Edgar Brutler, Sefu Red, Romania

ORGANIC 

A vibrant, approachable blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah from the heart of Transylvania. On the nose, expect lively notes of cranberry, tangerine, and wet clay, mingling with a hint of lemon pepper. The palate is breezy and juicy, brimming with crunchy raspberries, cranberries, and a touch of pepper that lingers on the finish. 

Pinot Noir is gently pressed and fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak barrels. Syrah undergoes a short three-day maceration on the skins and stems before fermentation in oak barrels of varying sizes. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimal sulfur added, resulting in a natural, fruit-forward expression reminiscent of a still Lambrusco, without the bubbles.

In the Transylvanian village of Beltiug, an old vineyard awaited someone to revive it and transform its grapes into wine. Edgar Brutler and his family stepped in to save it and preserve these old vines. The vineyard features a rich array of native Romanian white varieties alongside Pinot Noir and Syrah. Despite the challenges posed by the rugged, rainy terrain of Romania’s northern reaches, they’ve succeded with remarkable skill and dedication, embracing organic farming and natural winemaking, in a method they describe as “Old-school avant-garde.” 

Origin: Crișana, Transylvania, Romania
Vintage: 2023
Grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Syrah
Food pairings: perfect with paprika-spiced dishes, chicken or hearty meatball soup
Bottle size: 100cl
ABV: 12.5%