Alko: Finca Moncloa 2006 by Gonzales Byass (Spain, Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz)

Here is an unexpected red blend from the region of Jerez! Jerez being the spanish name for Sherry.

First, a bit of context. Cadiz is right in the middle of the region producing Jerez, it is truely its capital. Jerez is a very old and very famous type of wine, the most typical being the Fino. These wine have the originality of being made through a slow and very long oxidation process in barrel under the « flor » which is a veil of yeast. The same process is used to make Vin Jaune in Jura (France). These are the only wine in the world made this way. The result are very powerful and typical wines, they smell nuts, smoke and they offer often a strong minerality.

You can imagine that these wines are not really the one wanted by the consumer and therefore a deep crisis is surrounding Jerez. If you want to taste this type of wine, you can access a couple of them at Alko (here and there but pay attention to pick only Fino or Manzanilla, maybe Amontillado but not Olorosso or Cream…etc… which are not original Sherryt).

Facing this deep and long-lasting crisis, producers started to produce dry wines. This wine is an example of a dry red, blended from Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah (Merlot and Tintilla de rota in small proportion).

Finca Moncloa 2006 is made by Gonzales Byass, a important producer of Jerez. As I said, it is a blend of mainly international grapes. The result is much better than expected and shows a clear originality. You don’t get the usual cassis and spice expected from the association. The nose is composed of fruit blended in very nice oaky fragrances. Nothing too strong, nothing too fake. The mouth is fresh, pleasant, rather on the fruit side with blueberry and raspberry. You don’t feel any overripeness. This is well made only a bit short in the mouth. Not to age nor to be decanted.

Wineops’ rating: 79/100 ; 0 0

A filling, powerful and yet fresh wine that I advise strongly to taste. It will fit gazpacho and meat dish (if possible slightly spicy).

Alko’s page: HERE

Finca Moncloa 2006 (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Tintilla de rota) by Gonzales Byass

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