Casa Abril Selections Are Flying Off The Shelf at Zacky's by Philip S. Kampe

If you like wine, one of the best wine shops in America is located in Scarsdale, New York, not far from the Big Apple.

On a recent visit to Zacky’s, I asked one of the salespeople, ‘what are some of the hottest wines that you sell?’ and this staffer led me to the Spanish wine area and pointed to two bottles, each with handsome labels-both were whites and both were Casa Abril Selections, named after April Cullom-a wine personality and a woman who is devoted to all things from Spain.

I learned that the white wines from Casa Abril Selections small portfolio are hand selected and crafted in D.O. Valdeorras and D.O. Ribeiro (Galicia).

Casa Abril Godello 2014 (D.O. Valdeorras) is produced at a small family-run farm tended to be Alvaro Vidal. The up to 40 year old vines are planted in granite, slate and alluvial soils. The fruit oriented wines, all made without oak, result is an impressive, terroir driven, aromatic wine-full of acidity and balanced ripeness, focusing on ripe peach and tangy apple flavors.

Alma de Vino Mar y Montana (D.O. Ribeiro) is made from Treixadura, Torrontes, Godello, Albarino and Loureira grapes.  Hot summers with cool nights in this micro-climate allow the grapes to ripen expressively, creating silky fruit, balanced acidity and minerality from this sustainable and non-oaked creation.

Both wines were great, affordable and ones that are not on everyone’s radar.

It looks like the staff at Zacky’s knows what they are talking about.

As an aside, Sergio Gonzalez-Tornero, April's uncle, resident artist in Mahopac provided the artwork for the Alma de Vino labels.

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com 

Casa Abril Selections: Casa Abril Coupage (La Mancha) and Alma de Vino (Ribera del Duero) are 'Unveiled in America' by Philip S. Kampe

                              Casa Abril Selections: Alma De Vino and Casa Abril

The long awaited and anticipated selections of wine guru and personality, April Cullom, were recently unveiled to me in New York City. Known for her exceptional palate and positive personality, Ms. Cullom proudly displayed the beginning of her (future) wine empire, with the emergence of the 2013 Casa Abril Coupage and the powerhouse, old vine tempranillo, 2011 Alma De Vino.

After sampling the old vine Tempranillo (80-100+ year old vines) 2011 Alma de Vino, I knew April was onto something extremely special. Yes, the vines are old. Yes, the vineyard is located  in the northeast corner of Ribero del Duero. Yes, the altitude exceeds 3,000 feet. And Yes, the grapes are harvested from the best plots. "All of this adds up to an exceptional wine, especially the 2011 vintage", according to winemaker Cesar Munoz.  By choosing specific parcels of grapes, the wine, Alma De Vino, will express to the consumer how special this terroir is "I am extremely proud of the 2011 vintage".


                         

                             Only 1,000 bottles of 2011 Alma de Vino were produced

April Cullom's mantra is that 'Alma' is more like the joined 'souls' of April's aunt and uncle, which is used as her inspiration along with the 'soul' of the vines. Her aunt, Adrienne Cullom, met her future husband, the label's artist, while on school scholarship in Paris. The artwork on the label was created by April's uncle, Sergio Gonzalez Tornero, whose family is originally from Najera (Lograno, Spain).

The connection between the label and Casa Abril's wine is 'Soul' (Alma in Spanish), expressing the 'soul' of the wine, place and people who are full of passion. Many people buy wine by the look of the label. This label does speak to the consumer. It speaks of style, boldness, structure and elegance,much like the wine itself.

Speaking of the wine, I found soft tannins as the wine explodes slowly and gracefully on your palate. As the Tempranillo grapes open up, acidity and minerality take over your senses. Twenty four(24) months in new (25%) and used (75%) French oak barrels pay off. Priced at $38, Alma de Vino is a true bargain.



                                                   2013 Casa AbrilCoupage
                                                   10,000 bottles produced

There is no doubt in my mind that when a wine is named after you, as in the case of Casa Abril (the house of April), chances are that a lot of patience, time and love went into each bottle. Aged in French and American oak barrels for five months, 50% new and 50% used, this blend of 40% Tempranillo, 40% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon introduces you to La Mancha. Families talk about how long they have been on their land. In this case, the vineyard has been in operation since the 17th century. Presently it is run by the Barreda family, along with winemaker Marc Gomez.

The 30 year old Tempranillo vines are perched at 3,200 feet, while the 15 year old Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon vines are 400 feet below. All of the vines thrive on harsh winters and Death Valley summers. In the summer, with hot days and cool nights, known as a Continental climate, the tannins soften, the concentrated fruit balances, while the acidity is retained in the grape.

La Mancha has the perfect terroir for Casa Abril Coupage, a wine that shines with food. Like Chianti, the pizza wine, Casa Abril is the perfect, medium-bodied tapas wine.
For $13, you can't find anything better.

Both wines are available at Social Wines Boston and at Acker Merrill, K&D Wines and New York Vintage in Manhattan. Both the Chicago and the Florida markets will carry the wines in due time. If you are not in Boston or New York area and want to sample the wines, why not call one of the wine shops and see if they can send the bottles to you.
It's worth the effort.

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com



                                                     

                                         The author, Philip S. Kampe, and #Winelover