Wine Review: Fábula de Paniza, Carińena DOP, Carińena Grape $6 90pts+

Wine Review: Fábula de Paniza, Carińena DOP, Carińena Grape $6 90pts+ QTPR (Quality to Price Ratio)

Overview: In a world where it is hard to find an inexpensive Pinot Noir substitute this may come close. Certain to please Barbera, Rioja, Chianti, Syrah, Cab. Franc and Cotes-du-Rhone Lovers. It packs a whole dried spice cabinet.

Comparable to: $18-$22 Monterey or Central Coast Labeled California Pinot Noir, $16-$20 Italian Barbera, $12-$16 Cotes-du-Rhone Reds.

Style: Medium-weight Pinot Noir-like in body with a lot of Italian Red Sauce and meaty notes like a Bolognese Meat Sauce.

Charactarcher: The Italian Grandma that won’t stop feeding you after your beyond full.

When to drink: With all things Italian Red Sauce, on a Picnic with charcuterie or cold cuts and with Sauced Beef or Pork Ribs.

Mass Appeal: 75% of Pinot Noir, Malbec and Syrah Drinkers will like it. 50% of Cabernet Drinkers will like it, 50% of White Wine Drinkers will like it.

Producer Story: Fábula means Fable. Bodegas Paniza is a cooperative of hundreds of growers in Carińena D.O.P. in the autonomous region of Aragon bordering France in the Iberian Mountains Foothills. Carińena is the region where the Carińena grape takes it’s name, (otherwise known as Carignan in French) and is where it genetically evolved. Grapes often are the best and truest to their natural character where they evolve.

Grape(s): Carińena in Spanish, Carignan in French

Flavors: Herbed red meat sauce, cranberry puree, raspberry jam, cloves, dried tobacco leaves, tamarind paste, black fig, cola, sassafras, whole cinnamon stick, strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, grilled watermelon with salt, grilling spices rub, prosciutto, dried oregano, dried briar patch, Chinese 5 Spice

Body 3 / 5
Acid: 3 / 5
Tannin: 2 / 5
Fruit: 4 / 5
Dried Herb/Spice 5 / 5
Stone/Mineral: 2 / 5
Vanilla/Oak: 1 / 5
Earth/Yeast: 2 / 5
Sugar: 0 / 5

Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Hard Sheep’s Cheese, Basque Cheese, Young Manchego, Farmer’s Cheese
Food Pairings: Pasta, Duck, Charcuterie, Parmesan Eggplant