2021 Carro Tinto, Yecla DO, Murcia, Spain (750ml)
About the Icons
A Monthly Wine Club Selection
Señorio de Barahonda is the oldest winery in the Yecla DO region of Spain. Its history dates back to 1850 when Pedro Candela Soriano began producing and selling small amounts of wine locally. However, it was in 1925, when Antonio Candela García inherited a small production facility, that the winery was officially founded. Today, his two sons, Antonio Jr. and Alfredo manage the winery and the family estate, drawing on the knowledge and traditions that have been handed down through the family for the past four generations.
The Candela family owns 340 hectares of vineyards in Yecla, one of only a few wine regions in Spain that has remained unaffected by phylloxera. Their vineyards are in the Campo Arriba district at over 2,300 feet elevation. The higher altitude results in cooler temperatures than neighboring regions, making wines that are brighter and more aromatic. The soils are deep and have good drainage, and are composed of limestone and chalk with clay and gravel subsoils. The clay subsoil retains water, which is essential for the health of the vine in this arid climate, which receives a mere 8-10 inches of rainfall each year. The vines are organically grown, and range in age from 35 to over 100 years old.
The 2020 Carro is a blend of 50% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 25% Syrah and 25% Merlot. Each grape variety was harvested separately in small boxes during the cool morning hours, before being de-stemmed and crushed. The temperature during fermentation was kept to a medium level (about 77 °F) to extract more tannin from the skins. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and aging for three months in stainless steel tanks before the different grape varieties were blended, and then an additional 3 months before bottling.
Deep garnet. Inviting aromas of fresh dark berry fruit. The palate is juicy and bright, with loads of freshly picked blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry fruit. Wonderful texture and a long, fruit-laced finish. Simply delicious and dangerously approachable, this lip-smacking, affordable little red really overdelivers!