Friday Dinner - A Young Pouilly Fumé & A Mature Bordeaux

I have been working only three days this week after a five week holiday, but I am a wreck...
I need something to lift my spirits. With a tasty Toast Skagen I opened a young Pouilly Fumé that many have written and talked good things about.
Then - with a big slice of Gotland fillet of beef with some roasted vegetables and a nice béarnaise sauce, I opted for a mature (hopefully!) Bordeaux.
It worked out well...:-)

2014 Pouilly Fumé, Jonathan Didier Pabiot
This beauty displays a pure and fresh nose with notes of elderberries, green apples, gravel, pine sap and a very salivating lemon peel scent. Very, very good. A very vibrant wine.
The taste is young, tight and mineraly with notes of lime peel, gravel, green apples and elderberries. A very fine acidity. A bit Chablis like, and a very good one at that. Easy to drink sip after sip. Lovely.
91p   (tasted 2015/08)

1982 Château Maucaillou
Popped and poured, and it immediately reveals fine aromas of a mature Bordeaux, in the shape of fresh stables, dried red and black currants, graphite, coffee powder and worn leather. A very fine aromatic nose. Perfectly mature.
The taste is more taut than the nose with fine notes of red currants, dried plums, cigarette ashes, dried autumn leaves and balsa wood. A medium long finish with a nice dry finish. In a fine drinking stage, but I won´t save remaining bottles for much longer.

89p   (tasted 2015/08)

 

The Seventh Costa Brava Dispatch

Among the wines I bought and tasted from Empordà there was one natural wine. Why, could one ask. But you gotta expand your horizons sometimes. :-) I am glad I did!

2013 Confianca, Cosmic
This turned out to be a nice surprise! Made out of 100% Garnatxa Roja. Only 626 bottles made and this bottle was nr 503. The label states that it has bottled without sulfites. Upon opening it I discovered it was a orange wine.
Granted, I had my preconceived thoughts while pouring it, but guess what, shame on me!
The nose is deep and complex with notes of (over)ripe yellow apples, white raisins, hay, dried flowers and banana peel. Very fine. A hint of glue after a while. This is good.
The taste is tight and dry with notes of yellow apples, paint, yellow plums and lots of crushed rocks. Long and fine. A high acidity. Feels like chewing on a peach kernel. This is really good. Worked well with some assorted Spanish delicatessen. Info here.
89p   (tasted 2015/07)

Some Miscellaneous Bottles

Here are some bottles drunk over the last couple of weeks.

1996 Moulins de Citran
The second wine of Château Citran. This 19 year old Bordeaux displays a fine maturity in the shape of soft red and black currants, fresh stables, autumn leaves and cigarette ashes. There is a ever so tiny hint of green peppers, but that only add to the nice personality.
The taste is cool, mature and fine with notes of red currants, earth, old leather and autumn leaves. The finish is medium long and gentle. Classy for what it is. Really good. I have the big brother of the same vintage, gotta open that one soon.
87p   (tasted 2015/07)

2011 Les Obriers de la Pèira, La Pèira
A upfront meaty, spicy nose with notes of ripe blueberries, violets and moist earth. A lot of stuffing although it lacks a bit of refinement. Very good though. Gets better and fuller with air.
The taste is medium bodied and steady with notes of blackberries, blueberries, dried flowers and violets. A long finish with some cigarette ashes in the end, and a good warmth. It went down really well with some grilled meat. Could evolve some more.
89p   (tasted 2015/07)

2009 Las Flors, La Pèira
Again and again this bottle of stunning juice delivers a great experience. I can just recycle my last note...
95p   (tasted 2015/08)

2000 Sassoalloro, Biondi Santi
The nose is rather subdued, even with an hour in the decanter. There are some notes of red and black cherries, crushed rocks, pine wood and dried herbs. Some maturity. Rather dense. Never really opens up in the glass.
The taste is tight and semi mature with notes of dried up cherry liquor, liquorice, dried herbs and gravel. The tannins are a bit dusty. A medium long finish with a nice warmth. A bit boring.
79p   (tasted 2015/08)

1999 Print Shiraz, Mitchelton
A mature, round, sweet nose with lovely notes of ripe blackberries, bacon fat, cherry liquor, asphalt and toothpaste. Very typical and very likable. Sweet flowers after a while. Really good.
The taste is big and warm with notes of mint covered black fruits, tar, dark chocolate and violets. A very good warmth. Good length. To go along some grilled burgers, it fitted the bill perfectly.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château Mont-Redon
Popped and poured. A soft, warm, mature nose with notes of undergrowth, dried raspberries, pine resin and warm herbs. Opens up nicely in the glass. Fully mature and enjoyable.
The taste is round and mature with notes of red cherries, raspberries, moist earth, herbs and pine nuts. A medium long, warm finish with soft tannins. A nice mouth full of mature Ch-du-Pape.
87p   (tasted 20115/08)

Exploring The Forgotten Side Of Bordeaux - Chapter IX

Carbonnieux is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, dating back to the twelfth century. The current owners, the Perrin family bought the estate in 1956.

It is the largest producer of white wine among the classified Graves, with 42 ha dedicated to white wine. That explains the amount of bottles of Carbonnieux, both old and new, that I found when I started to buy bottles for this project. And the volume seems to keep the prize down, I paid equally much for these two bottles, 27 Euro/bottle.
The blend is 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon.

1982 Chateau Carbonnieux

What a surprise! A 33 year old white Bordeaux that are brimming with life! The nose is deep, upfront, and of course a bit mature but not much (would have guessed a 1995-96 from a more prominent chateau if I was given this blind). Lovely notes of dried peached, oilcloth, dry grass, paint and matchbox. Dried up lemon curd. Very, very good. From time to time it reminds me of a fine Clos de Coulee dé Serrant on the nose.

The taste is tight, focused and mature with notes of lemon cream, oilcloth, dry herbs and dried pine apple. Complex. A very good acidity. Long and fine. Really, really good. The best Carbonnieux I have tasted, yet.

91p   (tasted 2015/08)

 

 

2004 Chateau Carbonnieux

A much darker colour than the 1982, and there is something wrong here. The nose is big and open and clearly oxidized. The taste follow the pattern with a oxidize feel with a dryness and hollowness. A badly stored bottle I guess.

Not rated   (tasted 2015/08)

Two Shot Bottles Of 1975 Chianti Classico Riserva

Recently I bought a couple of bottles of 1975 Chianti´s. Last night I thought it was time to test drive two bottles, to go along some Italian delicatessen.

1975 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campino, Benelli
DOA - smelled like mud and tasted like it to... Only 500 bottles made and this was bottle nr 66.
50p   (tasted 2015/08)

1975 Chianti Classico Riserva, Conti Serristori
DOA - the nose high of VA and sour grapes, and the taste is all about high acidity and nothing else...
50p   (tasted 2015/08)

Just to start over with something else - what to open? Note to follow.

Earlier 1975 Chianti´s tasted - that proved to be fine...:
http://barolista.blogspot.se/2012/05/tasting-1975-chianti.html

http://barolista.blogspot.se/2012/06/two-more-1975-chiantis.html

http://barolista.blogspot.se/2012/09/then-now-chianti-classico-terreno.html

The Sixth Costa Brava Dispatch

As I mentioned in the fifth dispatch, much have happened in Empordà during the 21th century. Many new wineries have been established, and some have been reborn through new generations.
Here are some of them, presented through the wines I have tasted.

2010 Coma Fredosa, Hugas de Batlle
The first releases from this winery was from vintage 2008, so this is really a young estate. Edu Hugas de Batlle, who's family owns hotels in the area, already had some vineyards but sold the grapes to a another winery. He bought some more land in 2000 and now have 16 ha.

The Coma Fredosa is made out of 100% Garnatxa (Grenache) and displays a big, smoky nose with notes of dark berries, violets, Christmas spices, dried strawberries and dusty earth. Even some barnyard notes. Feels a bit old fashioned (in a good way), from a new winery.
The taste is young and peppery with notes of blueberries, spices, scorched earth and old chocolate. Needs time to open up. Some dusty tannins and a good acidity. Long and warm. I expect this to improve with 3-5 years in the cellar. Promising.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

2008 Espiritu, Mas Estela
I tasted two wines from this estate. Mas Estela was created when the current owners bought it in 1989. The vineyards had been abandoned for a long time. They now tend to 17 ha of vineyards that all are organic and biodynamic certified.

This blend of Garnatxa, Syrah and Samsò (Carignan) sports a tight, warm nose with notes of meat, lavender, blueberries and bay leaves. A fine spicy scent. There is even a hint of an ocean breeze, in the sense of a saltiness. Very good.
The taste is firm and steady with notes of blueberries, ink, violets and dry liquorice. A very good structure with finely tuned tannins. A medium long finish with a nice dry twist at the end. Don´t know if it will get better with time, but it should stay at this level for another 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2015/07)

2005 Vinya Selva de Mar, Mas Estela
The second wine from Mas Estela is a beauty. The blend is the same as for the Espiritu above. The nose is deep, focused and spicy with notes of ripe plums, smoke, Christmas spices, morello cherries and a touch of old balsamic vinegar. Deep and refined. Very, very good.
The taste is big and broad and has a great intensity, and notes of plums, blueberries, bonfire, violets and scorched earth. The finish is long, warm and impressive. Really good. This could do with 2-4 more years in the cellar. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

2005 Emporion, Mas Llunes
The owners of Mas Llunes have made wine for some time, but before 2000 they belonged to a cooperative. They produce some 100.000 bottles a year, of which ca 65.000 is released as Mas Llunes wines.

The Emporion is made out of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Syrah. The nose is deep, warm and seedy with notes of blackberries, sweet tobacco, plums, pine wood and some oak vanilla. The fruit is verging on cooked. Good though.
The taste is big, warm and concentrated with notes of black currant jam, plums, coffee and earth. A long, warm finish with some wood tannins peeking through. A bit unfocused.
82p   (tasted 2015/07)

2014 Caminante, Terra Remota
Terra Remota was established in 2002 and had their first release in 2006. They have 23 ha of vineyards and produce 100.000 bottles a year.

This Garnatxa Blanca, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay blend has a ever so slightly pink colour. The nose is pure and creamy with notes of grass, peach, melon and fresh herbs. Some chalky scents. Refreshing and good.
The taste is broader than the nose leads me to believe, with creamy blood grape fruit and notes of grass and herbs. A nice dryness in the end of the finish, but I would liked to have the acidity a tad higher.
85p   (tasted 2015/07)

2010 Mig Mig, La Vinyeta
La Vinyeta´s first release was in 2006. By now they have 45 ha of vineyards, with impressing 19 different grapes, and a production of 150.000 bottles annually.

The Mig Mig has a unusual blend - it is 50% Grey Grenache and 50% Marselan. The Grey Grenache have been used for a long time in Empordá although the black version is the normal grape variety when it comes to Grenache. Marselan is a hybrid created in the 1960´s and is waiting for DO certification.
The nose is deep and wilful with fine notes of sloe berries, road dust, rosehips, warm tiles and smoke. From time to time it smells like when you walk into a house that have stood abandon for a long time. Interesting and very good.
The taste is young still with a good firmness and notes of cool blueberries, road dust, earth and dried flowers. A long, salivating finish with a high acidity. Very, very good. Again, has a very own character. I like it. Would love to taste more vintages.
90p   (tasted 2015/07)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2008 Blanc de Blancs, Michel Turgy

The sun is shining and I'm still on vacation - why not open a bottle of bubbly? 

Then I need to find something nice to open to go along the grilled burgers tonight. Cabernet, Syrah, Granatxa or...?

2008 Blanc de Blancs, Michel Turgy
Another fine 2008. The nose is young, finely tuned although rather open, with notes of smoke, yellow pears, lily of the valley, butter cookies and dried up Calvados. Very, very good. Deep and fine.
The taste is young and tight with notes of crumbled butter cookies, yellow apples, white currants and sweet minerals. A high, fine acidity. Long. This will need some years in the cellar.
92p   (tasted 2015/08)

A Nice Old Style Barbaresco - 1993 Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva, Sergio Barale

I have said it before, I think that 1993 is a undervalued vintage in Piemonte. Kerin O´Keefe in her Barolo and Barbaresco (2014) gives the vintage 2 stars, not the only error in this book...
I buy as often I see them. I bought two bottles of this one for 25 Euro each, talk about value!

1993 Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva, Sergio Barale
The nose is medium deep, mature and somewhat restrained with fine notes of rosehips, dried red berries, mushrooms, raspberry liquorice and forest floor. A little low keyed but it has a mature charm and fine characteristics. Some smoky scents after a while. Very good.
The taste is mature and tight with notes of lingonberries, dried red cherries, rose petals, dry tobacco and mushrooms. Long and dry. Touch of old military chocolate in the finish. Perfectly mature. Worked very well with a mincemeat steak with fried vegetables and a rosé pepper sauce.
88p   (tasted 2015/08)

 

 

A Lot Of Oldies = Goodies!

A couple of weeks ago Mikke invited to his annual going-on-holiday-tasting and this time we got to drink a lot of mature wines.
Almost all wines tasted double blind, see below.

NV Brut Extra, Piper-Heidsieck
When googled we guessed this to be from the 50 or 60´s. If anyone know, please tell me! The bottle contained 77 cl, nothing I can recall seen before.
The nose is (of course!) mature and somewhat dusty with notes of mushroom cream, dried fruits, old chocolate and almond paste. It actually got fresher with air for about an hour or two before declining.
The taste is mature and broad with notes of almonds, mushrooms and dried fruits. There is some bubbles left. A fine acidity and a decent long finish. A fine salty touch. Drinking really well.
87p   (tasted 2015/07)

Three white wines got poured, blind. An interesting comparison of Chardonnay from three parts of the world.
2007 Pouilly-Fuissé Tris des Hauts de Vigne, Domaine Gueffens
A fine, cool nose with some maturity and notes of spicy lemons, elderberries, dry vanilla and some fudge. Deep and fine. A very creamy character.
The taste is concentrated, warm and medium mature with notes of candied lemons, matchbox, sage and dried flowers. Very, very long and intense. This is good and in a perfect drinking window.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

2007 Chamoson Chardonnay V.V., Simon Maye
This Swiss Chardonnay comes out on top in this trio. I have tasted his Syrah before and been impressed. Same thing with this wine. The nose is refined and deep with notes of ripe lemons, grass, smoke and summer flowers. A wonderful structure. Deep and racy.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of starfruit, lemon peel, cucumber water, dried flowers and a hint of fudge. A very long, taut finish with a high acidity and a pure warmth. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

2007 Les Noisetiers Chardonnay, Kistler
A much more opulent nose on this one, with notes of lemon cream, almond paste, fudge and Christmas spices. Very good in its rich style.
The taste is somewhat mature, broad and warm with notes of dried tropical fruits, matchbox and almond paste. A long warm finish with a tiny bitter note. Very good but a bit unfocused, compared to the two previous wines.
87p   (tasted 2015/07)

Four decanters hits the table. We were given no info, bur most guesses were on Bordeaux, although we thought them to be younger...
1955 Château Rouet
A deep, mature, animal nose with notes of dried black currants, cigarette ashes, dark orange peel and some leafy aromas. Very good and holds well in the glass.
The taste is cool and mature with notes of fresh stables, red and black currants, charcoal and tobacco. A medium long finish with a fine balance. Very, very good. 60 year is no age for this one. From Côtes Fronsac. Mikke obviously bought it for 15 Euro - who said Bordeaux is expensive! :-)
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

1955 Domaine de L´Eglise
This Pomerol started out soft and uneasy but with air it turned into the best of these four. The nose grows and becomes big and meaty with notes of sweet plums, pipe tobacco, mushrooms and moist undergrowth. Deep, sweet and a touch smoky. Very, very good.
The taste is mature and steady with notes of plums, tobacco, autumn leaves and old leather. Very long, balanced and tight. A fine warmth to the fruit. Wears its 60 years even easier than the wine before.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

1955 Château Junayme
A open, light, mature nose with notes of stables, dried red fruits, old leather and tobacco. Fully mature and then some. A little lose around the edges although its holding on.
The taste is mature, seedy and dry with some red and black currants, tobacco and dusty earth. Works well with the food but is a bit to foursquare on its own. From Côtes-Canon-Fronsac.
78p   (tasted 2015/07)

1955 Château Branaire-Ducru
On paper the best, but the proof, as always, is in the bottle. And in this case it is the least good in the line up. The nose is a tad over the hill with notes of muscovado sugar, soya, dried plums and some smoke.
The taste is old and dry with some beetroots, tobacco and earth. The finish is short and hollow. There is some life left but its going fast.
66p   (tasted 2015/07)

Some of us helped out to extract the corks out of the following bottles, so these were tasted non blind.
1949 Presumably Chambertin, unknown producer
No label except the vintage slip on the top of the neck. According to the wine shop were Mikke bought it (a reliable source where I also have bought wine) it is supposed to be a Chambertin, but the shop owner didn´t have any more info as he had bought it from an estate that obviously didn´t use Cellartracker...
Anyway, the nose opens up nicely in the glass, as old Burgundy do, with notes of root vegetables, pine forest, dried raspberries and dusty earth. A dried up sweetness. I like it, although it is past its prime.
The taste is more up to scratch, with notes of dried red fruits, moist undergrowth, beet root juice and pipe tobacco. The finish is actually long and rather intense. Very good. On the taste alone you wouldn´t think that it is a 65 year old wine.
87p   (tasted 2015/07)

? Volnay, Louis Grivot
For the next one, we knew the wine and producer, or negociant anyway. But not the vintage. It is supposed to be from the 40´s or the 50´s, which compared to the others would be the case.
The nose is deep, round and mature with notes of dried strawberries, bitter orange, nougat and coffee grounds. Very fine. A hint of VA, in a positive way. Alive and kicking, with a fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of dried red fruits, tobacco, root vegetables and forest floor. A very fine acidity. Long and intense. Really good.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

1947 Les Grands E Echezeaux Têtes de Cuvée, unknown producer
Another variant of lack of information - we knew the vintage and wine but not the producer - interesting enough, the label doesn´t say. But who ever it was, he or she did know his or her stuff. The nose is deep, mature and velvety with notes of beet roots, forest floor, cool tobacco, a hint of chocolate and a whiff of wild strawberries. A very fine sweetness. Wears its age with grace. Pure and refined.
The taste is tight, mature and intense with notes of red cherries, forest floor, root vegetables, tobacco and some dry chocolate. A long, pure finish with a velvety mouth feel. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

1969 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tête de Cuvèe, Duvigneau
A Ch-du-Pape in a Burgundy line up - what a sacrilege! :-) Actually, it worked out well. The nose is big, mature and meaty with notes of dried red and black cherries, moist earth, warm herbs and a touch of beet root juice. Very good.
The taste is big and tight with notes of dried raspberries, herbs, scorched earth and tobacco. A medium long finish with a nice warmth. If this would have been poured blind, I would have guessed that we still were in Burgundy land. Time - the great equalizer...
87p   (tasted 2015/07)

1969 (presumably) Corton-Bressandes, P. Dubreuil-Fontaine
Again, wine and producer known but not the vintage. It was presumed to be a 1969. The nose is open, sweet and deep with notes of ripe raspberries, red plums, warm forest floor and pipe tobacco. Rich, generous and sweet. Very, very good. Feels the youngest in the line up.
The taste is tight, intense and delicious with notes of red and black cherries, root vegetables, smoke and warm tiles. A long, pure, structured finish. This still needs some time in the bottle. Really good stuff.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

2013 Johannisberg Valais, Domaine Mercier
A youngster is poured as a palate cleanser before the sweeties. This Sylvaner has a young, fresh nose with notes of pear ice cream, wet rocks, spices and basil. Good.
The taste is young, seedy and fresh with notes of grass, slate and bitter almonds. The finish is medium long and very dry. Could use a year or two in the cellar.
85p   (tasted 2015/07)

The final line up consisted of three sweeties, or at least they were sweet years ago... Tasted double blind.
1937 Château Couillac
A rather deep but foursquare nose with notes of dried apricots, rust, moist earth and some glue. One dimensional. Still hanging in there but just so.
The taste is medium bodied and semi dry with notes of dried tropical fruits, rubber carpet, orange peel and some bitter notes. The finish is long and concentrated. Better and livelier on the palate than on the nose. Good. From Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.
83p   (tasted 2015/07)

1971 Château Guiraud
A big, intense, mature nose with gorgeous notes of apricot purée, burned toffee, iodine and some old wood. A very fine botrytis scent. A lovely maturity. Very, very fine.
The taste is big, sweet and intense with notes of dried apricots, blood orange peel, band aid and crumbly butter cookies. Very long and yummy with a fine backing acidity. A great maturing Sauternes, that will keep for 10+ years.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

???
And now for the real mystery bottle. Mikke thought is should be a Burgundy so we opened it with the others, but it has a short cork that old fortified wines often has, and one sniff told us, this is sweet, so it was pushed to last.
The nose is big, sweet and concentrated with notes of dark plums, figs, muscovado sugar and dark chocolate mousse. Dense and rich. Has some age but with these kind of wines, hard to pinpoint more exactly.
The taste is big, sweet and mature with notes of raspberry liquorice, plum pudding, moist earth, sweet tea and chocolate mousse. Very long, sweet and a touch fiery. Our guesses goes to the south of France and a fortified wine with 30-40 years of age, but who knows?
86p   (tasted 2015/07)

The Fifth Costa Brava Dispatch

Home again in Sweden. The last week in Costa Brava we had no wifi - a huge first world problem - so there were no Costa Brava Dispatches.

Instead I tasted a lot of wines.

I managed to taste 30 wines from 17 different producers from Empordà. Empordà is a DO (Denominación de Origen) since 1972 but wines have been made in the region for some 2.500 years, since the Greeks brought grapevins with them. The name Empordá comes from the Greek city of Empúries, which was founded in this area in 575 BC.

Up to the phylloxera struck in the end of the 19th century the region wine producing had been steadingly growing and there were 40.000 hectares of vineyards. Empordá never really recovered from the phylloxera plague (which they call it), and today the DO consists of 1.826 hectares.

But much have happened in the 21th century, more of that in following posts. Now for some wines tasted and drunk.

2006 Negre de Guarda, Castello de Calonge
Walking down the market street of L´Estartit we came across a table in a corner where bottles of wine stood. We were presented to the wines in a mix of Spanish and English, and since I live by the motto when in doubt, chose the most expensive alternative, I bought this bottle. For 8 Euro.
It is a blend of Granatxa (Grenache), Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon and have spent two years in cask. The nose is upfront and somewhat mature with a old fashioned Rioja nose, in the shape of dill, crawfish and soft red fruit. But there are also scents of smoke, earth and clean stables. Very good.
The taste is mature, dry and fairly intense with notes of vanilla dusted cherries, scorched earth, dried strawberries and smoke. The finish is medium long and dry. Kept well all evening long. Very good for the 8 Euro I paid.
85p   (tasted 2015/07)

2014 Mar, Mas Oller
Mas Oller is owned by Carles Esteva who also owns Can Ráfols de Caus in Penedès. This white consists of 80% Picaboll and 20% Malvasia. The nose is cool, flowery and creamy with notes of dry honey, dried up glue, melon, pine and lots of mineral. Salivating and fine. Some white pepper after a while.
The taste is full bodied and spicy with notes of ripe peaches, rubber, warm tiles and melon. A medium level acidity. Needs to be rather cold to retain its freshness, when it hits room temperature it feel a bit blowsy. But a really good wine for 9 Euro (this turned out be a consistent pattern - the wines from Empordá, with some exception, are cheap! And good!)
86p   (tasted 2015/07)

2012 Pur, Mas Oller
The red Mas Oller is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Garnacha and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and sports a fresh, herbal nose with notes of blueberries, meat, balsa wood and earth. Very good. Interesting enough I have, as with the Mar above, although tasted on different days, written salivating to describe the nose.
The taste is cool, medium bodied and peppery with notes of blueberries, crowberries, hot earth and some rubber. A medium long, fresh, peppery finish. Very, very good. Paired really well with some local made sausages. For 10 Euro a real bargain.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

2010 Carlota, Oliver Conti
Here we have a predominantly Cabernet Franc wine (75%, the rest being Cabernet Sauvignon). The nose is open and flirty with notes of cool black currants, green pepper, a hint of chocolate and freshly cut grass. A fine laid back sweetness to the fruit. Very, very good.
The taste is still young and focused with notes of red and black currants, liquorice, smoke, earth and green peppers. A high, fine acidity. Long and fine. Really good and should become even better with 2-3 years in the cellar. 15 Euro. 4.516 bottles made. Info here.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

Yummy pigs trotters!

The Fourth Costa Brava Dispatch

On our way to Cap de Creus we passed the vineyards of  Martin Faixó. Intrigued by the surroundings, I got hold of a bottle at a local wine shop.

2008 Perafita, Martin Faixó
This is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Garnatxa Negra and 17% Merlot. It has a nose with a beginning maturity and notes of plumpudding, melted asphalt, herbs, warm rocks and some stables. A fine density. Very, very good.
The taste is warm, structured and somewhat mature with notes of warm black currants, dry herbs, scorched earth and plums. A fine warmth with juicy tannins. Long and fine. Could evolve some more but this is a fine drink today.
89p   (tasted 2015/07)

The Third Costa Brava Dispatch

This is a kind of preparing-for-tomorrow post. Tomorrow I will visit Castello Perelada, a producer located just 15 km from where we are staying. I have tasted one of their premium wines, although it was some time ago - the 2007 Ex Ex, a 100% Mourvèdre wine.

When shopping in a local Supermercat I noticed a couple of bottles of Castillo Perelada, and I bought the wine below out of curiosity.
Looking forward to tomorrow! Post will follow.

2010 Finca La Garriga, Castello Perelada
The La Garriga is made from Samsò (Carinyena) and comes from the oldest vines on Perelada´s estate, more than 50 years old. Aged for 14 months on American oak barriques.
The nose is deep, warm and inviting with finr notes of plums, ripe blueberries, new leather, coffee powder, some smoke and a hint of diesel oil. Very, very good. Powerful, yet graceful.
The taste is sturdy and strong with notes of warm blueberries, scorched earth, meat stock and a touch of old whiskey barrels. Long, compact and balanced. This I like!
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

The Second Costa Brava Dispatch

Time for another producer dynamic duo, and like the wines in the first dispatch, this was a recommendation from Vila Viniteca.

The producer is Espelt, who is located in Empordà.

2011 Coma Bruna Trés Old Vineys. Espelt
This 100% Carignan has a big, warm, somewhat meaty nose with notes of smoke, plums, bay leaves, spices and some dried strawberries. Very, very good and intoxicating. I could, and have, sniffed this most of the evening.
The taste is tight, still rather young and concentrated with notes of dried red and black berries,dry liquorice, cocoa, warm gravel and smoke. A long, fine finish with a good warmth. This is very good and I would happily open another bottle, if I could get one. Could someone please import this to Sweden - thanks!
91p   (tasted 2015/07)

2014 Quince Roures, Espelt
A blend of 50% Lledoner Roig/Grenache Gris) & 50% Lledoner blanc/Grenache Blanc, it opens rather shy, but with some swirling, notes of warm grass, white pepper, dried peach and white currants emerge. Laid back and very good.
The taste is mediu, bodied and spicy with notes of dusty warth, white pepper, aome dry wild strawberries and dried flowers. A very fine warmth. Very good.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)