Acústic 2015

On the nose blueberries and mulberries, with the addition of a spicy accent. In the mouth smooth and well balanced, with a drying finish and an aftertaste that last long enough. It somehow reminds me of an Aglianico del Vulture I reviewed some time ago.

Acústic is a blend of 60% Samsó (Carignan) and 40% Garnacha (Grenache). Carignan if a grape variety most likely native to Aragon. It is used usually as an addition to red wine blends that lack body and depth of color. Carignan is only rarely made as a varietal wine.

The most famous wines in which Carignan plays a role are those from Rioja, where the grape is known as Mazuelo. In Spain the best Carinena wines are found in the Priorat region. In France Carignan was the most planted grape variety in the second half of the twentieth century, mainly in Languedoc-Roussillon region, but huge vine-pull schemes in the 1980s nearly halved the grape’s total acreage.

The Montsant DO was created in 2001, its name taken from the Montsant massif (‘holy mountain’) that dominates the region’s landscape. Montsant lies in Catalonia, west of Tarragona and forms a ‘C’ shape that almost completely surrounds the more famous Priorat region.

Acústic sells for 16 CHF at Coop. It is one of those pleasant wines without anything specific to neither praise nor criticise that offers a good price/quality ratio.

Country: Spain
Region: Catalonia
Grapes: Carignan, Grenache
Type: Red
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Acústic Celler
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5