Celler Piñol Sacra Natura

Deep ruby. Pungent, floral aromas of licorice and blackcurrant aromas tinged by dried violet and mint. Deeply concentrated, chewy and focused, with blackcurrant fruit nicely framed by supple tannins and accented by tobacco and black cardamom. Finishes spicy, sweet and long, with a note of graphite and terrific lift from vibrant acids.

The 2005 Sacra Natura was produced from organically grown fruit. It is a blend of 35% Carinena, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Tempranillo aged for 6 months in French, American, and Hungarian oak. Purple-colored, the wine presents an attractive nose of light toast, mineral, damp earth, pepper, black currant and blackberry. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with plenty of tasty black fruits, ripe tannins, and good balance. Drink this pleasurable effort over the next 2–3 years.

I first experienced this wine at the cellars of Pinol in April of 2006. At its young age, the wine showed excellent quality, with full-bodied, deep, elegant and seamless fruit. I was very impressed and returned to the States with notes to buy this item. Two years later, it has only improved with age, showing bright and deep purple in the glass. Both Old and New World characteristics are present; sweet, deep fruit and warm spices emerge first, followed by mineral components showing pleasant terroir.