A poem inspired by a pair I’m particularly passionate about.
Look, the blend is a power couple. Spanish royalty. The energy of Barcelona’s nightlife, dancing until sunrise and then watching the earth wake with your toes in the sea.
A while back my refrigerator found itself with both a Chilean and a Spanish take on the duo. The years and winemaking styles are different, but this isn’t my first merry-go-round with the blend, so I decided to bust out both in a comparison exercise with a few fellow wine lovers.
Sabático 2014. Ah, a wine I know very well! I’ve poured this yum at Vi.no.so, RAW Wine and told all who will listen about it’s yum. The 2014 still had so much more life to give. The nose is rustic with plums, flowers, dark earth and some good ol’ farm stank. A fatally attractive acidity full of red fruit. The alcohol is a little too needy, but the juicy finish can deal with it. Baby is a workhorse. Can trudge through the sludge and stay by your side.
Llenca Plana 2017. Takes me back to that stunning sloped scenery…The nose is softer and more mineral with purple flowers, dark cherries and flint. See that slate. Feel that grate of acidity. A bright, balanced mouth with loads of cherry flavor. This love is a pet horse, not a show horse, but well-groomed and loved.
Monsant Wine Regin. Spain.
Garnacha and Cariñena. True love.
Llenca Plana you expect. Sabático surprises. When asked which one I’d pick, I’d say love the one you’re with.
