar is an Italian, Fiorenzo Rista, who after much experience winemaking in northern Italy, came to Romania, fell in love with a Romanian lady and never returned to his homeland. This luscious Merlot has excellent concentration thanks to 15 year old, low yielding vines, while a well protected microclimate and plentiful sunshine ensures excellent ripeness.