2007 Can Ràfols dels Caus Penedès Pairal - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (9/2/2011)
13,5% abv; from Xarel.lo-vines c.60yo; aged in chestnut barrels. The scent is slightly oxidative but very appley and floral and a bit yeasty - a bit like flor! Quite rich, but steely and focused. Deliciously bitter on the finish. Perhaps not an easy wine but a fascinating one and I think I love it (must try more than a tasting sample to make sure, though!).
2008 Can Ràfols dels Caus Penedès Vinya la Calma - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (9/2/2011)
14% abv; 100% Chenin Blanc. Rich, opulent, chalky aromas, a bit oaky. Concentrated, pretty massive but also well structured. I'm not entirely sure about this wine: it is full of fascinating aromas but none of the aromas are recognizable as Chenin. And the oak is perhaps a bit too forward.
2005 Can Camps Penedès Pedradura - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (9/2/2011)
13,5%; from the Marselan-grape, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Can Camps is IIRC owned by Can Ràfols dels Caus, but I'm not entirely sure what the exact relationship is. A concentrated, ripe wine with lots of sweet dark fruit. Amazingly fresh on the palate, there is none of that almost-overripeness of the scent on the palate. Moreish despite all the sweet fruit thanks to healthy levels of acidity. Quite tannic still, needs a bit of time.
2009 Can Ràfols dels Caus Sumoll Penedès - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (9/2/2011)
12,5%; from the Sumoll-grape, an authochthonous Catalan variety; aged in chestnut barrels. A really lovely aroma of bright red fruits, cherry pit. The cherry pit tartness continues on the palate, lovely bright acidity and crunchy tannins. I loved this, but I think many will find the structure on the hard side and fruit on the lean side.
2001 Can Ràfols dels Caus Penedès Caus Lubis - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (9/2/2011)
14% abv; 100% Merlot. I usually don't get along well with Merlot, but if I must drink it, this would be my choice. Dark fruit, ripe and still a bit oaky despite 10 years age; wonderfully complex aromas of ripe fruit mixed with refreshing leafiness. Full bodied and sweet but also energetic and structured enough to be refreshing. A very well balanced wine that can handle the ripeness and ends up being very light on its feet.