July 2018 Imported Wine: 2015 Bodegas Piqueras Black Label, Almansa, Spain
Fine Wine Source Wine
July 2018
Bodegas Piqueras:
Family owned and operated, the Piqueras family is now in their fourth generation to oversee the property since its establishment in 1915. The winery is located in Almansa, 40 miles from Alicante and the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards are located inside the Almansa DO which is characterized by its low fertility soils and low rainfall which together with the semi-arid climate combine to create the ideal conditions to produce richly aromatic wines of intense color and flavor. Bodegas Piqueras brings passion to their winemaking. They also take quality very seriously with every step of the winemaking process, and so they keep a close eye on everything. Having grown a lot in recent decades, they still pay the same attention to detail they always have over the generations, without losing sight of the mystique of winemaking that takes a good producer to convey. With state of the art equipment and technology to help with grape picking, pressing, filtration, bottling and labelling, The Piqueras family believe you really have to listen to the wine; to sense its development, to create the perfect blend from each vintage, they can’t rely on automated procedures. They have to be right there on the spot, alert in body and mind, to choose the precise moment to harvest the grapes and make the wine. To achieve this requires patience, being there, knowledge and a whole lot of passion.
About:
The Piqueras family believe that a good wine is born in the vineyard, which is why they carry out meticulous plant selection, careful pruning, monitoring of vine health and overall quality control. The family is the body of Bodegas Piqueras, but the heart and soul of their wines comes from fruit & land. The Syrah grape has adapted perfectly to the Almansa climate. It is uses it to make spicy wines that are full of color and flavor. The Monastrell grape, known as Mourvèdre in France, is one of Spain’s most important wine grapes, celebrated for its capacity to produce strong, tannic wines that can be high in alcohol. They vineyards are 30-35 year old bush vines which are dry farmed at 750-850 meters elevation in limestone rich, nutrient poor soils that see little rainfall. Harvest began in mid-September then vinification from spontaneous wild fermentation with gradual increases in temperature up to 29º C to obtain good color, and then a gradual decrease to 23 ºC to preserve the primary aroma of the fruit. Racking by gravity feed, 4-6 months in medium toast, fine grain American & French oak barrels (300L).
Varietal:
50% Syrah & 50% Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Alcohol:
13%
Tasting Notes:
Ripe red cherry, raspberry, crushed boysenberry, red plum and a touch of vanilla spice on the nose. Medium-bodied and deep in color with well integrated fine juicy tannins, persistent and soft on the palate with a silky fruit-forward finish.
Food Pairings:
Enjoy this smooth red by itself or with grilled, roasted or fried dishes, barbecued red meats, rice and pasta dishes, cured salted meats (jamón, chorizo) and semi-cured cheeses.
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts:
A spice box loaded with spicy flavors, sage, and fresh herbs; big intensity and flavor. Best served with lamb or beef.