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Thursday, August 24, 2017

Wine Review: Castra Ruba Dominant 2011 & Legio I Merlot / Cabernet Franc 2014

August is The Third Annual Bulgarian Wine Month thanks to BulgarianWine.com

Castra Ruba Dominant 2011 & Legio I Merlot / Cabernet Franc 2014

For the third year in a row, it's Bulgarian Wine Month thanks to BulgarianWine.com! Check out the reviews from the first year (2015)the second year (2016), and this year (2017).

To read about the fascinating history of Bulgarian wine, check out Bulgaria - Part 1: Three-Thousand Years of Wine History. To learn about the grapes, wine regions and Bulgarian wine's place in the market, read Part 2: The Current State of Bulgarian Wine. And if you'd like to see what Bulgaria's national drink is all about, find out in Part 3: Invincibility of Rakia.

Today I've got two red blends made from international grape varietals! One is from Thracian Valley and the other is from Danubian Plain. Let's get started!

CASTRA RUBA DOMINANT 2011

Out of Thracian Valley, this is a blend of 50% Syrah, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 14.5% ABV. The color of the wine is a dark ruby red. There's aromas of lavender, grape jelly, chocolate covered raisins, and cedar. It's light to medium bodied with soft tannin and an unbalanced acidity. There's flavors of flat cola, black currant, and grape jelly. It finishes hot and with flavors of grape jelly and cedar. It just seems out of sorts, and I'm not a fan. I think this vintage might be past its prime.

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $15
Rating: 2/5 = Satisfying. (what does that mean?)

LEGIO I MERLOT & CABERNET FRANC 2014

This bottle just looks BADASS with a legionnaire in the background of the label. And it's also a blend of my two favorite red varietals! Its 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc out of the Danubian Plain, with an ABV of 13.5%. This guy is a blackish ruby red, if that's even a thing. And oooooooooh lordy lordy LORDY what a nose it has! It's one of those noses that makes your eyeballs roll into the back of your head in an olfactory orgasm. Black pepper, spearmint, black cherries, plums, vanilla, black tea, and toasted oak ride strong ethanol vapors up into your nostrils. It's full bodied and lush with a bit of a perky acidity. There's flavors of cranberries, plums, seasoned tomatoes, wet autumn earth and cocoa powder. It finishes silky smooth with flavors of cranberries, plums and earth. Nomnomnomnomnom! This is SPECTACULAR! I'm in love with this wine, and I think you should get on BulgarianWine.com and buy it!

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $16
Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended. (what does that mean?)

The bottles used were supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.

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