#CoolDownWithCarinena
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Bodegas Paniza 2017 Viura & Chardonnay Agostón Cariñena12.5%
Named for the sturdy-looking wild boar on the yellow-green and black label, this light white’s packaging isn’t suggesting that you eat boar with this wine, but rather informing you of what the local boars prefer in the vineyard: Viura and Chardonnay.
The idea definitely translates into the wine with its forward, youthful grapiness and crisp-sweet appeal of super pure flavors. It tastes of cantaloupe, honeydew melon and Thompson Seedless grapes with a suspicion of sweetness on the attack followed by a fresh and fast finish. Served ice cold on a boiling hot day, this will offer broad appeal.
Drink: Through 2018
87
Grandes Vinos y Viñedos 2017 Garnacha Blanca Corona d’Aragon Cariñena 12.5%
This is a lovely expression of Garnacha Blanca with a vaguely floral nose sitting atop sublimely pure fruit flavors of Canary melon, white peach and green apple. Svelte on the attack with a lightly creamy sensation, this wine’s gentle acidity gracefully disappears into its seamless structure. This wine’s rather light body is almost betrayed by its pleasantly expansive palate feel. There’s a bit of pleasantly pithy tangerine peel on the moderate finish. This was closed and confected when I first opened it (possibly due to its synthetic cork?) yesterday evening, but today at noon it’s roaring at full blast, having been stored overnight in the fridge with just a stopper in the bottle.
Drink: 2018-19
87
Bodegas San Valero 2016 Garnacha Rosado Origium Cariñena 12.5%
Brightly colored, fully dry and plump with flavor, this wine is a crowd-pleaser. Strawberries, blueberries and sweet and savory spices crowd onto the palate, which is round, supple and easy. Everything is smartly integrated. There’s lovely vinosity backed-up with good refreshment and delightful moreish-ness. This is the kind of rosé I adore, and it’s a plus that the wine is much less expensive than many of the less interesting, pale, leesy and vaguely ripe pinks that are so sadly prevalent today.
Drink: 2018-19