Barahonda Barrica | Yecla 2007

PV Tasting Notes

This is a youthful purple in colour, ripe almost primary fruit aromas of red berries, cherries and dark berries complemented by smoked meat and bright mineral. Warm with lightly bitter cherry and dark chocolate flavours, round and fleshy, finishes persistent and sappy, with supple tannins and surprising brightness, this would be good with lamb or game. This is a very serious bargain basement priced wine, and if you’re not sure about the Grape Monastrell, or the style of wine it makes, I would liken it to a Pinot Noir on steroids but some people think it’s a bit like Grenache. Tasted Feb 2010

90 points Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
The 2007 Barahonda Barrica is a blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for six months in French and American oak. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a bouquet of cedar, spice box, scorched earth, blackcurrant, and blueberry. This leads to a dense, structured wine with savory flavors, an assertive personality, and 2-3 years of aging potential. It will be at its best from 2010 to 2017.
 

Why not match this with roasted lamb chops and roasted potatoes and a cognac mustard, or rack of lamb with a pecan crust, maybe a Turkish style lamb pizza, or spicy lamb taco’s, will also suit braised beef ribs, chilli con carne, grilled steak.

This family company was established in 1925 and has been growing and evolving ever since, latterly passing to Antonio Candela Poveda and his two sons Antonio and Alfredo. The company began in a small bodega (cellar) which has expanded over time according to capacity and technological requirements and now boasts a second winemaking cellar. Today Bodegas Antonio Candela forms part of the family group which also encompasses Señorio de Barahonda as well as Viña de Aliagar, the company which manages the family estates.

Senorio de Barahonda is the oldest winery in Yecla, now run by the fourth generation of the Candela family. They farm 840 acres in and around the town of Yecla in Murcia and the vineyards are planted at a height of 600 to 800 metres above sea level.