2019 Finca Parera 'Fosc'

Region: Penedès < Catalunya < Spain
Grapes: Sumoll, Garnacha, Ull de Libre, Syrah
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Demeter certified organic and biodynamic; limestone/clay soil; fermented in concrete; bottled unfined/unfiltered with no added SO2; 13% ABV
Winemaker: Rubén Parera

NEW VINTAGE ALERT!  From the coastal region of Penedès, south of Barcelona, Rubén Parera is making some of the best crushable, zero-zero wines we’ve come across.  We first met Rubén at a natural wine fair here in the Bay Area, and were immediately smitten. In a sea of faces, his stood out – brimming with enthusiasm and a big grin that stretched from ear to ear, despite jetlag and most likely a raging hangover. As he poured his delicious wines, some of the best we found that day, we learned the story of Rubén and his father, Jordi, who worked together to convert their entire family farm, which also is home to almond and olive trees, a cherry orchard, and a vegetable garden, to organic and then biodynamic viticulture, finally becoming certified in 2013. It was only then that they bottled the wine under their own label. Their dedication to their terruno (terroir) includes maintaining native varieties like the Sumoll here, and then using only cement, clay and stainless steel in their cellar – no oak.

The joy Rubén exhibits when talking about his wine is also evident in this bottle beautiful chillable red. Pale ruby, almost like a dark rosé, the ‘Fosc ‘(which means shadow) is savory and textural with tart red fruit and an exotic spice note anchored by chalky tannin and beautiful acidity. Chill it ever so slightly, and drink with abandon.