members and guests enjoying pre dinner drinks

Care wines from Bodegas Añadas  in the DO of Cariñena are a firm favourite of Society members, having visited the bodega on two occasions in 2005 and 2010 on Society wine trips. It was therefore with much pleasure and anticipation that 68 members and guests assembled at Ca la Iaia on the 21st of April to enjoy a tasting of Care wines.   Añadas bodega was established in 2000, but has already gained a formidable reputation for the quality of its wines.   It has 1600 hectares of vineyard spread over four estates, growing Garnacha, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Moscatel at a height of between 500m and 900m above sea level.   In Roman times, in the 3rd century before Christ, Care, the original name of today’s Cariñena, was outstanding for its wine production.   The DO founded in 1932 is the oldest designation of origin DO  in Aragón and one of the oldest Spain.  The tasting was conducted by Juan Carlos who is the bodega’s Commercial Manager, Tony Cabban provided the translation..  Each course was accompanied by a different wine.   The cost of each wine, where it can be purchased and average score given by members is shown in the list of wines tasted in 2016, which can be found by clicking on “Wines tasted in 2016”.

We started with the Rosado Solidarity 2015 a 100% Tempranillo from the Pago Cadillos Estate.   A light pink colour (blush) with a purple edge, the wine has a nose of red fruit (strawberries and raspberries) aroma, with flowery tones and hints of creamy caramel.   On the palate the wine is full and fruity and has a well balanced and long finish.   It has an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 13% and costs 5.95€.

The second entrada of Carpaccio de Bacaloa was accompanied by a wine advertised as 100% Chardonnay,  but contains 10% Viognier to lighten it.   It is grown at an altitude of 600 metres and the two types of vines are grown mixed together.   After 18 hours of cold maceration with skins, fermentation takes place at between 15ºC and 18ºC.   The wine is a pale yellow with green tones that denotes its youth.   On the nose it is fresh and clean with aromas of green apple, pineapple and tropical fruits.   On the palate the wine is very fruity with a balanced acidity and has a long elegant aftertaste.   It has an ABV of 13.5% and costs 8.50€.

As the name suggests, Care Nouveau, the third wine, is a young 2015 wine made from 100% Garnacha.   Harvested manually and placed in boxes, a selection of the grapes is then made. The field work is carried out in the hottest hours of the day so that the grapes are at about 22-23°C.  Fermentation is by carbonic maceration, the grape is introduced whole (without stripping or crushing) in deposits, which remain saturated with carbon dioxide for 48 hours.   The wine is aimed at the young; it is a cherry red in colour with a purple rim denoting its youth.   It has clean aromas, with a fragrance of fresh fruits (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries) along with hints of banana.   The palate is full, tasty and very fruity.  Its finish is smooth, powerful and long. Costing 5.95€, it has an ABV of 13.5%.

The main course was accompanied by Care Roble 2014 which is 50% Garnacha and 50% Syrah.   A four day cold maceration takes place at 9ºC, followed by fermentation at 28ºC and four months in oak barrels.   The wine has an intense black cherry colour with layers of violet tones.   It has a complex nose with fragrant ripe red and black fruits.   On the palate the wine is powerful, perfectly balanced, full and intense with a long finish.   It has an ABV of 13.5% and costs 4.95€.

The final wine served with the dessert of a Mousse de Chocolate was Care Crianza 2013 a 70% Tempranillo and 30% Merlot blend from the Cadillos and Bancales Estates.   After fermentation at 26ºC, the wine is aged for 12 months in American oak.   The wine displays an attractive red cherry colour with purple hints.  It has clean and intense aromas of red and black fruits with a hint of spice.   With an ABV of 13.5% it is rich, powerful and elegant on the palate, has a long and fruity aftertaste and costs 8.75€.

A vote of thanks to Juan Carlos for the tasting, to Ca La Iaia for the excellent meal and for Tony Cabban’s translation was proposed by Vice President Paul Nicholls.

 

Diners enjoying the tasting

Text and photos by Gaby Ferenczy                                                                                                                                                                                                                   April 2016