Ca' Maiol - Negresco, 2016
Ca’ Maiol Estate was established in 1967 by Walter Contato, who was also responsible for the creation of the Consorzio Lugana.
The story of Cà Maiol has actually always been linked to the Lugana appellation.
Lugana lies next to the relativly small Valtenesi DOC appellation. Both appellations sit on the shores of the Garda Lake. Valtenesi DOC is famous for its rosé and red wines which are based on a local grape called Groppello.
This wine is named after the notorious “Le Negresco” Hotel situated in Nice on the French Riviera.
The fruit is sourced from the Valtènesi’s top-quality vineyards where grapes such as groppello, marzemino, sangiovese and barbera are grown. After a long fermentation on the skins, the wine is aged for about 18 months in 225-litre French oak barriques.
The wine displays a perfect ruby hue, with medium intensity. To the nose, it opens up with succulent and juicy red fruit: red cherry, plums and raspberry. The wine exudes elegance, refinement and a decent complexity. Nuances of toast, wicker basket, earth, nutmeg, red spices, bread crust and tobacco leaves chase each other in the glass, contributing to a lovely aromatic profile.
To the palate, the wine presents perfect ripeness of fruit. Medium to full in body, it has a juicy and defined character. The aromas mirror the nose, but with the additions of liquorice and dried herbs. Good concentration of flavours, combine with elegance and focus. A perfect acidity balances the richness of aromas. The tannins are medium+ in level, smooth and refined. The finish is long and aromatic, with a touch of sweet baking spices in the aftertaste.