A bit strange that this is a Spanish wine that is “elaborated and bottled” for Altovinum in Perpignan, France. And the label has no classification of what category of wine this is. It strikes me as a French hypermarché wine. The Liquor Board of Ontario Vintages catalogue states it is made by a Spanish co-operative but that marker does not appear on the label. One of life’s mysteries.
On the aromatic side of this 100% Grenache wine there is rich black cherry, cacao powder, kirsch and some brooding almost overripe strawberry. Laid back tannins make this an approachable sipper. Ripples of blackberry, red plum and a hint of black pepper. A perfect harmony of fruit and acids. Supermarket or not this is a very good wine which performs very well at its discount bin price.
Light enough to be sipped on the waterfront of Cannes or Marseille on a hot summer afternoon or if that is geographically challenging anywhere in the world where summer takes you. I often try and match a wine with food especially if it requires it. This wine is perhaps enjoyed on its own. Grenache is often more powerful but it could be that grapes grown at 2,400-3,000 feet on 100-year-old vines tame the wine and make it so amiable. An example how a wine can hide its 15% alcohol.
As summer will be arriving shortly in North America and Europe a good hot weather red wine due to its low tannic nature and its smoothness and its versatility for poultry, lamb, beef and grilled octopus. Great for entertaining with nibbles year-round. It will not improve in the bottle so best to consume by the end of the year.
(Evodia 2019 Grenache, Catalunya, Spain, $14.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 23914, 15%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 91/100).
If you draw comfort from a Robert Parker rating he clocks in at 90.
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