The rediscovery of old-vine plantings throughout Spain, and the effort to modernize their production, has produced a bumper crop of deeply flavored wines that bring satisfaction to both palate and pocketbook. Today’s wine, from the district known as Cariñena is made from 100% Cariñena (Carignan) grapes! Located within the larger north-central region of Aragón, Bodegas San Valero is a very busy co-operative. They utilize Carignan as well as Tempranillo plantings in their numerous bottlings. Today’s wine, known as “Particular,” really shows off the dark, smooth and fulfilling flavors that Carignan can deliver.
2013 Bodegas San Valero Particular, Cariñena $15 srp
Eggplant purple to garnet color. A saturated, “loamy”, slightly roasted nose of dark fruit compote; a blunt, well-rounded bouquet that’s calm and doesn’t shout. Flavors are broad and ripe with a spicy fruit texture that satisfies and lingers long. This wine drank well for 3 nights (under vacuum pressure)! San Valero is a co-op that is doing things very well indeed. Drink now-2021.
89/100 points
