Enira Reserva 2018 (Bessa Valley)

Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Bulgaria’s Bessa Valley is set in the hills between the Rhodope Mountains and the Maritsa River which help to create excellent conditions for winemaking. The cooling influence of the mountains and the excellent clay limestone soils captured the attention of Count Stephan von Neipperg who owns several important Bordeaux estates like Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte, inspiring him to found his own winery here. The estate’s 140 hectares of vines planted with Bordeaux varietals like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot help create well-structured, elegant wines like this Reserva. The cuvee is predominantly composed of Merlot and Syrah along with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. To harmonise and fully integrate all of the components, the young wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. Sure to please lovers of big, bold reds, this wine is bursting with succulent cassis, blackberry and dark cherry notes with undertones of dried herbs, leather and dark chocolate. On the palate there’s a solid full body, firm tannins, and a bright core of ripe dark fruit which lingers on the palate. Great to drink alongside charcuterie, roast lamb, or tomato-based pasta dishes.