2018 Celler de Capçanes Montsant Mas Donís Old Vines, Spain, Wine Review

An Eric Solomon selection sporting a new label. This is always an excellent value that is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Merlot, and 20% Syrah. Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black pepper. Full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this is easy drinking and very tasty. Lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and cherries. Clean. Works great on its own and enough acidity to work well with pasta or burgers. Drink over the next five years.

Grade:

B+

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$15.00USD

Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we reported on American Rhone-style wines we tasted at the 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008. We noted that this event was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective because, unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. While this was a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers weren’t represented, there was still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts.

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2017 Celler de Capçanes Peraj Petita Rosat, Spain, Montsant, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

This is a Rose wine from the region of Montsant in Spain. It is made from Garnacha (Grenache) grapes. An interesting color; sort of electric pale pink. Pretty. The nose has scents of celery and cherries which is nice. On the palate, this is light bodied and very easy to drink. Refreshing. This is not a fruit bomb. This retails for under $15 and provides a nice value at that price. Affordable for summer get togethers.

Campo de Borja: Spain's "Empire of Garnacha"

I must admit, I didn't know much about Campo de Borja when I first read about the results of this year's San Francisco International Wine Competition. I was surprised to learn that Masia de Bielsa 's 2007 Garnacha won the "Best Grenache" award – quite an honor for a $12 bottle of wine from a DO with only 17 wineries.

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2017 Celler Cal Pla Black Slate Porrera, Spain, Priorat, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$18.00USD

This is a great value in Priorat and that is something that is not often said about any wine. This is a blend of Garnacha and Carinjena with a small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has that slate/mineral quality along with black licorice and a ton of black cherries. Full bodied. On the palate, this is deep with loads of black cherry fruit over a mineral base. Great texture. This should drink great for the next ten to twelve years. It drinks great on its own and will work well with grilled meats.

2017 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Embruix, Spain, Priorat, Wine review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

Another top producer in Priorat, this is their entry level red. It is a blend of 27% Garnacha, 26% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 18% Cariñena, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque. The nose has dust, black cherries, plums and coffee. On the palate, spicy black cherry fruit. Medium tannins. The alcohol is noticeable but not obtrusive. Long finish. This is delicious and in need of some cellar time. Perhaps another three to five years. This drinks great on its own but will need big food right now. Perhaps after a few years it calms down. This is the kind

2018 Celler de Capçanes Montsant Mas Donís Old Vines, Spain, Wine Review

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Campo de Borja: Spain's "Empire of Garnacha"

2017 Celler Cal Pla Black Slate Porrera, Spain, Priorat, Wine Review

2017 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Embruix, Spain, Priorat, Wine review