Today’s wine sports a black-and-white label that could have been created on your home printer. But its boldness stands out among the colorful fare out there, and might well be a gem of presentation. “3C” implies a wine from the town of, district of and grape variety of Cariñena. The label contains much chatter promoting the old-vine Carignan that thrives in this region between Barcelona and Madrid. The cork is branded with “Carinena Ambassadors” (!), and there is conviction in this bottle of bargain wine. For my money, its a perfect red for your casual summer grilling needs.
2014 3C, Grandes Vinos y Vinedos, Cariñena $6-$8 srp
Deep garnet color. Enticing, spicy nose of dark berries, plum and wind-swept greenery. Flavors are smooth and grapey – almost like the fresh wine you buy at the back door of a peasant farmer in Europe. Refreshing, and reminiscent of a hypothetical “Beaujolais” made with the Carignan grape, its simple, supple and improves with aeration. This is what I like to drink, slightly chilled, on the patio, with grilled anything. It’s genuine stuff made with pride.
87/100 points
