We recently tasted two beautiful reds: Hammeken Cellars Tosalet Carignan Vinyes Velles 2017, and Oráculo Tinto del Pais Tempranillo 2019. Their amazing bottle labels foreshadowed the stunning wines inside. This Spanish winery is an exporter of about 1.8 million cases each year to more than 37 countries. Overall, their goal is to create and commercialize modern, high-quality and luxurious Spanish wines. Read on for details.
Tag Archives: Carignan
TerraNoble Wines
We recently attended a Zoom tasting of a diverse selection of TerraNoble Winery Carménère from Chile. For the tasting, we received five samples of impressive wines, detailed below. According to winemaker Marcelo Garcia, these wines are “fresh, easy-drinking, elegant, versatile, food-friendly, quality wines.” We couldn’t agree more, as did other wine writers at the tasting, and a group of our friends who shared the experience.
Garnacha for the Holidays
Garnacha, also known as Grenache, is one of the oldest and most widely planted wine grapes in the world. But its origin goes back to Europe in the region of what is now eastern Spain and southern France.
We recently received samples of three Grenache blends, which we think might make a unique holiday party pour or a perhaps a hostess gift.
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David Phinney’s Department 66
Winemaker David Phinney made his mark with The Prisoner, a best-selling and widely recognized Napa Valley red blend of Zinfandel with the unlikely mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.
A couple of years ago, Phinney sold The Prisoner to beverage giant Constellation Brands for $285 million. He then turned more attention to another grape.
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