Cabernet drinkers, don’t be fooled–this merlot-blend is not weak or wishy-washy.  This wine has plenty of dark fruit flavors and spice to make you happy.

The Vineyard: Named as one of the 10 best wineries in Spain, Cellar de Capçanes is located near the village of Capçanes in the Montsant Denominación de Origen (DO), 20 miles inland from the Mediterranean sea.  In 1933, the vineyard was started by five families as a village cooperative, and additional families joined over the next 30 years.  Because of its older facilities, the winery could not keep pace with the international market and in 1985 transitioned to only supplying grapes to other wineries.   This changed in 1995 when the Jewish community of Barcelona asked Capçanes if they could produce kosher wine under the most careful Lo Mevushal method.   Cellar de Capçanes now produces the best kosher wine in the world–Peraj Ha’abib, and offers a wide variety of other organic, young, kosher, and traditional styles.

The Wine:  Vall del Calàs is 50% merlot, 35% Garnacha (aka as Grenache in the USA), and 15% Tempranillo.  This is one of three organic wines the vineyard produces.  Garnacha, which is believed to have originated in Spain, is a perfect match for the long, hot summer growing season of Spain, and the vineyard’s Garnacha vines date back 40-85 years.

The wine is a deep red, with aromas of ripe dark fruit, wild herbs, and berries.  On the palate, you’ll notice dark fruit flavors, light vanilla, and a delicious spiciness.   The finish is suprisingly strong and lingers long enough to enjoy the spice and fruit flavors.  The wine is easily served from the bottle with no decanting, with or without food.

Wine Tip: If you enjoy the easy to drink Garnacha blends, look for other wines from the DO Monstant.  You might not have heard of this appellation, which neighbors Priorat, because it is relatively new.  The area has been praised internationally as a “great discovery” and “on the up”  with wines offered at reasonable prices.