The Ninth & Final Costa Brava Dispatch

Where I bought all my wine during our vacation...

Better late than never, right? About the time when you are planning the next summer vacation, here comes the last report from our weeks in Spain this summer.

These are the grapes allowed in the Empordà DO:
White: white and grey Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu, Muscat à Petit Grains, Muoscatell d´Alexandria, Chardonnay, Gewûrztraminer, Malvosie, Piqpoul Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Xarel-lo.

Reds: Samsò, Garnatxa Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Monastrell, Tempranillo, Syrah and Garnacha Peluda, (or as it is called "hairy" Grenache!).

If I were to pick one grape that really made an lasting impression this summer it would be Samsò, or more known over the world as Carignan.
Planted in this north of Spain it proved again and again to produce, when the grower let it, world class wines.
This late post highlights two of these world class wines but also includes a Cabernet Sauvignon from Celler Santamaria, the oldest cellar still in business in Emporda.

2009 Vd´O2 Samsò - Morra, Vinyes d´Olivardots
This wine comes from a plot planted in 1909 and it consists of 100% Samsò. And it is a stunner! A deep, tight and concentrated nose with notes of sweet blueberries, violets, asphalt, rosé pepper and sugared coffee. Power, elegance and a hint of decadence! Great wine.
The taste is firm and steady with notes of blueberries, damsons, scorched earth, smoke and some dark chocolate. A very long, intense and balanced finish. Just brilliant. This I would like cases of! I paid 28 Euro for it in L´Estartit where we stayed for a week. More info here.
94p   (tasted 2015/07)

2008 Camí de Cormes, Roig Parals
Another 100% Samsò, this beauty shows of a deep, concentrated nose with notes of ripe blueberries, old, expensive balsamic vinegar, dried strawberries, smoke and undergrowth. Very fine and old fashioned.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of dried blueberries, cigar smoke, earth, spices and warm tiles. Restrained in a stunning manner. Lots of acidity. A long, complex finish. A lovely wine. The oldest part of the plot is from 1896, more info here.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

2002 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Celler Santamaria
This is a whole another creature from the two above. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon but it behaves like a old fashioned Rioja from on one of the more traditional houses like Marqués de Riscal, Contino, Rioja Alta or CVNE. It has a big, somewhat mature, beautifully spicy nose with additional notes of dill, red currants, chocolate biscuits, dried strawberries and some red peppers. Very, very good.
The taste is tight, somewhat mature and distinct with notes of red currants, dried dill, some saw dust and old leather. A long, fine finish with a fine dried up warmth and smooth tannins. Very good! Info here.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)