Advent Wine Datça Grand Reserve
My homemade Advent wine calendar consists of two case-sized boxes. About two months ago I pull 26 wines from my collection and put them in these boxes. Every day I plan to pull out one wine in the morning (in case it’s white and requires chilling!) and at some point during the day drink, write, and post about it!
I visited Datça Bağcılık ve Şarapçılık…must be a year and a half ago now? This last year feels like so much lost time that I have a hard time counting it. The winery is located on a peninsula of the same name (Datça) in Turkey’s south Aegean region. Unfortunately their wines are not so available in Istanbul so I took the opportunity of the visit to buy a bunch. Most of which I have already enjoyed! I’ve been waiting for a special occasion to drink the 2018 Concours Mondial Bruxelles gold medal-winning Grand Reserve. Adding it to the Advent calendar struck me as most appropriate!
Datça Grand Reserve, 2014
The wine blends together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Öküzgözü, and Boğazkere from the winery’s home vineyards. Oak-aged for an indeterminate period of time.
Appearance: intense ruby
Alcohol: 13% abv
Nose: Charred wood smoke, forest, forest underfloor, lilac, eucalyptus…really it smells like the wooded back 40 at my parents’ place. Earthy and floral perfume with a dash of black pepper.
Palate: Elegant and smooth with medium, silky tannins and mouthwatering acidity. A hint of chocolate carried by the tannins enriched the earthy floral profile while redcurrant and rhubarb added a tart note.
Went so well with pan-fried lamb chops with fresh thyme and braised garlic and leeks.