Short notes from a tasting of Celler Vinos Pinol, a relatively young wine producer from Terra Alta, Catalunya. The tasting was organized by Barcino Gourmet which is importing the wines.
Raig de Raim 2006 - Garnacha, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged 4 months in French and American oak. Quite dark. Not much on the nose. A little hot. Sweet fruit balanced by a good dose of acidity. Vibrant, fresh. Quite tannic. Probably better in a year but a good drink now. Very good and good QPR.
Sacra Natura 2006 - Organic. Carinena and Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in new French oak. Medium-bodied. Good nose. Sweet and smoky with prominent acidity and tannin. Needs a year or two to integrate. Very good.
Nuestra Senora del Portal 2005 - Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Merlot and Syrah. 7 months in French and American oak. Smoky, spicy. Dry, dried herbs, tobacco. Rich. Oaky. Good but very international in style. Could be from anywhere.
Nuestra Senora del Portal (white) 2006 - Garnacha, Macabeo, Muscat. Light, lightly sweet. Jarring bitterness on the finish. Boring and slightly unpleasant.
L'Avi Arrufi 2004 - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Garnacha. Aged 15 months in new French and American oak barrels. Lots of fruit. Medium-bodied. Spicy, raspberry. Well-balanced, complex. Good acidity. Very long finish. Tannic but can be drunk with pleasure. This should age well. Excellent.
Mather Teresina NV - A blend of 2004 and 2003 vintages. Cabernet Sauvignon, Morenillo (?), Merlot, Garnacha, Syrah and Tempranillo. Nearly black. High alcohol at over 14% and it shows, too. Sweet, spicy, rich. Very tasty. Good acidity keeps it refreshing. Very long finish. Still a bit tight. I get the feeling this is capable of giving much more. Excellent now but might be even better in 3 years or so.
Josefina Pinol Vi Dolc 2005 - Garnacha dessert wine. Late harvested grapes (raisined) for this wine were picked in the first week of November. Lots of berries, blueberry syrup. Sweet and rich but so perfectly balanced it is quite easy to drink. Sort of like very rich grape juice without any cloying character. Grape skin texture. Long finish. A most unique and interesting wine. Good QPR, too.