# Lupi Rezerva (2019)

- **Producer:** Dulgher Family Estate
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Saperavi
- **Region:** Valul lui Traian, Moldova
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €40
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, cherry, plum, blackcurrant, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, cloves, leather

## About this wine

Produced by Dulgher Family Estate in the Valul lui Traian IGP region of Southern Moldova, Lupi is a reserve red cuvée. The wine's name, meaning 'Wolves' in Romanian, pays homage to a pack of wild wolves seen roaming near the estate vineyards bordering the ancient Tigheci forest. A stylized wolf paw print marks the front label, celebrating the wild nature and history of the land.

## Interesting facts

- Named 'Lupi' (Wolves) after wild wolves seen near the vineyards bordering the Tigheci forest.
- Features a stylized wolf paw imprint on the front bottle label as a tribute to the raw character of the terroir.
- Undergoes an extended maturation process of over three years in large oak vats and oak barriques.

## Food pairing

The robust tannic structure, rich body, and intense character of this blend demand rich proteins and aged hard cheeses to bind with the tannins while complementing the deep flavor intensity.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested at peak maturity and manually sorted. Fermentation and maceration take place in large open 150 HL oak vats for about 20 days with indigenous and selected yeasts. Primary maturation takes place over 24 months in 50 HL Slavonian and Krasnodar oak casks, followed by 14 months of secondary aging in French and American oak barriques before bottling.