Urla Nero d’Avola Urla Karası 2014
The name Urla evokes not only images of the Izmir district of that name, but also of Urla Winery whose Nero d’Avola Urla Karası I’m reviewing today. Established by Can Ortabaş some 15 years ago, Urla Winery sits smack in the middle of the Urla Bağ Yolu.
The Urla Wine Route
Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards currently located in this area people were making wine. Including, to name a few, the Ionians, the Persians, and the Romans.
When the subject is viticulture for wine production, Urla is one of the premier spots in Turkey. In the fertile soils of the region, besides internationally known grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, and Nero D’Avola; Anatolian varieties such as Boğazkere, Sultana and the local Bornova Muscat also thrive.
Urla Winery
From the district of Urla we return to Urla Winery. As with many wineries in Turkey, Urla cultivates a wide variety of traditionally French grapes including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Grenache, Mourvedre. Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. But then they step outside the box with Italian grapes Nero d’Avola and Sangiovese. Then come the native grapes! Urla not only cultivates Narince, Viognier, Bornova Misket, and Boğazkere but they are also experimenting with clonal selections of the latter two of these grapes.
Because that isn’t enough (!) through its grape studies Urla Winery has also resurrected several lost Turkish grapes, including the eponymous Urla Karası . And that brings to the review of the Urla Nero d’Avola Urla Karası.
Urla Nero d’Avola Urla Karası 2014 Tasting Notes
This is something of a daring wine from Urla. As the name suggests, it is a blend of the Italian Nero d’Avola and Urla Karası, one of the native Turkish grapes the winery has resurrected. Nero d’Avola is one of those grapes that’s so in your face: high alcohol, high acid, high tanning, and big fruit concentration. So how is a little known grape like Urla Karası going to pair with that? Pretty well as it happens.
It’s a bit greedy for oxygen. It loves it and wants more of it. When I first poured it the nose displayed a lot of tart red fruits. But the more it breathed the more the bouquet intensified finally displaying cocoa, grilled meat, wood smoke, cedar, and a hint of vanilla. Equally as seductive were the tannins-velvety and ever so slightly grippy. Mouthwatering acid balanced out the high tannins and high alcohol (15%) and really let you taste the tart fruits, chocolate, and tobacco.
I went through a few phases as I drank the Urla Nero d’Avola Urla Karası. At first I was a little turned off, it seemed to simple for both the quality I expect from this winery and for the grapes. Then I decided to be patient (not my strong suit) and let it breath and I was so rewarded for that. This is really a special wine.