Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Somontano
Vintage: 2004
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Color: Black garnet red
Bouquet: canned black currant, blackberries, black chocolate
Taste: medium to full body, black currant , very good structure, balance of tannins with fruit and supported by nice spiciness, toast bread, black chocolate, longer finish
Recommended food pairing: roast meet
Overall score: 86
Price: EUR 12
Stopper: cork
Very good example of Cab Sauv with balance bettwen fruit and secondary and terciary tones. It is unbeleivable when I checked the DO characteristics on the web where the main description is balanced. I used this word twice independently of the text posted below the pic!!
Somontano is a DO (Denominación de Origen) within the Aragón autonomous community of northern Spain. The name Somontano means 'at the foot of the mountains', signifying the region's location in the foothills of the central Pyrenees (Los Pirineos) to the west of Catalonia's Costers del Segre. Somontano was awarded DO status in 1984 and since then it has developed into a significant force in the Spanish wine industry, with a wide range of wine styles and types on offer. It is also one of the few wine-producing areas of Spain to have adopted a modern approach to wine making. This is reflected in Somontano's technologically advanced wineries and vineyard practices, as well as its innovative wine labels. The overall climate here is continental, but the mighty Pyrenees mountain range has a profound effect on grape-growing conditions. Firstly, the vineyards located on high altitude slopes benefit from intense summer heat and correspondingly low night-time temperatures. This diurnal temperature variance ensures that the grapes maintain all-important acidity. Secondly, a large proportion of Somontano's grapes are planted on the foothills, where the vines are cooled by winds blowing down from the mountains in the summer (when temperatures can reach 95F/35C). The third planting zone comprises the southerly plains, which reach out towards the Ebro valley.
'Balanced' is the word commonly used to describe Somontano's wines. The harmony of fruit, alcohol and acidity in the wines makes them extremely attractive to modern-day consumers. International grape varieties thrive in these conditions, alongside local varieties such as Moristel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are the most prominent reds, while Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay top the whites along with Macabeo. Garnacha is also an important variety; it goes into the local blended wines as well as rosé (rosado).
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