Cricova Magnific

Cricova Magnific is a concentrated Moldovan red wine produced from selected, slightly dried grapes, bottled at approximately 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2011 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold medal at the 2015 Vinarium International Wine Contest, establishing this expression as one of Moldova's most recognized reds on the international stage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Moldova  |  Style: Full-Bodied Red  |  Producer: Cricova (Est. 1952)

Production & Heritage

Cricova was founded in 1952 and operates from a vast underground wine city carved into limestone tunnels stretching over 120 kilometers beneath the Moldovan countryside. The Magnific line is produced using a proprietary method built around selected grapes that are partially dried before vinification — a technique that concentrates sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds. According to production data, this approach yields 1.4 times higher extract, 1.5 times greater phenolic concentration, 2.22 times more pigments, and 2.226 times more resveratrol compared to conventionally produced wines from the same region. The result is a deeply structured red with notable intensity and body.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with underripe cherry and cassis before moving into darker layers of blueberry and prune. A backdrop of vanilla and noble oak adds warmth and complexity to the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is full and fruit-forward, with currants and blueberries dominating the early palate. At mid-palate, mature tannins emerge with a velvety texture, supported by vanilla warmth and subtle oak spice. The concentrated extraction delivers notable weight without becoming heavy-handed.

Finish: The finish is long and structured, with lingering dark fruit and gentle oak tannins. A subtle grip of dried berry and spice persists well after the final sip.

How to Drink Cricova Magnific

This wine is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from 20–30 minutes of decanting to open its concentrated aromatics. Given its full body and tannic structure, it drinks well on its own as a contemplative pour. For a twist, try it in a Kalimotxo — the tannin backbone holds up against cola's sweetness for a surprisingly balanced casual drink. It also works in a red wine Sangria, where the concentrated fruit character adds depth that lighter reds cannot. A classic Mulled Wine preparation during colder months allows the prune and vanilla notes to meld beautifully with traditional warming spices.

Best For

• Introducing friends to Moldovan winemaking at its most ambitious
• Pairing with hearty autumn or winter dinner menus
• Gifting a wine enthusiast something outside mainstream regions
• Building a collection of Eastern European wines worth cellaring short-term

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cricova Magnific taste like? Cricova Magnific delivers concentrated dark fruit — primarily currants, blueberries, and prunes — layered with vanilla and noble oak. The tannins are mature and velvety, giving it a full, structured mouthfeel with a long finish.

How does Cricova Magnific compare to Amarone della Valpolicella? Both wines use partially dried grapes to concentrate flavor, but Amarone is produced in Italy's Veneto region primarily from Corvina grapes and typically carries a higher price point. Cricova Magnific offers a similar appassimento-style intensity at a more accessible value tier, though with a distinctly Moldovan fruit and oak profile.

Is Cricova Magnific good for sipping neat? Yes — its concentrated fruit, layered complexity, and velvety tannins make it well-suited for drinking on its own, particularly after a brief decanting period to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Cricova Magnific made? Cricova Magnific is produced by the Cricova winery in Moldova, a country situated between Romania and Ukraine that has been producing wine for over 5,000 years. The winery's underground cellars, carved from limestone, are among the largest in the world.

What foods pair well with Cricova Magnific? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's dark fruit and tannic grip. Aged hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano echo its concentrated intensity. Slow-braised beef short ribs mirror the wine's richness and weight. Dark chocolate desserts (70% cacao or higher) pair with the prune and vanilla notes. Roasted root vegetables with herbs bridge the oak and earthy undertones.

What sizes does Cricova Magnific come in? Cricova Magnific is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Cricova Magnific worth the price? Cricova Magnific positions as a premium expression within Moldova's wine market, and its 90-point Wine Enthusiast score suggests quality that competes well above its price tier. For drinkers seeking concentrated, full-bodied reds without the cost of comparable Italian or French bottlings, it represents strong value.

Why Cricova Magnific?

The defining feature of Magnific is its proprietary dried-grape production method, which measurably increases extract, phenolic compounds, and resveratrol content well beyond conventional Moldovan winemaking. This is not a marketing flourish — the concentration differences are documented at significant multiples. A 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and Gold at the Vinarium International Wine Contest validate the approach with international critical recognition. For anyone seeking a full-bodied red with genuine depth from a region that remains underexplored by most wine drinkers, Cricova Magnific makes a compelling and well-documented case for itself.