Tasting February 2023
On Thursday evening at Javea Golf Club, we had an excellent tasting evening, attended by 51 members and guests, a really impressive turnout for this time of year. It was hosted by Sara and Neville Richardson. The wines were presented by Gonzalo Lainez, export manager for Principe de Viana Group, who own and distribute many excellent Spanish wines. He was supported by Jose Blasco, owner of Bodegas Blasco in Teulada. A fuller report on the evening will follow in the monthly newsletter.
We tasted five wines. All of the wines tasted were from the Clunia label. Whilst this producer is based in the lesser known wine region of Castillo y Leon, it is situated only 5 kilometres from the much better known (and expensive) region of Ribera del Duero.
Clunia began planting the vineyards in the 1990s when very few people believed in the potential of this unique terroir located at around 1,000 meters above the sea level. Despite the fact that it is a 70-hectare property, not all the land has been planted. Clunia’s owners are convinced that the best way to get to know such a distinct terroir is not to hurry, to give it time to show how it shines best.This is a winery to watch for the future. Today, they grow only 20 hectares of Tempranillo, Syrah, Albillo, and Malbec, though new vineyards are being planned. These will give a final figure of 32 planted hectares. They wish to do this slowly, to keep yields as low as they are currently a total of approximately 50,000 bottles a year are produced of their five wines.
At such a high altitude, surrounded by mountains that send their winds over the plateau, the vines at Clunia strive to survive the unrelenting weather, the harsh summers and extreme winters, and the considerable temperature contrast between day and night. Deeply rooted in sandy and clayey limestone soils with a good drainage, also limestone rocks depending on the vineyard, the vines must endure severe frosts, icy winds and scorching heat and search for their support deep in the soils.
When Autumn finally arrives and the end of the ripening period with it, the grapes reflect the effort of the vineyard, giving full-bodied, fresh, elegant, structured wines with a great aromatic concentration and ripe tannins.
Tesela Albillo 2021
A straw yellow colour with golden green hues. An every day drinking wine with elegant bouquet of apricot, pineapple, white flowers and fresh herb aromas, It has a good mouth feel, smooth, fresh pleasantly fruity. A good wine for an evening glass by the poolside on the family visits.
Clunia Abillo 2021
A really well produced wine, bright lemon in appearance with hints of green and golden hues. On the nose there are fresh fruit aromas of apricot, pineapple and grapefruit with subtle floral and herbal hints. Fresh and elegant on tasting, with an ample fruit palate and a long, lingering fruity finish.
Tesela by Clunia Syrah-Tempranillo 2019
Intense deep ruby red colour with violet hues. It has intense aromas of black fruit, blueberries, blackberries and ripe cherries, with subtle hints of cocoa. Well balanced with elegant tannins and long fruity finish.
Clunia Syrah 2017
Rated as one of the best Syrah/Shiraz wines in the world. Intense and bright ruby red colour. Complex and original, notes of black fruits, blackberry and red cherry preserve which combine to perfection with the hints of vanilla and tobacco leaves, toffee, eucalyptus. The palate is a true reflexion of the nose. The intensity of the fruit, together with the smooth tannins make this a pleasant, elegant, supple, harmonic wine.
Clunia Malbec 2019
This is an excellent quality wine. 5 months ageing in French oak barrels, including malolactic fermentation. Deep cherry red with deep purple hues. Intense aromas of black and red fruits and subtle mineral notes of spices. Blackberries, blueberries, plums with a touch of black pepper, complemented by the complexity gained from the fine ageing in barrels which perfectly integrates hints of toast and toffee to the bouquet.
