Celler de Capcanes (Spain) Lasendal 2003
This is a wine from the wonderful co-operative of Capcanes in Montsant, right next door to Priorato in northwest Spain. The co-op is well-known to regular visitors through its excellent value wines like Mas Collet, a former Wine of the Month. Here, old vines Grenache (or ‘Garnaxta’ in Catalan as it says on the label) is blended with 15% Syrah in a wine that is aged eight months in French and American oak barrels. The nose has an absolutely haunting smokiness and depth of plush, plummy fruit. There are elements of dark chocolate and tobacco, and little highlights of Thyme and wild, floral notes. On the palate it has a massive fruit presence, with a ripe, sweet, full palette of black and red fruit flavours, a delicious lick of mocha coffee, and plenty of savoury, supple tannins that are warming and chocolaty. With good acidity (especially given the warmth of this vintage) this is a terrific wine from a brilliant co-op, performing like a star estate. 9.66
