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Saina Nieminen

Saina Nieminen
Mileştii Mici have the largest collection of old bottles in the world (some two million). We recently got two of their "Quality Mature Wines" -series in Alko. These wines are released when mature and, if I understood correctly, are stored in vats until bottling (October 2010 for these two). I wasn't expecting much, I have to admit, but I thought these were really lovely little wines. Definitely something to buy again at these prices.

Traminer 1988 11,75euros; 11% abv
I had no idea wine of this quality was made in Moldova and, indeed, the tiny comperssed cork and the horrible label (sorry, no camera with me) didn't inspire confidence. But the wine was wonderful. It had sweet and ripe aromas of oranges, minerals, earth and rosewater. The palate was dry but pleasantly rich despite the low alcohol and has pleasantly crisp acidity. Both the aroma profile and the structure remind me of Čotar's Malvazija. It is very lively despite some aged aromatics.

Codru 1987 12,45euros; 11% abv
A blend of 75% Cabernet Saugignon and 25% Merlot. Once again, it comes with an unbearably ugly label and a tiny compressed cork. But the wine is again a lovely little drop. Very bright and pure aromas of cherry and some herbaceous Cabernet lift. No oak aromas as far as I can see. Resolved structurally, but with still vibrant fruit - it dosn't seem like it will go over the cliff soon though it is pleasantly light. A luncheon claret and dashed good one at that!
 
originally posted by Otto Nieminen:

Traminer 1988 11,75euros; 11% abv
I had no idea wine of this quality was made in Moldova and, indeed, the tiny comperssed cork and the horrible label (sorry, no camera with me) didn't inspire confidence. [...]

Codru 1987 12,45euros; 11% abv
A blend of 75% Cabernet Saugignon and 25% Merlot. Once again, it comes with an unbearably ugly label and a tiny compressed cork.
Click to expand...

Were these wines recent releases from a library, or were they bottled back in the day and been sitting somewhere since? Given their pre-1991 status, I am not at all surprised at the cheesy packaging. Indeed, what is most remarkable about them is that they are even remotely drinkable, quite in contrast to what I recall of Moldovan exports from that era.

Most interesting!
Mark Lipton
 
Mark, as I tried to explain in the first paragraph, these were bottled in 2010. Mileştii Mici have such library releases back to the late '60s.
 
I'm always fascinated by the release and "discovery" of treasure troves of old (and good!) wine. I'm more interested in discoveries of this nature than some Rodenstockian score of "priceless" Bordeaux. Thanks for the info, Otto!

Cheers,

Kevin
 
originally posted by Otto Nieminen:
Mark, as I tried to explain in the first paragraph, these were bottled in 2010. Mileştii Mici have such library releases back to the late '60s.
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D'Oh! I don't know what's more surprising about them: that the labels are so bad, or that the wine is so good.

Mark Lipton
 
One could almost say that's some serious label spoof, if it weren't for the fact they're closer to parody.

I think they're kinda cute myself...
 
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