La Bodega de Pinoso "1932 Alta Expresíon" Tinto Ecologico 2006, D.O. Alicante.

Color: very dark and intense red with some browning in the rim.
Nose: expressive, warm, intense, rich, luscious, creamy with loads of spicy and sweet, toasted oak, nuances of smoke, butterscotch, spices, fruit, minerals, a hint of tobacco and balsamic nuances. The wood still dominates, but maturation impressions are already creeping in. Impressive New-World prestige style.
Taste: very intense, powerful and round, with lots of beautiful wood, vanilla, caramel, roasted coffee, smoke, spices, minerals, fruit, alcohol, but with good and strong acidity providing length, balance and even some elegance, deep and complex, impressions of tobacco and ripe, black fruit start to emerge from the cloak of wood aroma's. Very "Prestige style", easy to drink character, very well balanced.
Finish: long, intense, very smooth, with impressions of wood, vanilla, smoke, roasted coffee, juicy fruit, spices, freshness, length and a very good balance.

- This wine is produced to celebrate the 75 years' anniversary of the Bodega. From the best vineyards and oldest plots Monastrell vines severe grape selections were made. Careful vinification and maturation in new oak barriques resulted in this modern, New World styled wine. I personally prefer a wine with less oak, but the intensity  of the wine was so good the wine and fruit are not "lost" in the wood. A little bit less would have exposed more complex fruit, but this wine still is very attractive and fashion is not always a bad thing, as long as you can appreciate and enjoy it.

The 1932 is made of "Old Vine" Monastrell grapes. The Monastrell (called Mataro in the New World) is not an easy ingredient if you want to make supple and soft wines. It is loaded with strong and fierce tannins. It is at least closely related to the French Mourvèdre (Bandol) grape, but has great fruit potential and can provide richness. These are always strong wines with good structure and extract, strong color and also a very spicy character in young wines that turns into more balsamic nuances after aging.
The regional (very hot and dry) climate is kind to organic viticulture as one can taste in other wines of this producer: the dry white Vermador and red Vermador, both are not a middle of the road wines, they are a statement of dedication, quality and respect for terroir.
The Spanish seem to do the right thing when it comes to wine making. Huge investments were (and are being) made in the wineries and vineyards with impressive wines as a result. La Bodega de Pinoso is a big cooperative producer to watch closely, since vintage 2006 several wines have made enormous progress. The style is more aimed at the demanding export market, before 2006 the local and Spanish market dictated the style: more sturdy and strong wines crying out for rich dishes. Now various wines are produced that easily can compete in style, quality and price with those of the New World. They still are unmistakably Spanish in style which is a very good thing these days: preserving the precious identity that makes wine so fascinating and enjoyable. Other non-organic brand: Torre del Reloj.

- lotnr.: unknown

- tasted: 12-11-’08

- estimated retail price ca. 15,00 euro

- average production: unknown

- La Bodega De Pinoso, Coop. V., Mrs. Katerina Prazakova, Paseo de la Constitución 82, 03650  Pinoso (Alicante) ; tel.: +34-965 477 04 ;  fax.: +34-966 970 149 ;  mobile: +34-620 341 237 ; e-mail:  dptocomercial@labodegadepinoso.com ;  web site: www.labodegadepinoso.com