This wine in its composition is a classic Bordeaux blend – from grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Despite the fact that this pair in wine is very harmonious, but due to the fact that a lot of wines of this kind have already been made in the whole world, it is difficult for winemakers not to repeat themselves and to be individual. However, for the company Fautor it was quite possible. Her masters created wine for his deep “reading”.
The ex-chief winemaker of the company Fautor, now – expert wine-maker of the National Bureau of Grapes and Wine Elizaveta Breahna remembers how this wine was created:
“Wine Illustro was conceived as a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon gives a tart, manly wine, and the Italian clone, Merlot is gaining high sugar content, thanks to which the wine is obtained highly alcoholic and with a lower acidity, but soft and velvety in taste. This blend was created in order for these two varieties to complement each other, getting wine with not very high alcohol content and a soft, oily, balanced taste, because in red wine the most important thing is the taste and aftertaste.
The vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from which the grapes were harvested for Illustro 2013, were planted in 2003-2004. That is, by 2013 the vines gained strength and gave high quality grapes. And we were expecting an ideal harvest for the production of this wine, but the weather in September brought a surprise – it rained. In general, the industry for the year 2013 is considered not very favorable. However, Fautor company was lucky. Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are located on the hills near the village Filipeni, Leova district, and Merlot – also on the slopes in the vicinity of the village of Vishnyovka, Cantemir district. It turned out that in these areas there was little rain, and the grapes were not affected in these areas. We were able to collect quality grapes. The future wine passed malolactic fermentation and aging in new French oak barrels. Barrels are bought in France, from well-known manufacturers – Seguin Moreau and Tonnellerie Sylvain. The barrels were of different degrees of roasting, in order then to combine the wines held in them and to obtain the conceived quality of the wine.
As Merlot’s potential for tannic substances is lower, we took barrels without roasting and medium roasting, and for Cabernet Sauvignon, which has more potential for aging, we took another type of barrels, and the maturation lasted 12 months. The wine was very pleased with its rich bouquet, in which they contributed both grape varieties and oak wood. Cabernet Sauvignon brought to the bouquet of wine the aroma of black currant, forest berries, Merlot – a delicate aroma of dried plums. But most importantly – the taste turned oily, sweet, because the content of glycerin was high. Aftertaste – long, with fruit and coffee notes. After the bottling, the wine rested for 12 months. “
Were bottled 6100 bottles.
How is Illustro 2013 today?
Let me remind you that the wine is a living organism that constantly develops, that’s why the organoleptic properties of wine change.
In my case, a wine of thick ruby color, almost not transparent, along the edges of the glass – a ruby rim. When pouring into a glass, it foams, which indicates that the wine is still young. Illustro 2013 leaves on the walls of the glass thick glycerin legs, which provided him with softness in taste. The first nose – notes of dried prunes and ripe raspberries, sweetness. Turning the glass, I find in the bouquet of wine a tone of dried cherries, jerky, figs, coffee beans. I put the glass down for a few minutes, to exhibit tertiary aromas. They did not take long to wait, showing the shades of expensive cigars, black pepper, charred wood on a fire. The taste is very dry, slightly astringent, but with soft, rounded tannins. Acidity is well pronounced, but no harshness. There are smokiness and nuances of dried fruits. In a long aftertaste – shades of dried prunes.
In this wine, the tones of ageing very interesting manifest themselves. They are very delicate and rich. In fact, from winemakers it requires great skill, so that the oak does not stick out in the wine, but only enriches and complicates the wine. Here it’s done just fine.
Illustro 2013 from Fautor – for wine intellectuals. It does not pass, requires respect and the desire to understand it, but in gratitude the wine generously gives all its wealth for your pleasure.
AWARDS
Definitely, it is a powerful wine, with a character (at 14% alcohol), so to speak – with the “spine”, which could not be overlooked by tasters at international competitions in different countries, noting Illustro 2013 with medals.
Black Sea Region` 2017 (Moldova) – «Gold»
International Wine & Spirits Contest` 2017 (United Kingdom) – «Bronze»
Portugal Wine Trophy` 2017 (Portugal) – «Gold»
Galicja Vitis Cracow International Wine Contest` 2017 (Poland) – «Gold»
Oenoforum` 2017 (Czech Republic) – «Gold».
A little nuance
I would like to draw attention to the design of wine. On the capsule, including her cap, are applied either gold stars, or snowflakes. The same shape is repeated in the center of the label. And on its white field are scattered stars and snowflakes. The aspect of the wine, even before his tasting, recalled the beautiful winter and the snowflakes falling from the sky. And when I took pictures of Illustro 2013 on the nature, it began to snow. Therefore, for me, the wine “sang” with the voice of Salvatore Adamo “Tombe la neige”.
