This was a wine I was very curious about, since it is a really popular choice where I live & is made of a pretty unusual blend. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Pinot Noir. How could practically opposite grape’s profile could be better together? I was dubious whether the Cabernet would take over & leave very little space to the Pinot Noir, but I had to make sure. On top of that, it came in a nice paper wrap, I couldn’t resist.
Rosso del Camúl 2013
Produced & bottled by: Vini Tonon SRL
Type: Dry Red from Northern Italy
Region: IGP Veneto, Veneto, Italy
Aging: 18-24 months in Slovenian Barrels, 6-8 months in bottle
ABV: 13.5%
Grapes: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Pinot Noir
Appearance: 7/10
At first sight the wine appears deep ruby with some faint purple hues & is quite opaque. A large crest is formed when swirled, from where medium legs fall at a moderate pace. The bottle comes in a wrapping paper covered in the winery’s logo. Once open, it is thick & heavy, with a dark-green coloured glass & an intact cork. The look of it gives the impression of a powerful beverage. On the visual, I have some doubt about whether or not I will be able to perceive a distinct Pinot Noir character or if it only serves to freshen up the Cabernet Sauvignon, rendering it easier to drink. My first instinct seems to be right for now, Cabernet does take over, at least on the appearance.
Nose: 11.5/15
The nose is closed at first, giving only faint dark berries. After, an hour of breathing, I try it again & it’s unusual. Something doesn’t quite fit the profile of the Cabernet Sauvignon, although I don’t immediately recognize the delicate bouquet of Pinot Noir. I perceive some blueberries, blackberries, cherries & cooked cranberries. Then, some roasted notes take over, reminiscent of coffee beans, dark chocolate, cocoa powder & leather. When my nose is acclimated to the wine, I begin detecting more subtleties such as light Violet & Rose flowers as well as tobacco & potting soil. After a while, the barrel slowly comes back again with the roasty aromas bringing this time a well-dosed hint of vanilla & some baking spices. I’m pleasantly surprised that I indeed managed to smell some distinct Pinot Noir aromas although there were quite dissimulated under some barrel-aging & the powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mouth: 12/15
Things are more interesting on the palate, where the wine seems much more balanced between both grapes. Flavours similar to the aromas perceived are present, however, I also get some mint, strawberry jam, raspberries, licorice, rosemary & black pepper. Those added flavours bring the complexity to another level than the one obtained on the nose. The acidity is well-rounded, just above average for a classic Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are velvety, lending a very mellow astringency, while the residual sugar is low but still there, at probably around 8 g/L. The mouthfeel gives away the Cabernet Sauvignon with a full & heavy body. So there seems to be some characteristics of the wine that comes from Pinot Noir, some from the Cabernet Sauvignon, while others like the acidity is a balanced blend of both varieties.
Finish: 8/10
The finish is long, delivering constant dark berries as well as some ripe & cooked cranberries. The vanilla & the baking spices come back as the dominant final note perceived before the wine vanishes.
Overall: 77/100
Sometimes it seemed balanced, sometimes it seems to lean more toward one grape or the other. I was still pleasantly surprised since it must not be an easy task to realize such a peculiar blend. However, I felt like the Pinot Noir was too subtle to make it worth it. Maybe a 60% Pinot Noir would make a better difference, I don’t know. It was crucial to let it breathe for at least an hour, even two hours if possible. Overall, it was still a wonderful learning experience.
3-word description:
Unusual, berries & vanilla
The Reference
More information @ camul.it
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