Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 12 to 35 years from vintage.

vintage12 yrs35 yrs37 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: dried cherry concentrate, volcanic mineral, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, iron, dark chocolate

Palate: sour dried cherry, iron mineral, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, graphite

Castel Caina is Ca' La Bionda's premium single-vineyard selection from the highest Marano valley plots at the foot of the ancient Caina hill; the volcanic soils produce even greater mineral depth and acidity than the estate Classico, with outstanding ageing potential.

What it pairs with

  • Lamb shoulder slow-roasted with mountain herbs The wine's iron mineral character and high acidity balance the fat and herbaceous complexity of mountain lamb.More wines for lamb →
  • Aged Monte Veronese Stravecchio The sharpest aged Veronese mountain cheese amplifies the wine's mineral depth.More wines for cheese →

With cheese

Monte Veronese Our pick Old d'allevo is the sharpest, most peppery Monte Veronese, a cheese for the end of a meal. Amarone, dry and full-bodied from dried grapes and long ageing, has the weight and alcohol to stand up to it. Serve a small piece.

How to serve Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour) , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Lamb shoulder slow-roasted with mountain herbs, Aged Monte Veronese Stravecchio. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Castellani family identified the Castel Caina parcels as their highest-quality fruit and established the single-vineyard Amarone to showcase the volcanic-soil mineral intensity that distinguishes the upper Marano valley from lower-altitude Classico producers.

  1. 2003First Castel Caina single-vineyard Amarone Classico release from Ca' La Bionda

Facts

Producer
Ca' La Bionda · visiting guide
Grapes
Corvina (60%), Corvinone (30%), Rondinella (10%)
Classification
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Oak
Aged 4 years in large Slavonian oak; single-vineyard selection from Castel Caina parcel
ABV
16.0%
Price
€90-150 at retail
Drinking window
12-35 from vintage
First vintage
2003

Frequently asked about Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina

What does Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina taste like?

On the nose, dried cherry concentrate, volcanic mineral, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs. On the palate, sour dried cherry, iron mineral, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Castel Caina is Ca' La Bionda's premium single-vineyard selection from the highest Marano valley plots at the foot of the ancient Caina hill; the volcanic soils produce even greater mineral depth and acidity than the estate Classico, with outstanding ageing potential.

When should I drink Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina?

Drink 12-35 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina?

Lamb shoulder slow-roasted with mountain herbs is the canonical pairing; Aged Monte Veronese Stravecchio is the other strong match. The wine's iron mineral character and high acidity balance the fat and herbaceous complexity of mountain lamb.

What grapes are in Ca' La Bionda Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Castel Caina?

The blend is Corvina (60%), Corvinone (30%), Rondinella (10%). The wine is classified as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG.

Tags

cellar worthy corvina corvinone dessert passito dry firm tannin full body hidden gem high acid mood contemplative mood rustic occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price fine rondinella single vineyard

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