The moment you open this beauty, the heady balsamic notes come rolling off the glass, letting you know that you have indeed popped a bottle of Empordá wine. Blackberries and balsamic do a dance with lower notes of vanilla and chocolate on the nose. This one hits the front palate hard with black fruits, tarry leather, and floral-laced hit of acid. Having first experience their wines at a wine festival on the Costa Brava (gracias, PGJ), I actually expected to be bowled over by the tannins. Not so here. As the dark fruits give way to cherries, vanilla, and cocoa flavors, balanced tannins come in to help the long, lightly peppery finish, hold its notes. This one really surprised me in that I expected it to be good, but not a cherry-pepper vanilla cocoa bomb of Catalan love! I had this with assorted fuet, aged roncal, piquillos, and cherries – and the peppery notes just kept giving.
- Rating: Stunning
- Name: Perelada, Finca Espolla 2011
- Winery: Cavas de Castillo Perelada
- Region: Empordá
- Country: Spain
- Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnatxa
- Price: 15 Euros
- Where to Buy: Barcelona wine shops
Posto Novo 