VIA VITICOLA | Caii de la Letea | Princeps | Pinot Noir | Rezerva | 2020
pinot noir

We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations.

Today we are going to review an already legendary, single-varietal pinot noir wine from the Sarica – Niculitel vineyards in the Dobrogea region of Romania, situated between the Danube and the Black Sea, whose warm climate is tempered by the cool sea breezes – Caii de la Letea Princeps Pinot Noir Rezerva 2020 by Via Viticola Sarica Niculitel. Pinot Noir has reached a legendary status over the last decades and today it is the most sought-after red wine in the world. The grape itself is quite vulnerable, suffering from a multitude of diseases and its genetics make it highly susceptible to mutation. But despite all the difficulty to grow pinot noir, when treated with utmost care, it is capable of producing the very best expressions of terrior. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the pinot noir grapes and enhance the color, this wine has been subject to extended maceration, while in order to get some extra complexity and sophistication on the aromatic and flavour profiles, the final wine has been aged in french oak barrels. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
_________________________________________________________________________
Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: pale garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & oaky
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

On the first nose, this wine reveals a ripe and dehydrated fruit character that captivates the senses. The foreground showcases a delightful medley of cranberries, dried red cherries and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a harmonious aromatic interplay. Subtle herbal undertones add a layer of complexity, with hints of wormwood and dried herbs, imparting a touch of sophistication. The background unfolds with quite pronounced oaky hints, featuring toasted oakwood, vanilla and sun-dried wood, all of that complemented by a subtle touch of warm spices and a subtle earthy touch. This olfactory experience provides a balanced and inviting introduction to a Pinot Noir wine, that skillfully marries its vibrant fruit character with herbal and oaky undertones, promising a sensory journey that is both rich and nuanced.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: bitter-seedy

On the palate, this wine delivers a captivating fusion of ripe and dehydrated red fruits. The mouthfeel is characterized by crisp acidity, that imparts a refreshing liveliness, complemented by seedy tannins, that add a textural depth to the wine, and a touch of alcoholic warmth, that gracefully integrates into the palate, contributing to the overall structure of the wine. The aftertaste is marked by a pleasantly, bitter-seedy sensation, creating a lingering and memorable finish. The wine’s body delivers a seedy, fruity-oaky accent, with the oak-derived flavours taking the primary role. This Pinot Noir wine displays a delightful interplay of elements, combining the vibrant fruit character, structured mouthfeel and bitter-seedy aftertaste, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an expressive and rich tasting experience.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is a round, plush and lush Pinot Noir wine that manages to capture attention with its vibrant and rich aromatic profile. The initial olfactory experience unfolds with an interplay of ripe and dehydrated red fruits, supported by dried herbs and oak, thus building a delightful sensory journey. On the palate, however, the wine exhibits a slight lack of elegance and finesse, revealing a discrepancy between the aromatic allure and the actual tasting experience. With its pleasantly seedy tannin structure and a touch of alcoholic warmth, this wine holds promises for future refinement and a more harmonious structure on the palate. Despite this, this wine displays an intriguing expression of the Pinot Noir variety, with potential for further improvement.

//Scoring
VIA VITICOLA | Caii de la Letea | Princeps | Pinot Noir | Rezerva | 2020
variety: pinot noir
country: Romania | Dobrogea
region: Sarica – Niculitel
rating: 93.5
_________________________________________________________________________

This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and, with a total of 93.5 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s rich and vibrant flavor profile, we would recommend to pair it with Tournedos Rossini. The wine’s plush and lush character, coupled with its vibrant fruit profile and nuanced oaky undertones, will beautifully complement the rustic flavours of the dish, while the seedy tannins and crisp acidity in the wine, will cut through the richness of the seared beef tenderloin. In the same key, the ripe and dehydrated red fruit notes in the wine, will enhance the savory flavor of the foie gras, while the savory herbal undertones in the wine, will harmonize with the earthy essence of the truffle-infused sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that elevates both, the wine and this classic meat dish. This pairing celebrates the opulence of Tournedos Rossini, while accentuating the nuanced richness of this Pinot Noir wine, resulting in a luxurious culinary experience. Enjoy!

_________________________________________________________________________
© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.