Crama Ferdi Cuvée Pițigaia 2021

Crama Ferdi is a small, family-run winery in Vâlcănești, Prahova, in the Dealu Mare area, created and led by winemaker Fernando Mihăilescu, with his son Paul also involved in the family project. With only around three hectares of vines and production kept below 10,000 bottles annually, the estate operates on a genuinely boutique scale, with an emphasis on manual work, limited releases and careful grape selection beginning in the vineyard.

Cuvée Pițigaia 2021 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, conceived in a Bordeaux-inspired style but shaped by its Dealu Mare origin. The 2021 spent roughly 18 months in barrique, giving the wine time to develop depth and texture while retaining the concentration of the fruit. Published descriptions of the wine emphasize black cherry, dried plum, pepper, chocolate and a long finish, alongside considerable ageing potential.

The 2021 Cuvée Pițigaia opens with ripe cassis and concentrated dark fruit, followed by smoked plum, cedar, tobacco and sweet spice. There is plenty of intensity, but what impressed me most was how composed everything felt: the fruit remained defined, the oak added complexity rather than dominating, and the tannins were smooth and velvety despite the wine's substantial structure.

My impressions fit naturally with published descriptions of the wine, particularly the dark cherry and plum character, peppery notes and the influence of its extended time in oak. In the glass, however, I found an additional smoky and tobacco-like dimension that made the wine feel especially layered. The finish is long and persistent, yet the overall balance prevents the wine from feeling excessive. It is already giving a great deal of pleasure today, while its concentration and structure suggest there is plenty more to come with time.

Some bottles are memorable for more than what happens in the glass. I visited Crama Ferdi last year and had the opportunity to spend time with Fernando and Paul, walking through the vineyards, seeing the winery and talking about their approach to viticulture and winemaking. I left with several bottles, including this Cuvée Pițigaia 2021, so opening it again brought me immediately back to that visit.

What stayed with me most was the same thing I noticed while I was there: attention to detail. This is a powerful wine, but it is not simply about concentration. Cassis, smoked plum, cedar, tobacco and spice are supported by velvety tannins and impressive length, while enough balance remains to keep everything harmonious.

That combination of intensity and restraint is what makes the wine particularly interesting to me. There is already considerable pleasure in the bottle, especially with some air, but it also feels built to evolve gracefully over the coming years.

And beyond the tasting itself, there is another layer that matters. Knowing the people behind a wine inevitably changes the experience. Seeing firsthand the dedication Fernando and Paul put into their vineyards and cellar makes Cuvée Pițigaia more than simply an impressive Romanian red. It becomes a reminder of a place, a visit and the people whose patience and ambition are helping demonstrate how high the potential of Romanian wine can be.

Food suggestions

A wine of this depth calls for dishes with enough flavour and richness to meet it. Roasted or grilled beef, herb-roasted lamb, venison and other wild game would all be excellent choices, particularly when mushrooms, black pepper or slow-cooked sauces are involved.

I would especially like it alongside venison with wild mushrooms, a slow-roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, or a charcoal-grilled ribeye. Mature cheeses and a good charcuterie selection would also work well, pairings that are consistent with recommendations published for the 2021.