WTN: Maturana Tinta, or Trousseau from Rioja?
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:28 pmMaturana Tinta is a recently rediscovered grape of Rioja... on the other hand, if the Vitis International Variety Catalogue is to be believed, it may be the same grape as Trousseau (Noir). If anyone here has access to Jancis' latest volume on ampelography, I would be very interested to see if she says anything about this potential relationship.
If this particular wine does not immediately bring to mind any Trousseau that I have ever had (all from Jura so far - no Portuguese Bastardo, and nothing from California or Australia), then that could be a reflection of the soil and climate here, if in fact Maturana Tinta is Trousseau.
2009 Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha Rioja Maturana Tinta “Peña El Gato”
Nose of white pepper and dried herbs, with a bit of coffee. Full-bodied, with moderate acidity and smooth tannins. Earthy, with blackberry, licorice, and mixed peppercorn flavors; and some mint on the finish. Very good+, and quite reasonably priced at $20.
One final note: Sr. Sancha is no longer labeling his Maturana Tinta under the 'Peña El Gato' name. Looking at his website, the name 'Peña El Gato' seems to be reserved for some 95+ year old Garnacha, whereas the Maturana Tinta (and Tempranillo Blanco) are labeled as 'Ad Libitum' instead.
If this particular wine does not immediately bring to mind any Trousseau that I have ever had (all from Jura so far - no Portuguese Bastardo, and nothing from California or Australia), then that could be a reflection of the soil and climate here, if in fact Maturana Tinta is Trousseau.
2009 Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha Rioja Maturana Tinta “Peña El Gato”
Nose of white pepper and dried herbs, with a bit of coffee. Full-bodied, with moderate acidity and smooth tannins. Earthy, with blackberry, licorice, and mixed peppercorn flavors; and some mint on the finish. Very good+, and quite reasonably priced at $20.
One final note: Sr. Sancha is no longer labeling his Maturana Tinta under the 'Peña El Gato' name. Looking at his website, the name 'Peña El Gato' seems to be reserved for some 95+ year old Garnacha, whereas the Maturana Tinta (and Tempranillo Blanco) are labeled as 'Ad Libitum' instead.