Ábrego de Calar 2015
Price: $19.00 (average US retail)
Size: 750ml
Winery: Bodegas Calar
Vintage Year: 2015
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla - La Mancha
TASTING NOTES
Named for the easterly wind that brings rain. 100 percent Tempranillo from gentler slopes, with yields restricted to two kilos per vine. Aged nine months in used French oak. Polished fruit and lead pencil minerality lead to a plush and gracious yet mouthwatering flavor and finish.
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PRESS
Ábrego de Calar (2015) - "Saturated ruby. Smoke accented dark berries, cherry pit and a touch of licorice on the fragrant nose. Smooth and appealingly sweet, offering pliant blackberry and cherry flavors and a spicy jolt of cracked pepper. The smoky quality repeats on a long, youthfully tannic finish that leaves a note of bitter chocolate behind. Raised in neutral French oak barrels."
90 Points Josh Raynolds, Vinous, Feb 1, 2021
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Ábrego de Calar (2015) - "Black cherry, plum and chocolate flavors mingle in this fresh red. Chewy tannins and sweet-tart acidity keep this focused. A fruit-centered style. "
Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, Nov 15, 2018
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BODEGAS CALAR WINERY INFO
Overview: The 100% Tempranillo vineyard consists of gentle north facing slopes extending over 50 acres at elevations between 650 and 700 meters. It is located in the Calatrava volcanic zone, defined by an eroded Pleistocene-era caldera. Soils are abundant in volcanic elements such as basalt, and unique among Iberian Peninsula wine regions.
Yields are kept to two kilos per vine, harvest is manual and grapes are hand sorted before fermentation. For Ábrego de Calar, grapes from loamier soils are used and the wine is aged nine months in second and third-use French oak. The top wine, Calar, comes from the highest slopes featuring exposed volcanic rock, and is aged 12 months including malolactic in 100% new French oak barriques from Boutes and Demptos.
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History: Finca Montanchuelos claims a viticultural tradition dating to the 13th century and the pivotal 1212 defeat of the Moors in nearby Navas de Tolosa at the hands of the Knights of Calatrava.
Modern history at the estate began in the 20th century when Juan José Moreno, whose timber business frequently brought him to Finca Montanchuelos, began to dream of producing great and distinctive wines from its unique terroir. The project is being brought to fruition by Juan José’s daughter Sagrario and grandson Manuel Rivas Moreno. Winemaking is directed by José Carlos García Vega, known for his outstanding wines in Ribera del Duero.
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