Barel Bağları Gamay
Barel Bağları Gamay joins the (albeit limited) ranks of Turkish Gamays. Why this grape has suddenly become so popular is mystery – to me at least. But with at least five wineries suddenly released varietal wines or Gamay blends, it seems to taking off.
Barel Bağları
Barel Bağları was founded in 1997 with the aim of adding a little bit more taste to the life by the Akın family. While Barel’s name comes from the names of two siblings Elif and Barkın Akın brothers; the winery is in the hands of youngest of the Akıns, Barkın.
The Akın family made their own wine for family and friends years before they officially founded the winery. Barkın, who always had a dream to open a restaurant in his home town, studied gastronomy before settling on his family’s land in Trakya. As a wine lover he believes that you should be able to put a bottle (or two!) of wine on the table every night without breaking the bank.
Granted some of their wine prices are creeping up a bit…but aren’t they all?
Barel Bağları Gamay, 2019
If you’re not a fan of bold, full-bodied, super tannic wines, then Gamay is your grape. And I suspect you would really enjoy the Barel Bağları Gamay. Medium garnet fading to purple-red on a wide rim and a nose reminiscent of a jumbled up fruit and flower garden! Cherry and black raspberry aromas decorated with lilac petals around an earthy core and framed by black pepper. On the palate the fruits are juicy and joined by a hint of hard candy. The black pepper from the nose turns into a thread of white pepper. Clay pot and flowers come in for the earthy element as powdery tannins and a sneaky, creeping acidity help give the wine a solid medium finish.
Overall medium-bodied with 13.5% abv.
I haven’t been especially impressed with the Gamay here but this was really quite good. I would love to get another bottle but am having a difficult time finding it. If anyone sees it, let me know!