This is the first vintage of this wine and this winery. The first vines were planted in 2004, and the winery – located in Girona in northeastern Spain – was completed in 2008. They have just over 31 acres under vine and are surrounded by about 75,000 acres of woodlands. The grapes are all grown organically, and the acres of woods protect the vines from external pollutants.
This is a lovely wine that offers rich aromas – fruity and earthy. The palate is a nice balance of fruit and silky tannins. It has good concentration and length. The alcohol clocks in at 14% but the acidity prevents it from seeming hot or overly alcoholic. The wine is a blend of 33% Marselan, 33% Cabernet Franc and 33% Merlot.
Eccoci Winery has the distinction of being Spain’s first “Zero Carbon” winery. It received certification in 2010 because it “calculated and offset greenhouse gas emissions generated by its activities in 2009, according to the climate-care standards established under the ZeroCo2 initiative.” Interestingly enough, they have also planted their vines with a northern orientation because they want to compensate for global warming.
The acidity in the wine is very well developed because of the big drop in temperature from day to night. The wine is full bodied but well balanced. It’s a crowd-pleasing wine that will appeal to both modern (New World) and traditional (Old World) wine drinkers.
It runs about $30 per bottle and can be found at K & D Wine & Spirits at 1366 Madison Avenue; 212.289.1818.
Comments