The wines come from Bodegas San Valero Co-Op and they manage 700 grape growers in Carinena covering over 8,600 acres of vineyards. 20% of their Garnacha are old vines ranging in age from 30 to 100 years and are at high altitudes in very rocky soils. You can taste a bit of the minerality in the wine.
The first wine I tasted was the 2014 Castillo Ducay Red. This wine is a blend with 60% of the wine Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes come from 15 to 20 year old vines from the Monte Ducay vineyards. This red is unoaked. You can see the youthfulness of the wine in it's color which was a bright redish color with blue hues. (Tilt the glass and hold it up to the light against something white and you will be able to see the hues of the wine)
The wine had bright acidity with red berry fruit throughout. I did get a hint of vanilla in the wine. Even though it wasn't oaked, it was probably the alcohol talking at 13%. It's a wine with excitement.
This is a young wine and should be consumed at purchase. It is not one to age. It is prices at....are you ready....$7.99
This was my first introduction to the Carinena grape. (There's a first time for everything.) The 2013 Particular Carinena spent 6 months in French oak. I did get some of that oak on the nose along with aromas of talc a touch of red licorice and earthiness with both red and black fruit and under notes of rosemary and spice. Yes, a lot going on in this wine. The palate was very complex, hints of violets, and the acidity is nicely intergrated with the wine. You do get a touch of the mineral notes. As it opens it is velvety on the palate. There is a nice black pepper spice on the finish but it falls off. This wine will age but only for 3-4 years max. The price.....between $8.99 and $10.99
I had both of the above wines with some Spanish cheese. Some Mahon, Iberico and Manchego. Which yes, was my dinner since I was the only one home that evening. Me, my wine and my cheese.
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