MEA CULPA Vino Rosso Italia - Cantine Minini

The MEA CULPA Vino Rosso Italia from Casa Vinicola Minini is an immensely expressive cuvée of Primitivo, Syrah and Merlot. Mea Culpa – my fault, please forgive me – is the not entirely serious statement from Mario Minini, who has composed what he considers the best cuvée he can imagine from the finest lots of his wines from various regions.

“MEA CULPA, please forgive me, but we’re going to do this my way now! It will be the most accurate cuvée with the greatest excellence and the best expression, no matter what it takes.” – Mario Minini

Just like its little brother – Tank Nero d’Avola – the Mea Culpa red cuvée was produced using the Appassimento method and therefore contains particularly intense grapes that have been partially dried.

In the glass, MEA CULPA Vino Rosso Italia presents a deep, extremely dense purple-red color with an almost black core. The nose delights with dense cherry notes. Dried cherry, Mon Chéri, rum cherry, juicy heart cherries, cherry crumble and a whole range of other associations come to mind. The aromas are complemented by ripe blackberries and strawberries. Noble, powerful wintery-Christmas nuances of mocha, vanilla and dark chocolate round off the bouquet of the MEA CULPA red wine.

On the palate, Mea Culpa is immensely juicy, round and powerful. This wine is the answer to grey November and ice-cold December evenings. Despite the generous alcohol, Mea Culpa does not come across as fiery, but fruity, spicy and wonderfully velvety. The round and soft tannins are complemented by a fine melt and a vibrant fruit acidity, which prevents this red wine powerhouse from seeming clumsy and awkward.

Vinification of Mea Culpa Vino Rosso Italia

Since two vineyards for Mea Culpa are located in Sicily and one in Apulia, this cuvée has to forego a prestigious designation of origin. No problem, because Mea Culpa doesn’t need a DOCG or the like on its neck to impress. The Primitivo for Mea Culpa comes from Salento, more precisely from the “Alberello” vineyard, where the vines, at 40–50 years of age, have seen quite a bit and yields are therefore relatively low.

After hand harvesting, about one third of the grapes is used for the Appassimento method and dried for 30 days. In the process they lose 30% of their weight. Before fermentation, the berries are macerated for 8–9 days, which ensures even better aroma extraction. The final touch for Mea Culpa Vino Rosso Italia comes from 6 months of aging in French barriques.

The second component of this Mea Culpa is an Appassimento from Syrah grapes from Sicily. These remain on the vine for an especially long time until they too have lost about one third of their weight. To perfectly round off this red cuvée from southern Italy, it is completed with soft yet powerful Merlot.

Food pairing for Mea Culpa Vino Rosso Italia

Hearty beef roulades are an excellent match for Mea Culpa, either classic or with a filling of prunes, lardo, braised onions, parsley and toasted pine nuts.

Awards for Mea Culpa red wine

• Mundus Vini: Gold
• Luca Maroni: 94 points
• Falstaff 2018: 90 points and Top Value

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