Traditional, oxidative, tawny Port meets Oloroso Sherry style with marked sweetness and developed, rancio notes. Nutty, figgy fruit flavours with some crème caramel notes and aged complexity.
Country: Spain
2011 Celler d’en Guilla, Rec de Brau, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €8, 15% )A turbo-charged Samsó (Cariñena) and Garnatxa blend with deep colour and evident oak on the nose. Dense, wild and herby, with plenty of thyme and rosemary flaovurs, firmish, food friendly tannins and dark, brambly fruit.
Try this with a juicy steak or a leg of lamb.
2005 Pere Guardiola, Clos Floresta, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €12, 14% )A good example of a mature blend of Merlot, Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet, with fresh, grassy acidity, medium weight tannins and a chewy undertone. Drink up, as the fruit is starting to fade a little.
2006 Castillo Perelada, Gran Claustro, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €30, 14% )Using Cabernet, Merlot, Grenache and Cariñena, this is a classic Emporda blend, albeit in a modern style with plenty of new oak. Deeply coloured, concentrated and oaky with cassis and blackberry fruit, firmish tannins and a chewy finish.
NV Pere Guardiola, Torre de Capmany Gran Reserva, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €15, 15% )Mature, concentrated, figgy fortified style made in a tawny, barrel-aged style. The volatility is quite marked here, but it’s a complex, aged style with nutty, almond and rancio flavours and impressive, Christmas cake complexity
2011 Roig Parals, Tocat de L’Ala, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €9, 14.5% )Dense, concentrated, modern blend of Cariñena and Garnatxa that’s made to age. It’s a serious, yet stylish wine that tastes as good it looks, with sun-kissed black and red fruits, tangy acidity and a core of tarry tannins. Needs robust food.
2011 Martà Fabra, L’Oratori, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €7, 14.5% )Fresh, aromatic red with some reduction and tangy acidity. A wine with no oak, just pure summer fruits, bright acidity and lively cherry and raspberry fruit. Very drinkable. Try this chilled.
2010 Espelt Viticultors, Coma Bruna, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €20, 14.5% )The top wine from this exciting winery is a blend of Cariñena and Syrah, with heady, spicy perfume to the fore and sweet, spicy vanilla oak. The bite and rusticity of the Cariñena kicks in on the palate, giving the wine acidity, tannin and a hint of what Australians call grunt. Complex stuff.
2004 Vinyes dels Aspres, Bac de les Ginesteres, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €25 (37.5cl), 14.5% )Savoury, spicy, complex, mature, espresso notes with some sun-dried rancio complexity and Tokaj like acidity. Hazelnut and dried fruits, with complexity that builds on the palate. Complex, Sherry-like notes. Superb.
2012 Vinyes dels Aspres, Oriol Negre, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €6, 14.5% )Blending Cariñena, Garnatxa and Cabernet Sauvignon to good effect, David Molas has produced an unoaked cuvée with lots of character. The alcohol isn’t apparent here, thanks to the fresh acidity, while the tannins are surrounded by sweet raspberry fruit. A winery that never lets you down.
2009 Martà Fabra, Vinyes Velles, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €10, 15% )Old vine Cariñena and Garnacha that expresses the essence of Empordà . Rich, concentrated an slightly rustic with high-toned notes of fig, volatile acidity and wild herbs. Needs food.
2008 Vinyes d’Olivardots, Gresa, Alt Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €20, 14.5% )Maturing nicely, this is a cuvée of Grenache, Cariñena, Syrah and Cabernet with sweet, balsamic notes, ripe, figgy fruit, some wild herbs and well-integrated alcohol. Appealingly complex.