Weekly Winedown #27 Carta Roja Crianza

Welcome to the Weekly Winedown. Each week I selflessly drink wine for you and offer a review.
Please don’t expect anything professional, I consume a lot of wine but I’m no pro.

The only real ‘rule’ I’m putting in place is that the wine is to be under £8 a bottle. #keepitclassy.

It’s happened.
It’s finally happened, it’s been a long time coming but by heck it was worth the wait.

December is here!

The children were really giddy when they woke up as Advent had begun.
I asked Aoife why Advent was important, she mumbled something about family, her birthday and chocolate.

Priorities.

Still, I’m glad family topped the list – just.

I have finally caught up with myself, it snowed yesterday and I made about 100 biscuits on Wednesday so I am definitely in a festive mood.
Life is feeling very cheery at the minute..

This festive spirit clearly made me leave my senses elsewhere when ordering my wine this week.

Let us say Hola to Carte Roja Crianza, a Spanish beauty(?) currently half price at £4.99.

 

The Label

Red and gold. I guess it’s aiming for a plush and posh kind of vibe. Like a throne or something equally as regal. It’s a nice colour scheme to be fair but the paper feels a bit cheap. The label is nothing to write home about.
I’m down on this one already aren’t I?

The Blurb

Carta Roja is made traditionally from Monastrell and Syrah grapes which produce rich and intense wines, it is full-bodied with red fruit aromas and intense flavours of ripe plum and vanilla. Aged in American oak barrels, this wine has soft, smooth tannins. It makes a fantastic partner for game and lamb dishes and also hard cheeses.

Plums, vanilla and intensity.
Well, that sounds nice doesn’t it? Maybe I have been a little hasty…
The only thing I would maybe like bit of spice as well.
I guess I can’t have it all!

Also, a great partner for game? I am currently reviewing Don’t be a Donkey.
Should be perfect!

The Verdict

Meh.

The red berries are tart, there is a smooth peppery finish which isn’t entirely unpleasant.
Plum and vanilla have completely passed me by.
From the promises it makes and the tastes it has I would hope for something ‘bigger’. It is a very thin wine.

Had I paid full price of £9.99 for this I’d be kicking myself.
For a £5 wine it’s ‘OK’ though.
Just OK.
You can get a lot better for a fiver.

Don’t rush and get it for Christmas!

Name – Carta Roja Cianza
Price – £4.99 (should be £9.99)
Colour – Insipid red.
Smell – Muted.
Taste – Bitter with a peppery finish.
Goes well with – Come back to me on that
Overall score – 2.5/5 Painfully average.