Tasting Notes
Bobal can be quite “rustic” at times, but Chozas Carrascal has managed to craft a supremely elegant example here. A fruit-driven nose of black plum, strawberry and anise. The palate is medium-bodied with subtle tannins and fresh acidity. The plum replays here, along with black cherry, tobacco and red pepper. This is best served with a light chill and enjoyed with backyard BBQ.
Bobal can be quite “rustic” at times, but Chozas Carrascal has managed to craft a supremely elegant example here. A fruit-driven nose of black plum, strawberry and anise. The palate is medium-bodied with subtle tannins and fresh acidity. The plum replays here, along with black cherry, tobacco and red pepper. This is best served with a light chill and enjoyed with backyard BBQ.
Varieties
Bobal is a dark-skinned wine grape variety native to Utiel-Requena. Thick skins, late budding and drought-resistance have made it well-suited to the dry, continental landscape where it makes its home. This under-the-radar grape is the 2nd most planted red wine in Spain (behind Tempranillo). Bobal wines are loved for their fruity flavors, soft tannins and velvety finish.
Bobal is a dark-skinned wine grape variety native to Utiel-Requena. Thick skins, late budding and drought-resistance have made it well-suited to the dry, continental landscape where it makes its home. This under-the-radar grape is the 2nd most planted red wine in Spain (behind Tempranillo). Bobal wines are loved for their fruity flavors, soft tannins and velvety finish.
Region
Chozas Carrascal is located in Valencia, in Spain’s Mediterranean east. A number of factors combine to create the special conditions at this estate. The property sits at 700m above sea level, approximately 40 miles (65 km) from the coast. Despite its proximity to the sea, the climate is decidedly continental, making for hot summers, cold winters and large diurnal temperature variations. The estate’s dry setting is somewhat offset by its limestone-rich soils, which importantly retain moisture. DO Utiel-Requena produces mostly red wines and nearly 95% of the vineyards are planted with red grape varieties.
Chozas Carrascal is located in Valencia, in Spain’s Mediterranean east. A number of factors combine to create the special conditions at this estate. The property sits at 700m above sea level, approximately 40 miles (65 km) from the coast. Despite its proximity to the sea, the climate is decidedly continental, making for hot summers, cold winters and large diurnal temperature variations. The estate’s dry setting is somewhat offset by its limestone-rich soils, which importantly retain moisture. DO Utiel-Requena produces mostly red wines and nearly 95% of the vineyards are planted with red grape varieties.
Vineyard
Chozas Carrascal has been daring in its viticulture approach, planting its vines at a density of 1,335/acre (3,300/ha), far denser than any vineyards nearby. This forces vines to compete for water and nutrients and drives yields down. The vineyards grow on a slight slope. Sunlight, cool coastal breezes and loamy, chalky soil all contribute to the quality of the wines produced.
Chozas Carrascal has been daring in its viticulture approach, planting its vines at a density of 1,335/acre (3,300/ha), far denser than any vineyards nearby. This forces vines to compete for water and nutrients and drives yields down. The vineyards grow on a slight slope. Sunlight, cool coastal breezes and loamy, chalky soil all contribute to the quality of the wines produced.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested and de-stemmed grapes are fermented in concrete tanks. Gentle pump overs are done three times a day to extract colour during fermentation. The fermentation begins with full oxygen, but the concrete eggs are sealed to oxygen during the final stages. The wine sees no oak before being bottled.
Hand-harvested and de-stemmed grapes are fermented in concrete tanks. Gentle pump overs are done three times a day to extract colour during fermentation. The fermentation begins with full oxygen, but the concrete eggs are sealed to oxygen during the final stages. The wine sees no oak before being bottled.