Black Label Red Blend #2 - 2017
Novak
Ratings
I had some expectations for this label, but unfortunately, it ended up being the most uninspiring wine of the evening. It's not that all the other bottles were particularly niche or experimental—some were quite mainstream and commercial. However, this wine just didn't stand out. It offered generic notes of black fruits, spices, smoke, and oak, but lacked confidence and freshness. On the plus side, its straightforward character makes it easy to understand.
Novak
Novak Winery, situated in the Cantemir district of the Republic of Moldova, melds tradition with modern innovation, embodying a fresh vision of time-honored winemaking practices. Established on the foundation of an old enterprise from 1977, the winery was officially founded in 2004 and has since gained prominence in the southern region of the country.
Spanning over 30 hectares in IGP Valul lui Traian, the Novak vineyards can be found across Comrat, Tartaul, and Ciobalaccia villages. These vineyards are home to both classic and indigenous grape varieties. Alongside international favorites like Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Malbec, they also cultivate traditional local varieties such as Rară Neagră and Feteasca Regală. Notably, the winery has championed the revival of certain nearly forgotten varieties, including Alb de Onițcani and Floricica, which some experts believed were lost in history.