Tomas Cusine Llebre 2019
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2013-
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Tomas Cuisine dramatically changed the winemaking at Castell del Remei when his family took over the estate in the 1980’s. Here, at his own estate, he is using these same progressive techniques, but with a very different microclimate. The grapes here are much later to mature than lower down in the valley. Maceration can take up to 25 days for some varietals and all are vinified separately. Tomas employs a partial ageing in oak for some added layers of complexity.
Castell del Remei is located in Western Catalonia in the D.O. of Costers del Segre, just to the west of Barcelona. A small winegrowing region, Costers del Segre is divided into six sub-zones and covers 3,886 hectares. Tempranillo is widely planted here, as is Garnacha, and as of the last 20 years, high levels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been planted.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
A wine region in Catalonia on the northeastern coast of Spain, Costers del Segre obtained DO status in 1986. Since then, the region has experienced many changes, including the addition of new international grape varieties alongside traditional native varieties, the adoption of modern California winemaking methods and the creation of sub-regions.
Both cooperative and private bodegas have incorporated these changes leading to a series of wines with great personal character and uniqueness. Some of them are considered among the most unusual in Spain, their styles based on thoughtful blending of local grapes with recently planted French varieties. And thanks to the climate and soil conditions, there is also plenty of potential for future development.
The principal white grape varieties of the region are Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Albariño, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The principal red grape varieties include Garnacha Tinta, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Monastrell, Trepat, Samsó, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah.