Albae Merlot Crianza 2015

The first red wine of the Bodega Albae wine tasting at TomeVinos Barrio Salamanca. This is made from 100% Merlot and is matured in French oak barrels for 6 months. According to the representative from Bodeg Albae it is difficult to work with this grape in Castilla La Mancha due to the heat which produces thicker skinned grapes and wines with higher tannins, so it is harder to produce a balanced w8ne fr9m the one varietal.

This wine is a very pale ruby red colour with a medium intensity scent of red berries and a bit of plum. There was also a slight vegetal scent.

It is a dry wine with medium to high tannins, a medium body and finish. Between the tannins and the acidity I struggle to taste anything else. I do get a spicy sour flavour. others in the group spoke of wood and fruit and the guy from the bodega called it ‘goloso’ which to me translates as a heavier wine.

After it had been open for a while I started to sense the wood and a hint of fruit underneath but it remained to tannic for my tastebuds.