As mentioned before, sweet vermouth has a ton of uses like Manhattans, Rob Roys, and Negronis.  In case that list seems short, you can also make a Martinez, an Old Pal (aka Boulvardier), The Derby, Blood and Sand,  Bobby Burns, a Hanky Panky, and the list goes on and on and on.  Over the years, Dolin has earned quite a following.  Does Dolin Rouge Vermouth offer a compelling reason to substitute itself versus Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth?

Sight:  More toward the wood grained side of the spectrum, with some definitive maple colors and caramel notes.

Smell:  There’s a definitive berry smell coming first here, like very small acidic currants or dried blueberries that kick off the nose.  The herbal notes start from there, pulling in small amounts of anisette, wormwood, quinine, orange blossom, and sage.   A slight hint of woodsy character enters as well.

Sip:  There’s a sweet start, and things get slightly gamey with an almost leather like note behind the fruit.   Fresh berries, orange zest, floral notes, and herbs all layer over one another, in a complex but structured way.  The complicated nature and underlying gamey nature gives it a slightly chocolatey or caramel like flavor.  The body is full thanks to the sweetness.

Savor:  The ending is similarly complicated, but moves toward preserved fruits like dates and raisins.  The flavors get nutty here, pulling in almond, and the bitterness is very minimal.

Dolin Rouge Vermouth is smooth, fresh, and on the fruit forward side.  The aroma is enticing, and suggests a fresh red wine, while the body is layered with complexity and depth.  The ending also provides a nice balance of fruit and nuts that could compliment many cocktails well.  More importantly, this is smooth enough to drink on it’s own.  If you want to take a step in quality, but don’t want to break the bank, Dolin Rouge Vermouth is a great choice.

Verdict:  Berry, Herbal, Orange, Preserved Fruits
Rating: 85
Price: $12
Chambéry, France

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