El Mago Rancio Solera 1928

Wine: El Mago Rancio Solera 1928

Winery: Epicure Wines
Appellation: D.O. Terra Alta
Varietals: 100% Garnatxa Blanca
ABV: 19%

Winemaking
Sourced from a selection of the oldest Garnatxa Blanca vineyards. Hand-harvested between September and October. The wine is drawn from the historic soleras of the Celler Cooperatiu de Vilalba dels Arcs, which date back to 1928. Extremely limited production of 150 bottles (50 cl). Bottle No. 000072.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: A beautiful light amber hue; limpid, brilliant, and luminous with reddish and topaz highlights. Not overly viscous to the eye, displaying medium legs.

 

Nose: An excellent exemplar of traditional rancio: powerful and deep, with a strong expression of dried fruits (nutshells, walnuts, bitter almonds), raisins, Turkish figs, and dried apricots. Notes of rosemary honey and weaver’s broom emerge over a soft, liqueur-like vanilla backdrop reminiscent of Catalan melindros (ladyfingers), neulas (wafer rolls), carquinyolis, and rossegons. Aromas of whisky cake, pastry cream, and dulce de leche complete the profile. This olfactory "artillery" does not overshadow the depth and age of the solera, which imparts immense complexity to the ensemble.

 

Palate: Intense, vibrant, and generous, showing a pronounced character of seasoned wood, toasted notes, dried fruits, and fruit in liqueur. Harmonious and elegant, it is bone-dry yet features flickering hints of sweetness that bring forth Christmas fruit, candied peel, marzipan, and dried figs. 100% gastronomic. A rancio faithful to tradition with enormous typicity. It is a dessert in itself—a wine that speaks of viticultural heritage and terroir. The Mediterranean in a bottle. It is no wonder these were the preferred wines of our grandparents. Fabulous.

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Score: 95

Tasting Notes (2012-04-02)

 

Appearance: Topaz-amber in color; clean and bright with reddish and orange highlights. Medium, persistent legs.

 

Nose: Medium intensity with the full character of a classic rancio. Notes of seasoned staves, fine cabinetry, and hints of vanilla emerge, alongside dried fruits (toasted hazelnuts, bitter almonds), "bizcocho borracho" (syrup-soaked sponge cake), fine vanilla, dates, and figs. Everything is very subtle, elegant, and sincere.

 

Palate: Broad and unctuous featuring a very smooth entry and an array of solera nuances and noble woods. These are joined by a complex web of honeyed sensations, together with almonds, hazelnuts, and marzipan. Dry, vibrant, and showing a slight, traditional rancio oxidation; expressive, with excellent acidity and almost no perceptible alcoholic heat.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 95