90 Points
 

A deeply colored garnet with a cherry red rim. The nose is intense, dominated by red berry with highlights of mountain herbs, smoke and vanilla. Flavors on the palate are restrained and elegant, the ripe roasted fruit is complemented by toasty oak and a hint of mineral on the finish.
-Kim Clougherty

 

Type of wine: Red Wine
Alcohol: 13.5%
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo
D.O.C.: Penedès
Winery: Loxarel

Additional Information

The Loxarel estate is located in the Penedès region of Catalunya near Barcelona. Since 1994, Loxarel has been managed by Josep Mitjans, widely recognized as one of Spain’s most innovative winemakers.  Josep is the fourth generation of the Mitjans Family to carry on the winemaking tradition at Masia Can Mayol.  

 
Loxarel’s winery seen in the distance through the vineyards.

Loxarel has just under 200 acres of vineyards.  The climate in the Penedès is mild with intense sunshine, moderate rainfall and gentle winds. The Pyrenées protect the region from cold northern winds while the warm Mediterranean to the south tempers the climate.

The soil is fertile and primarily composed of a mixture of clay, limestone and granite. Vineyards usually thrive without having to struggle too much on the hillsides and valleys of the Penedès. However, the region has been suffering from a drought so severe that the city of Barcelona has had to import water from Tarragona and Marseille! The drought has impacted the wine industry as well, reducing yields up to 20%.

Ops is made from vineyards in the Alt Penedès. The grapes are vinified in underground tanks for 22 days. A portion of the Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo) is aged in French Limousin oak barrels for six months before the different lots are blended and bottled.