Although it’s called ‘Garnacha Tintorera’ on the label, you might recognize the grape by another name, Alicante Bouschet. Created by Frenchman Henri Bouschet in 1866, Alicante is a crossing of Petit Bouschet and Grenache and is appreciated for its red flesh and concentrated flavors. These days, French winemakers are using it less and less, however Alicante is quite popular in Portugal, Chile, California and parts of Spain. Soplo comes from the Spanish region of Valencia, a 200 mile coastal strip of land right on the Mediterranean. Bodegas Rafael Cambra specializes primarily in the local mainstay Monastrell (Mourvedre), but Rafael wanted to try his hand at other grapes. Soplo (roughly translated as “a treasured memory that reminds us of life’s joys”) is made with 30 year-old Garnacha Tintorera grown at 3300 feet, where the best vines are subjected to extreme seasonal and diurnal temperatures for added complexity. The juice is aged for 3 months in old Frenc h oak barrels and 6 months in the bottle, and it’s ready to enjoy right now.
Flavor Profile: Fuller-bodied, dry. A fresh jammy nose followed by a palate of red & black berries and plums. The rich finish shows moderate oak and baking spice. At 13.8% alcohol, this will stand up to a variety of heavier foods. Pair with grilled pork sausages, BBQ, grilled chicken, and stews