Legenda Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005

Legenda is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet and Merlot, claret yet with a riper, fuller edge. It comes from the landlocked country of Moldova, that in 1991 gained independence from Russia. The country has an impressive wine heritage, dating back to the third century BC and the Greek settlements on the Black Sea. In the 19th century, the Russian Tsars ''turned for their finest table wines to what was then Moldavia'' Hugh Johnson. In the same century, German, Swiss, then French vine growers all brought their viticultural skills to Moldova, laying the foundations for a highly successful modern wine industry. That said, Moldova has considerable practical problems to surmount, yet there is enormous potential. We have worked with the medal winning Corten Estate for the last five years, helping them with practical advice as well as with investment. The results have been a medal winning range of wines from the sumptuous claret style of this wine to a crisp, minerally Pinot Grigio. Cahul has an ideal climate for viticulture ... so good in fact that its vineyards have been accredited as organic by the New Zealand authorities. Winters are cold, dropping to minus 20, allowing the vines a period of dormancy while Summers are long and warm to bring the grapes to perfect ripeness. The biting north wind tends to keep disease at bay and the fruit healthy.