| The Camilleri Wines 2009 and 2010 Selection. |
Since its inception, the company has invested substantially in all fields of wine making to create a range of different wine varietals to suit various palates as well as pockets, and are presently producing some sixteen different varietals under seven brands, viz: Laurenti, Pianoforte, Palatino, La Croce, Blush, Gwl, and a very good dessert wine La Dolce Vita.
For the purpose of this review, we shall stick with the 2009 and 2010 vintage releases of the top wines produced by Camilleri Wines Limited and which are readily found in various restaurants, enotecas and wine shops in Malta as well as in Gozo.
| The Laurenti. |
| Laurenti range. |
Camilleri Wines produce three wines under the Laurenti brand, these are the Laurenti Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend which was last released in the 2007 vintage; The Laurenti Chardonnay which was last released from the 2008 vintage, and the Laurenti Vermentino-Viogner which we are reviewing here from the 2009 vintage. Both the Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 as well as the Chardonnay 2008 can still be found on the market.
The Laurenti Vermentino-Viogner is produced from ripe grapes of these two varieties, which are crushed and feremented in oak barriques on the skins, and which are then pressed and matured for a further number of months in new French barrels until bottling.
12.5% alcohol; elegant vibrant and refreshing white wine with aromas of lemon zest, spices and ripe pears. On the palate it gives hints of grapefruit, melon and citrus fruit which gives it that crisp, refershing acidity. Good finish.
An excellent wine to pair with lobster thermidor, seafood, smoked whole fresh salmon (not the salty, packaged, filleted strips); Oysters, cream sauces on seafood, chicken and meats. Cheeses such as Brie, camembert.
Serving temperature: Chilled 12 Deg. C.
Price range in wine shops: Eur10.
| Pianoforte. |
In contrast to the 2009 vintage, which was a blend of Viogner and Vermentino, the 2010 Pianoforte White is produced from a blend of prime Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc wines.
12.5% alcohol. Greenish in colour, bright and clear. Flowery on the nose with aromas of delicate flowers and citrus fruits. Peaches and apricots on the palate, harmonious and balanced with a crisp, refreshing acidity. The wine is unoaked.
Pairs well with all kinds of fresh fish dishes, seafood, shellfish, and white meats.
Serving temperature: Chilled 10 Deg.C.
Price Range: Eur15 to Eur20 in restaurants only.
PIANOFORTE EBONY - MERLOT-CABERNET FRANC-TEMPRANILLO.
2010 MALTA DOK.
The 2009 Pianoforte Ebony was a blend of Cabernet and Syrah grapes.
In contrast the 2010 vintage is blended from a choice of three very different varietals - Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo all three contributing through their differing aromas, texture, body and taste to produce a very elegant, medium to full-bodied red wine, with aromas of blackberries, and spice, and distinct flavours of black cherries and blue berries. Fine grained tannins, dry. 12.5% alcohol - dark ruby red brilliant and clear.
This is a red meat and game wine. Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine, roasts, rabbit, and cheeses.
Serving Temperature: 17/18Deg.C
Price range: Eur15 to Eur20 in restaurants only.
| The Palatino Collection. |
The PALATINO range of wines from Camilleri Wines Limited embody the most modern styles of easy drinking, unoaked wines, fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, that can be paired with any type of food, depending on type of wine, from daily normal home meals to lunches and dinners in restaurants, with a very good value for money and quality.
The range consist of two limited release wines and three red and three white varietals:
| Limited Release. |
12.5% alcohol, single varietal white wine, produced from 100% Viogner grapes of Malta.
Apricot, citrus and orange peel flavours. Crisp, refershing acidity.
PALATINO CABERNET FRANC 2009 DOK LIMITED RELEASE.
13% alcohol. Single varietal. Light to medium bodied wine, with peppery, minty flavours, fruity on the palate with light, dry tannins.
PALATINO SYRAH OF MALTA 2009 DOK.
12% alcohol. Dark ruby red, clear and brilliant. Full-bodied, dry with tangible tannins. Falvours of blackfruit and plums, raisins, black pepper and spice typical of Malta grown Syrah.
PALATINO CABERNET SAUVIGNON OF MALTA 2009 DOK.
12.5% alcohol. Dark verging on purple in colour. Flavours - aromas and tastes- of black currant, stone fruits-cherry and plum, peppery with a distinct taste of licorice. Medium tannins, dry, full-bodied.
| The White wines. |
12% alcohol. Dry with soft tannins. Earthy and herbaceous, spicy with cherry and plum flavours.
Dark ruby red.
PALATINO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010 DOK.
12.5% alcohol. This is one of the best wines in the Palatino range of wines. Very clear straw yellow colour. Crispy and refreshing with aromas of wet, fresh grass. Rich favours of citrus and apples. Refreshing acidity.
| The Red Wines. |
12.5% alcohol. Greenish yellow, clear and bright. Aromas of flowers and herbs. Grapefruit, hazelnuts and nectarine. Lively acidity, good balance and texture.
PALATINO CHARDONNAY 2010 DOK MALTA.
12.5% alcohol. Greenish yellow in colour, fig, nectarines, apples flavours. Lemon and lime on the palate typical of unoaked Chardonnay. Weighty and round palate with crisp acidity.
Serving Temperatures:
White wines in the palatino range: 10 to 12 Deg C.
Red wines: 16 to 18 Deg. C.
Price range: Eur5 - Limited Release wines Eur6.50.
The red wines in this range pair well with red meats, roasts and grilled steaks; pasta, pizza, cheese, rabbit stew and fried in garlic; lamb. etc. Easy drinking every day good value wines.
The white wines pair well with fresh fish, seafood, shellfish, pasta and risotto with marinara sauces, Maltese and Med cuisine. Suitable for social drinking well chilled.
| Dolce Vita. |
Blended from late harvested Viogner, Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that were left to dry on the vine and harvested three weeks later than the normal harvest, selected and hand picked. The nectar is then pressed and fermented naturally, resulting in an excellent dessert wine reminiscent of the best Italian Vin Santo. The wine has a high level of natural sweetness with strong ripe apples and honey flavours.
Excellent with desserts, cheeses and after dinner coffee.
| Wine Tasting. |
| Wine Tasting. |
No comments:
Post a Comment