Updated: Apr 29, 2023
Deep ruby, purple-tints- tight rim-dense and weighty-dark-fruited(cherry, plums, truffle) and the once brooding and unyielding tannins turned velvety supportive after all these years. The palate offers a natural, elegant, with balance bringing spice, charming cedar, cardamon, and leather tones into the mix with an air of modernity and a combination of power and elegance. According to some, this wine is perfect for current drinking and will be cellar well for at least another four to five years. The ABV is right on, at 13.5%; the acidity is harmonious and balanced, with a pleasant finish.
The value of Certan de May is its style, reminiscing certain elements of Petrus in the form of power and richness with great eleganceAsas one of the three Certansthe bottles, it is particularly well-liked by critics and professionals for the unique nerve and minerality, alongside VCC for ripeness and Hosanna for power. It is unique because its fruit is from a single parcel of clay-gravel soils from 50-year-old vines (at the vintage time)! Production is mere 2000 cases. Grapes' composition is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon(for vintage 2006), broadly reflected in the blend of the end wine. Grapes are hand-picked; after vinification, the wine rests in 70% new oak for 18 months.
While quality cannot always measure through scoring, its scores are consistent and high, such as RP95.
Updated: Apr 27, 2023
Tasted Blind by Andreas Larsson, 2013 La Tour Carnet is 'Quite a ripe nose of roasted oak, dark berries, cassis, plum, smoke and delicate spices. The palate has pure and vivid fruit, rather good weight, is rounded and supple with fresh dark fruit and a long finish.'. So yes, 2013 is also in the classical style of La Tour Carnet.
James Suckling talked about the fullness and fine tannins. Wine Enthusiast commended the ripeness and fruity, rich tannins with a soft texture; and tight acidity, followed by a smoky, toasty character. Falstaff praised the floral nose, structure, and excellent mid-palate to go with food.
Experienced with vintages such as 2001, 2004, 2015, 2009, 2011 and 2012, we think 2013 has the potential. The blend aims at complexity(mix of 4 royal grapes) and generosity(higher merlot content): 60% merlot, 34% Cabernet, a dash of Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Deep garnet, tight rim, brick nuances. Clean and bright. Intense aroma, ripe black fruits(dry prunes and dates) and mineral, spicy and roasted notes, toasted-warm, balanced palate. Pleasant aftertaste. Monasterio, de las Viñas Gran Reserva, is a wine from the D.O. Carignan made by Bodega Monasterio de las Viñas. It's a blend of Grenache (60%), Tempranillo (30%) and Carignan (10%) from vineyards planted in a low vine plantation system. The vines are between 40 and 50 years old.
The harvest is carried out by hand in the morning to ensure the grape bunches stay fresh. They are subject to a cold maceration for 96 hours at a temperature of 6ºC—the wine ferments for eight days at a temperature controlled at 28ºC in stainless steel deposits. After the fermentation, the wine macerated for 15 to 20 days to extract its full potential. The varieties are aged separately. The Tempranillo and the Carignan age in French oak barrels and the Grenache in American oak barrels for 24 months. Using the best barrels the final blend is made, and the wine is bottled. The wine remains in the bottle for at least 36 months before entering the market.
