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Almira
Los Dos 2 Barrica Old Vines, 2006 Despite the strong euro and weak American dollar, Spain
continues to offer us many of the best wine values. In addition to famous areas
such as Rioja, Ribero del Duero, and Priorat, wine regions within Spain that are
not internationally known seem to pop up on a regular basis. One such region is the DO (similar to France’s AC and
Italy’s DOC) Campo de Borja in the region of Aragón. Winemaking here dates to
Roman times and wine has been exported from here since medieval times. Campo de
Borja is geographically an extension of southern Navarra which partially
surrounds Rioja. Vineyards here climb the slopes of the Sierra del Moncayo that
offer excellent drainage. Red wines predominate and are produced from Garnacha,
Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Cabernet Sauvignon. White wines account for less than
10% of production. The DO is currently producing many clean, well-made wines
that are a good value, but its export numbers are still small. For more
information see: www.campodeborja.com. Los
Dos Barrica is sourced from
45-year old Garnacha (85%) and Syrah (15%) vines that are planted far apart
(only 800-840 vines per acre) because of the poor soil. They are not trellised,
but are planted in the bush method with very short shoots yielding a miniscule
1.28-1.44 tons of grapes per acre. After 15 days of maceration and fermentation
in stainless steel at a relatively warm 82 degrees, the wine was aged in French
oak barrels for three to four months. The resulting wine has a relatively modest
13.58% alcohol and shows an intense violet red color. On the nose, a
predominance of red and black berries mixes with touches of toast, vanilla, and
coffee. Velvety and voluptuous in the mouth, the soft and sweet tannins lead to
a smooth finish. It works exceptionally well with barbecued foods.
Try it with tapas such as Pinchitos
Morunos.
The winemakers are Spaniards Javier Vela, Fernando Ballesteros, and Javier
Baselga, but this
winery is actually part owned by our neighbor Winebow
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