##For this month’s article we have chosen to look at the current vintages available from Finca Collado, http://www.fincacollado.com, a bodega of reference in DOP Alicante and specifically in the Vinapolo town of Salinas in the interior.

The bodega was re-launched under the ownership of Agro-Castello in 2008 and initially produced a white from Chardonnay and Moscatel and a red from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Over time and under the guidance of Joan Guia, their wine-maker and manager, new wines have been added to their output and the ‘Original’ red is being phased out.

Some of the original vineyards have been grubbed up and replanted and the bodega is moving to produce more wines from Monastrell, a variety which works incredibly well in the very special soils of the valley, which slopes down from the bodega towards the town of Salinas and the Roman period salt pan. Apart from the new plantings, the bodega has several parcels of old vines.

Finca Collado Blanco 2019 Chardonnay/Moscatel, Finca Collado, DO Alicante 12% ABV… the new vintage of this white wine, which is ever popular. The bodega has replanted its Chardonnay vines as the yield was declining yearly as the soils were too chalky. Now a blend of 65% Chardonnay with 35% Moscatel, the Chardonnay is fermented in barrel and remains on its lees for 2 months. The Moscatel is fermented in stainless steel and the two cuvées are blended before bottling.

Pale yellow, clean and bright. On the nose fresh, white flowers, notes of apricot and green apples and pears. In the mouth fresh, intense, nicely balanced fruit, clean acidity and as usual hints of citrus, grapefruit and orange in a long finish. This wine is capable of ageing for 8-10 years and when young is a perfect marriage with Indian cuisine.

Finca Collado Rosado 2019, Merlot/Monastrell DO Alicante 12% ABV.
The Merlot is an original planting and produces fruity, quality wines every year. It makes up the majority of the rosado with a little free run juice from Monastrell, which has a short period in oak before being blended with the Merlot and bottled.

The wine is fresh, fruity and has a marked note of minerality and salinity in the mouth, which makes it a perfect match with both Paella Valenciana and seafood rice dishes.

Finca Collado, Syrah / Monastrell 2018, Finca Collado, DO Alicante 13.5% ABV
This is the new vintage of this fruity red wine, which is designed for easy drinking. The wine is made by the Syrah (85%) being macerated and then stabilised in barrel and then blended with Monastrell with a high extraction to give greater depth. Medium intensity red with violet flashes. Intense pure fruit on the nose, Raspberry and blueberry with a touch of coffee and vanilla from the short period in wood (2 months in American oak).

Full of flavour but at the same time on the light side, intense and honest with a moderate acidity. A quaffing wine to enjoy with friends.
Finca Collado, Flor Merlot 2015, Finca Collado, DO Alicante 14.5% ABV.

Seven-day maceration in tank with regular smooth pump-overs. After this the natural free-run juice is separated from the skins, which go the press separately. This ‘sangrado’ is pumped to American oak barrels to undergo second fermentation and crianza. This is a step-up from the first Merlot-aged in a ‘cone’ shaped barrel and introduced in 2009.

Medium intensity plum coloured wine with cherry notes. On the nose high intensity, blueberry and blackcurrant fruit notes, cherry pie, and light spicy notes on the nose. Rich, fruity and expressive on entry, full bodied with polished tannins, it has good length with a medium acidity, and afternotes of fruit, spice and has something ‘delicate’ about it.

Finca Collado 2017 Fet a Má Monastrell/Cabernet Sauvignon, Finca Collado DO Alicante 14.5%ABV.
80% Monastrell with Cabernet Sauvignon is the blend in this wine. The Monastrell is from 40 year old vines grown in ‘goblet’ from Salinas and the Cabernet Sauvignon. After maceration, the varieties are mixed before fermentation in second and third use barrels with a 12 month crianza. Intense deep colour but without having reached saturation. On the nose complex, balsamic notes and fruit, liquorice and coffee. In the mouth silky on entry, full of flavour on the pass, mature tannins and in the finish just a light acidity with the balsamic notes, which give it balance. Superb wine with a long life.

The bodega produces two pure wines from Monastrell but only in very good years. The first is ‘Delit’ and the top wine is ‘Vi de Sal’, which is sold only in Magnum format currently. Both are deep red wines from old vines and are for long ageing.

Well worth a visit, which can be arranged with Elena who works at the bodega… and will arrange a package to suit your requirements.

RIKI WIGLEY & MARIAN DARÁS

VÍ Vid is a project supporting the development of wine knowledge and gastronomy in the Valencian Community. We run wine clubs, give tastings of Valencian wines in English and support wine-makers and bodegas directly. We can be found in Instagram (Vivid8402), and through our blog VÍ Vid at https://vvidblog.wordpress.com, in Facebook, https://www.facebook.comVivideventos and in Twitter @vividvinos.