VIA VITICOLA | Caii de la Letea | Princeps | Aligoté | 2022
aligoté

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Today we are going to review a single varietal aligote wine that comes from the warmth of the Sarica – Niculitel vineyards of Dobrogea region in Romania, which is situated between the Danube and the Black Sea – Caii de la Letea Princeps Aligoté 2022 by Via Viticola Sarica Niculitel. Infamously known as the ‘other white Burgundy’ grape, aligote has had a rough history, most of it in the shadows of its famous counterpart – the mighty chardonnay, and that’s a real shame, because if you’re able to get your hands on a bottle of aligote, you’ll discover an excellent, refreshing wine that’s made with the same care as chardonnay but with some intrigue and sophistication. Being less intense and softer than chardonnay, aligote is a real gem, as it usually makes very refreshing dry wines with floral and herbal notes and an almost lemony character. Outside of its homeland in Bourgogne, aligote is also grown in small quantities in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia. This wine here has been aged for 6 months in french oak barriques in close contact with the fine lees (sur lie ageing – the dead yeast cells that are left over from the fermentation process). This was done in order to enhance the complexity and add a layer of sophistication and intrigue to the wine. That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to our tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: pale lime color
clarity: bright pastel-greenish hues

//Olfactory
intensity: rich | herbal-citrusy
fruit character: ripe

This wine opens up with an invigorating and extremely appealing bouquet. Leading the charge are vibrant aromas of crisp green fruits, reminiscent of granny smith apples and wild green pears. Interwoven with these green fruit notes are hints of fresh herbs, like nettle, mint and freshly cut lemongrass, adding a touch of complexity and intrigue. As the fragrance unfolds, a layer of zesty citrus emerge, with notes of grapefruit, lemon zest and lime peel, adding more vibrancy and a touch of brightness. Subtle floral hints, like acacia blossom and elderflower can also be detected in the background, completing the wine’s delightful and refreshing aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium- | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp & zesty

The palate mirrors the nose with a delightful explosion of ripe flavors: a juicy interplay of green fruits mingles with zesty citrusy notes. Hints of fresh herbs echo from the nose, adding a layer of complexity. The wine’s bright acidity keeps the wine lively, balanced by a touch of alcoholic warmth that adds weight, despite creating a slightly hot sensation on the mouthfeel. That said, the finish remains crisp and zesty, leaving a mouthwatering lasting impression. Overall, this is an ample, round, and crisp aligoté wine.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within the next 2 to 3 years
verdict: great | a must try |a wine that has all the traits to become epic

All in all, this wine presents a delightful and invigorating aromatic profile. The palate follow suit, offering a delightful explosion of ripe green fruits, vibrant citrus and fresh herbal flavors. The bright acidity keeps the wine lively and creates that crisp and zesty aftertaste, despite a touch of alcoholic heat. The body is round and surprisingly voluptuous for an aligoté, yet the zesty character persists, creating a harmonious and well-structured wine overall. This is a great example of Aligoté showcasing very nice varietal typicity, making it a crowd-pleaser of a wine, perfect for those who enjoy a refreshing and zesty white wine.

//Scoring
VIA VITICOLA | Caii de la Letea | Princeps | Aligoté | 2022
variety: aligoté
country: Romania
region: Dobrogea | Sarica – Niculitel
rating: 94.1
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This is definitely a great wine of Romania and with a total of 94.1 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: Due to the wine’s bright acidity, round mouthfeel, pronounced zesty character, we believe this aligoté would be a fantastic match for seared scallops with a lemon butter & garlic sauce. The wine’s acidity will cut through the richness of the butter & garlic sauce, while the citrus and green fruit notes in the wine will complement the delicate sweetness of the scallops. In the same key, the herbal hints in the wine will echo the fresh herbs of the dish dressing, creating a harmonious and appealing interplay of flavors and textures that would allow both, the wine and the dish to shine through. Enjoy!

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