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.
Celler Petit Emporda Tasting
13 September 20132011 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.
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
2012 Can Sais, Migjorn, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €8, 14% )Using organic and biodynamic methods, Marta Arenas makes appealingly refreshing, understated wines. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other local varieties is grassy and cassis-like with firmish tannins.
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.
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.
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.
2008 Martà Fabra, Masia Carreras, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €18, 15% )A Cariñena-based blend with some bottle age. Despite the high alcohol, this is a stylish wine, with savoury tannins, sweet flavours of fig and wild strawberry and a rich, satisfying finish.
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.
NV Martà Fabra, Masia Pairal Can Carreras, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €8 (37.5cl), 15% )Grapey, sweet, fortified Muscat with a slight alcoholic burn, this has notes of citrus and spice and marked acidity on the finish.