91 Point blend of Monastrell, Syrah, and Garnacha Tintorera
Over the years we’ve featured a number of wines from Charlotte-based importer Eric Solomon. The wines from his European Cellars importing company represent Solomon’s 35 years of experience in tasting and selecting wines in Europe in order to present the best to the U.S. market. While Eric has a terrific portfolio of wines from all over Europe, my personal favorites are the custom cuvées he does in partnership with winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage. Alcaria is the fruit of that partnership.
Spain's south-east coast -- home to rich, ripe reds
Bodegas Castaño
Yecla is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines produced around the town of Yecla in the northeastern corner of Murcia. Much like the neighboring regions of Alicante and Jumilla, Yecla is noted for producing dark, rich, fruit-driven reds made predominantly from Monastrell — a grape known as Mourvèdre in France. The punishingly hot summers of the region are perfect for ripening Monastrell, producing wines with tons of depth and structure.
Bodegas Castaño is the main winemaking presence in Yecla. The property has been nurturing old vine plantings for generations and from their humble beginnings, they have progressed to own more than 10% of the vineyards and production in the DO.
Jeb Dunnuck - 91 points
Jeb Dunnuck sums up the 2016 Alcaria rather nicely in his 91 point review:
“A custom cuvée made for importer Eric Solomon with Jean-Marc Lafage, the 2016 Alcaria is a blend of 50% Monastrell, 25% Syrah, and the balance Garnacha, brought up in a mix of French and American oak barrels. An incredible value that more than over-delivers, this deeply colored red boasts terrific notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, smoked herbs, and graphite. With full-boded richness and a sexy, opulent style on the palate, it opens up nicely in the glass and should keep for 2-4 years.”
Pair this one with steak and chops from the grill and hard cheeses from Spain and France — Manchego would be my choice!
Bodegas Castaño
Alcaria Red Blend- Can't make it in? Call 828-253-0060 with your credit card number.
We'll hold your purchase in our temperature controlled cellar for pickup at your convenience
or we'll arrange for delivery.