Noilly Prat Rouge Vermouth

Rating: 13/23 Nose: An intriguing aroma. I detect spices upfront, possibly baking spices, with potential hints of garam masala or ras el hanout, followed by a fruity bitterness akin to Campari. There's a blend of juiciness and a rich, yet subdued, sweetness in the fruit, along with a bitter citrus zest. It presents a well-balanced and reasonably complex profile. A very pleasing scent. Palate: Quite sweet, but immediately balanced by tart, bitter fruit. The spices effectively connect these two elements. I primarily taste baking spices, but the bitterness combined with the fruit does evoke suggestions of ras el hanout. The complexity and balance are both very strong. I perceive notes of blood orange juice, blood orange zest, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, a sweet fruit (perhaps grape juice?), coriander, caraway, and a touch of turmeric. The main drawback, which is not minor, is that the sweet fruit tastes rather underdeveloped, as if grape juice was simply added. Nevertheless, it's a pleasant palate that should be well-masked in many cocktails. It bears a strong resemblance to Campari, but with better balance and less intensity. Finish: The finish is fairly gentle, with a lingering grape sweetness counteracted by ample bitter peel and spices. I favor the palate, but this is perfectly acceptable. There's much to appreciate here. I could certainly drink it on its own in the right setting. While I wouldn't actively search for it, its price point makes it quite impressive. I would use it with confidence in cocktails and be pleased with the outcome. I don't think this warrants a 15, but I can somewhat understand the rating. Likewise, a 12 is conceivable, but I don't truly believe it. So, a 13 or 14 seems appropriate. There's something slightly unusual here that's bothering me. Perhaps a mineral note detracts from its fullness? Whatever it is, it's noticeable enough that I'm leaning towards a 13 over a 14.

The aroma carries that vermouth essence with a fermented tartness and brininess. The taste mirrors that astringent vermouth quality with sweetness that transitions to a sweeter, fruitier profile. Yes, that brine is present on the palate as well, persisting throughout. This is almost drinkable on its own, but it just misses the mark. I could consume it, but I would choose not to. It's somewhat distinctive, but I'm not a big fan of the taste and it isn't very complex (though it isn't completely bland either). I believe I will rate it an 11 or 12. There's a notable pomegranate flavor and hints of raspberry and strawberry as well. The nose is generally spiced with some sweetness and a touch of fruit. The palate is similar, revealing some caraway and ginger notes among cranberry and a faint hint of brown sugar. There's not a great deal of fruit, really. The spiced flavor does come through, but the fruit definitely lacks the richness and depth of red wine. The palate is adequate, and this is excellent for mixing, but the complexity is quite limited – it certainly doesn't taste like red wine was used. The sweetness level is quite pleasant, but the Campari-like bitterness could be quite intense for many. I don't think this is better than a 15, but it could be a 14 or lower. I'm assigning it a 14 for now.

A beautifully full-bodied vermouth. A preferred choice for Negronis among connoisseurs. Exhibits a very jammy, berry flavor profile with significant depth.