Cara Nord Negre

• Vintage: 2015
• Origin: Conca de Barbera, Spain
• Taste Guide: Juicy, rich and full bodied - oaked for just 6 months in French Oak. Dark cherry red hue with lovely blue, black and red berry nose and hints of forest floor. Elegant and as aforementioned full bodied juicy palate where the berry fruit flavours continue with plum and a hint of dark chocolate. This wine will cellar well for another couple of years yet - if you can wait that long!
• Varietal blend: Garnacha, Syrah (Shiraz) and Garrut (an indigenous varietal)
• Food pairing: We really enjoyed this at a BBQ but the following would also be fine; roasted or grilled pork, grilled pork, rump/sirloin/fillet steak.
• ACCOLADES: 90 points – 2015 Cara Nord Negre – Wine Advocate, 92 points - Peñín
• 75cl - 14.5% - Traditional Cork Opening

Cara Nord is a winery that was formed in 2012 at the hands of Tomàs Cusiné, Xavier Cepero and Eric Solomon, all with years of experience in the sector and interests in sustainable agriculture.
This wine is a blend of 42% Garnacha, 38% Syrah and 20% Garrut grown from vineyards surrounded by high mountains and forests belonging to the Natural Park in the Prades Mountains and the Natural Park in the Poblet Forrest.
The vineyards are isolated at an altitude of 800m, planted in slate soil and clay-limestone with rocky outcrops, cliffs and mountains.
The Mediterranean-continental climate is characterised by cold winters and short summers. The cold temperatures slow the accumulation of sugars, conserving acidity and providing very expressive and fruity bunches.
As for the vinification, directed by Tomàs Cusiné, it is fermented at 24ºC in stainless steel deposits in order to obtain maximum expression possible for the vines. Finally, Cara Nord Negre undergoes an aging for 6 months in French oak barrels.

I know we have said it before but this is another amazing example of a non-supermarket and rare wine that we simply love when we find them. If you like your wine juicy and flavourful, just buy a couple as the stock is almost certainly finite on this one. £13.55 @ vinissimus (2019) but just £8.99 here for an older vintage.