One more experiment of the evening. But the one that turned out to have a happy ending. It took second place based on the average score. A good combination of warm-climate Pinot Noir (e.g. red fruits, blood and underbrush) with caramel, chilli and coffee. Round, velvety and well-balanced. It has a long aftertaste with flavours of blood, red fruits and dark chocolate with chilli pepper. Nice.

Tasted again in a more appropriate environment - chilled and served in big Zalto glasses. Pale garnet colour. Warm and oldish bouquet: rich strawberry compote, bitter herbs, dill, wet forest floor, raw meat, mushrooms and hints of rabbit fur. Medium body, juicy, elegant and stylish. It would be nice to have higher acidity. It's getting close to its peak, so don't hide too far away. Better drink within a year or two.

My favourite winery from Ștefan Vodă. Beautiful nose full of strawberry stew, forest floor, herbs, mushrooms and bloody meat. Juicy, more ripe than I would like it to be, but elegant and well-balanced with medium body. Neat.