Modern, blackberry, bramble and liquorice-scented Carignan aimed at the export market with good texture, medium weight tannins, well-integrated oak and a firm, food friendly finish. Make sure you drink this with robust food.
Red Varietal: Carignan
2008 Celler Brugarol, Bell-Lloc, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €16, 13.5% )A blend of Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Samsó, this has a strange, pine resin-like nose reminiscent of Retsina. The palate is a little earthy, with some baked, drying tannins and fading fruit.
2011 Espelt Viticultors,Terres Negres, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €11, 14% )Pure Cariñena from a winery that combines the best of traditional and modern philosophies, producing wines with integrity. A rich, lightly-oaked, stylish red that shows the grape variety at its best with plum and sweet, figgy fruit and good minearlity and freshness.
2009 Oliveda, Finca Furot, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €6, 13% )A pure Cariñena from slate soils located at altitude, this is showing some development in the glass. It’s a little rustic perhaps, but there’s some attractive oak sweetness here, bright acidity, firmish tannins and plenty of fruit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2008 Arché Pagès, Bonfill, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €18, 15% )Attractive, oak-tinged blend of Grenache, Cariñena and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a modern, aromatic, still-youthful blend with refreshing acidity, harmonious tannins, appealing sweetness and a long, tapering finish. Very complex.
2008 Empordà lia, Coromina, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €9, 14.5% )A varietal Cariñena from one of the better co-ops in the region. This is a tarry, slightly chewy red with plenty of tannin, notes of wild Mediterranean herbs and refreshing acidity. The fruit is drying a little on the palate.