Cuvée Ruxandra 2022

RANGE
Cuvée
VARIETY
Ruxandra
VINTAGE
2022
WINEMAKING
Alb
STYLE
Sec
VOLUME
0.75L
SUGARS
2.1
SERVING TEMPERATURE
10-12°C
AGING POTENTIAL
3–5 years from harvest, with a refined aromatic evolution over the first 3 years.

Cuvée Ruxandra 2022 is a selection Chardonnay, crafted lot by lot from hand-harvested grapes and vinified entirely in French and American oak barrels. Fermentation and ageing on fine lees, with regular bâtonnage, bring volume, depth and a silky texture without sacrificing precision. The aromatic profile intertwines ripe white fruit and exotic hints with discreet notes of butter, vanilla and lightly toasted bread. The finish is long and poised, carried by bright acidity and a saline touch, while its medal-winning track record confirms its status as a benchmark wine within the Cuvée collection.

HARVEST DETAILS

HARVEST PERIOD
Late September
CLIMATE DATA
Precipitation: ≈300 mm, Growing season: 182 days, Radiation: ≈1.490 kWh/m², Heat balance: ≈3.550 °C
VINEYARD
Horia Viticultural Farm, Hârșova Wine Center
LOCATION
Altitude: 60–69 m (terraces), Slope: 45%, Orientation: N–S, with eastern exposure
SOIL
Chernozem class – typical proxicalcaric vermic Kastanozem; medium texture, sandy loam; developed on carbonate loess-like deposits
ROOTSTOCK
SO4
CLONE
ENTAV-INRA 96/76

WINEMAKING PROCESS

The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested from carefully selected parcels for the winery’s most distinguished white-wine lot. We work with the two clones, 96 and 76, for the consistent results they deliver in the late harvesting of this variety. Harvesting is carried out exclusively in small crates, with meticulous sorting both in the vineyard and upon arrival at the winery.

Destemming is followed by cooling the must, with a minimal addition of SO₂ so as not to inhibit the secondary fermentation. Next comes an extended maceration of approximately 4 hours in the press, under an inert gas blanket, followed by gentle pressing at pressures below 1.2 atm. The must is clarified by gravity and racked into the barriques where it will complete alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation, and mature on fine lees for around 6 months, until preparation for bottling.

TASTING PROFILE

VISUAL

Brilliant golden yellow. Clear, with fine tears.

NOSE

Yellow fruit (peach, apricot), butter, raw hazelnuts, a hint of vanilla and toasted bread.

PALATE

Generous opening, full-bodied. Creamy, unctuous texture. Well-integrated acidity that supports everything. Long finish, with an echo of fruit and oak.

CONCLUSION

An elegant barrel-aged Chardonnay with volume and precision. Oak seamlessly integrated and a long finish — a true gastronomic white.

Food pairings

Appetizers

  • Seafood platter;
  • Foie gras;

Main courses

  • Lobster or prawns;
  • Grilled salmon;
  • Truffle risotto;

Cheese board

  • Comté, Gruyère;
  • Aged cheeses;

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

No items found.

LAB ANALYSIS

Alcohol13.9% vol
Total Acidity6.20 g/L
Volatile Acidity0.40 g/L
Total SO₂95 mg/L
Free SO₂20 mg/L
Total Sugars2.1 g/L
Non-Reducing Dry Extract24.5 g/L
Total Dry Extract25.0 g/L
pH3.35