Espelt
Terres Negres Empordà 2010
Confirms my theory that Empordà is a deeply underrated wine region. A big, beautiful Carignan and a bit of Grenache. I think it benefited much from the five years in the bottle. Will be looking out for this again. — 6 months ago
L'Olivera
Catalunya Garnatxa Negra Merlot
As they say here, “Super-top,” just like all the L’Olivera wines we’ve had. Fresh. Bright acidity, but still balanced. 14% ABV but tastes lighter. My wine-making in-laws were enthused. — 7 months ago
Portal del Montsant
Santes Montsant Negre
Not bad for a non-vintage supermarket wine. Brings to mind Fruit Rollups and Capri-Sun, but in a good way. If you’re in the supermarket and you’re not sure what to trust, this is a safe bet. — 3 months ago
Mistik
Ecologic Vi d'Autor Red Blend
Chewy, big, oaky. Not flawed, but not for me. — 5 months ago
Cellers de Scala Dei
El tribut de Scala dei Priorat Red Blend 2023
Classic Priorat garnatxa: delicate, nuanced, and everything you would come to expect from Catalunya’s favorite wine region. — 6 months ago
Ca N'Estruc
L'Equilibrista Blanco 2023
Best white wine I’ve had as far back as I can remember. Aromatics of lemon zest, melon, cantaloupe, and a wildflower garden. Well balanced, subtle minerality, not too much oak. Varietals are what you would typically encounter in a fine Catalonian Cava, but here presented as an unostentatious still white. Encountered at Tangana in Gracia, Barcelona. Went really well with the bacalao, carxofas, and romesco. — 7 months ago
Ferrer i catasus
Compta Ovelles Penedès Syrah Blend
Hot and medicinal. — 4 months ago
Herencia Altes
La Cirereta Red Blend
A perfectly balanced blend of garnatxa negra, syrah, and carinyena. Not too chewy or oaky, but instead pleasantly large at 14.5% ABV carrying aromas and flavors of fresh plums, cherries, and raspberries. The 2023 vintage will likely get even better with a bit of aging, but it can definitely be drunk now. — 4 months ago
Mas Pòlit
Vilamaniscle Empordà D.O. Red Blend 2021
A blend of cab, grenache, and syrah. Very tannic and a bit green. Perhaps another vintage with riper fruit might be better, especially with age, but this is not the best Empordà has to offer. — 6 months ago
Adam Shaylor
What an amazing blend! Imagine your typical Gewürztraminer made subtle by its mixture with traditional Catalan varietals. I’ve found that certain meals—carbonara, some east Asian dishes, and blended soups—need a white wine in a tall, skinny bottle that doesn’t suck. This is it. — 3 months ago