65 members and guests gathered in the Punta Negra Restaurant to taste wines presented by the owner of Bodegas Arráez, Toni Arráez based in Font de la Figuera, in the province of Valencia. President Tim Fawle welcomed new members and guests. Matthew Kane from Casa del Vino Javea kindly organised this tasting but could not attend due to commitments at a US wine fair in Miami.
Toni Arráez explained that his bodega is celebrating 65 years on May1 and he is the third generation now managing the bodega. In the past 5 years a young team has been developed building upon knowledge passed on by his father and associates. Their philosophy is to develop excellent wines positioned to increase wine consumption and linking top quality innovative wines at attractive prices. He presented five wines, two white and three reds. Anyone wishing to purchase these wines can obtain them from Casa del Vino in their new shop premises at Avenida La Fontana 12, where members will enjoy a 5% discount.
The first wine tasted was Eduardo Bermejo Blanco 2014
This wine was 100% Moscatel from vines around 15 and 30 years old. Harvesting takes place at the beginning of August to ensure that the wine is not too sweet as the Moscatel grape tends to be. The result is a dry refreshing wine of a pale yellow and brilliant limpid colour with aromatic muscatel notes combined with fruity notes and providing a greater complexity. The palate is creamy and velvety and leaves a sweet sensation and fruit that invites you to drink another glass.
The wine costs €3.95 and scored 87 points in the Guía Peñín and Society members gave it an average of 84.6 points.
The second wine was Toni Arraez Verdil 100% Verdil grape, a variety that is only grown in the Mediterranean area. In fact there are only 3 or 4 bodegas that cultivate this grape. Vines are 30 years old and are harvested at the end of August at night. The colour is clear and brilliant with a slightly greenish tint. In the mouth it is large and tasty with good acidity that brings freshness and fruity sensations.
Toni Arráez presenting his wines
It costs €5.90 and it scored 87 points in the Guía Peñín. Members scored it 85.1 points
The third wine was a red wine Mala Vida Roble 2013. This wine is a blend of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo 13.5% volume. Toni explained that in the competitive wine market he wanted to produce a design label that was memorable ensuring that consumers remember it and can easily identify it on the wine shelves. Mala Vida means Bad Life, inviting you to try this wine and enjoy it, drinking reasonable quantities, one bottle or two. In fact it is the fastest selling wine in Valencia city.
Again, the wine is produced from vines 30 years old and is aged in French and American oak barrels. Appearance had a limpid aspect and cherry red, the nose has extensive and intensive aromas with notes of red fruit. In the mouth a very long persistence that invites you to drink more. The cost of this wine is €4.95 and scored 88 points from Peñin. Members scored it 84.5 points
The fourth wine was a red Vivir sin dormir 2013. DO Jumilla. As the bodega’s oenologist Toni has developed good working relations with several bodegas in the Mediterranean region. As a winemaker he also worked with Protos in Ribeiro del Duero and several bodegas in Rioja where he developed his winemaking skills. A particular innovation has been to work with a winery, in this case in DO Jumilla and produce a quality wine based on his skills and then market this wine from Bodegas Arraez.
This wine is an ecological wine and is 100% Monastrell. The area allows Monastrell to reach its peak and the ageing in American, French and Hungarian oak provide an excellent wine. The intense cherry red colour and aromas of red and black fruits, plum and raspberry provide a powerful and silky taste on the palate.
The label has been designed by the Valencian artist Eduardo Bermejo. The cost of this wine is €5.40 and scored 88 points from Peñin. Members scored it 86.9 points
The final red wine presented was Lagares 2012 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 13% Volume. Again this wine is produced from vines 15-30 years old and is harvested early in the morning in the optimum stages of maturity. After 3 weeks of maceration it is placed in American and French Oak barrels for 13 months and is bottled and rested for 8 months before its release.
The appearance is bright cherry red and has an intense aroma of ripe fruit combined with toasted notes and sweetness (vanilla, cocoa, coffee and hazelnut) of oak. In the mouth it has good volume and is rounded and has polished tannins. It has a perfect wood/fruit balance and a long persistence making it a flagship wine from this bodega. The cost is €7.85 per bottle with 90 Peñin points. Members scored it 89.6 points.
Summary of members scores.
Eduardo Bermejo 2014 84.6
Toni Arraez Verdil 2014 85.1
Mal Vida Roble 2013 84.5
Vivir sin dormir 2013. 86.9
Lagares 2012. 89.6
A vote of thanks to Toni Arraez and Alex Carreres was given by Committee member Hugh Epsom.
Report by Tim Fawle
Photos by Ted Floodgate