Pick of the Launches
Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine November edition.
Las Carlinas Old Vine Garnacha
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Brand owner Long Wines
RRP €9.99, £7.99, US$10
Markets Global
Contact info@longwines.com
Las Carlinas is made by Long Wines winemaker Fernando Mora from a small, specialist Garnacha winery in the DO Campo de Borja in Aragón, Spain, said to be one of the best areas in the world for sourcing low-yielding Garnacha at an affordable price.
The name for the range comes from the carlina, a star-shaped thistle pinned on doors to ward off evil spirits. It is a traditional symbol of protection and strength.
The grapes were sourced from low-yielding (maximum 4,400kg/ha) bush-trained vines of more than 25 years of age, grown on rusty-red ferrous and stony soil – typical of Aragón’s Campo de Borja region.
Produced from hand-harvested grapes, stored in concrete tanks with 20% aged in French oak barrels for added complexity, Las Carlinas Old Vine Garnacha is described as a “vibrantly aromatic wine with a particularly floral nose and lush fruit flavours, and elegant minerality on the palate”.