Because We Can by Castra Rubra: The red Bulgarian with the intense impact.
The "Because We Can" is the new flagship from the Castra Rubra winery in the premium wine league. This masterpiece of Bulgarian winemaking impresses with an exceptional dense garnet color, multi-layered aromas and enormous bottle aging potential.
The Bulgarian vintage cuvée from the harvest of 2013 captivates the eye with a color of unusual intensity alternating between ruby red and deep garnet red. Blended with 30% each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% of Syrah, Because We Can is a full-bodied experience for all fans of complex red wine compositions. Already in the nose it ignites a small firework. In the foreground are hints of juniper and forest moss, joined by a subtly fleshy, racy touch of Lycoris. The tongue experiences a full-bodied, velvety wine with flavors of black fruits and olives, complemented by gentle cocoa aromas that echo pleasantly earthy, especially on the long finish.
The grapes for this exclusive vintage cuvée, which need fear no comparison with the creations of French or Italian winemakers, come from the Thracian Plain, the southernmost of Bulgaria's five wine-growing regions. Sandy-loamy and calcareous soils, together with hot, dry summers and a frost-free spring, provide optimal conditions for growing red grape varieties here.
The vintage wines used for Because We Can were aged in oak barrels for 26 months before bottling, and have been post-matured in bottle for the past five years. Exactly to that point that strikes the nerve of sophisticated Bulgarian and European red wine culture.
Cuvee: 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Syrah.
Region:
The Thracian Plain is part of the large southern Bulgarian wine region. It is well protected from cold winds north of the Balkan Mountains and further from the south central part of the Rhodopes.
Climate and soil:
Temperate with over 3,000 hours of sunshine during the year and over 110 clear days. Hot, dry summers with warm nights. Soft and warm winters without spring frosts. Sandy-loamy and calcareous soils.
Harvest: (Date: 26.09-18.10.2013).
Careful selective hand harvest in boxes followed by sorting of the grapes in the winery.
Vinification:
Cold maceration at 10ºC for 8 days. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in inox vats at a controlled temperature of 27ºC . Infusion after fermentation. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels of 225 l capacity. 26 months of aging and storage in oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Exceptional, very dense garnet color. The nose is impressive and complex with flesh nuances and scents of juniper and forest moss, lycoris, cocoa, black olives and juicy black fruits. A wine with a magnificent, dense but fresh and elegant structure that reveals its enormous potential for bottle aging. A masterpiece of winemaking that you can serve with a selection of game dishes or veal steaks.
