2014 Penya Cotes Catalanes 750 ml

2014 Penya Côtes Catalanes: Parker’s Best Bargain Red of the Year

The windswept hillsides of Languedoc-Roussillon have long given birth to the richest and most powerfully structured red wine bargains in the world. But having traveled the backroads from Montpelier to the outskirts of Perpignan for nearly 20 years, we’ve learned that while these two appellations are often separated by just a hyphen, the differences are far greater than most think.

The wines of Languedoc, generally speaking, are most similar to those of the southern Rhône, and in the cooler sections, to the Syrahs of the northern Rhône. The soils of the Roussillon however, are quite different, riddled with flaky schist. The wind howls off the Mediterranean, often topping 100 mph on hot summer days. Old-vine Carignan and Grenache struggle to eke out 2 tons per acre. Skin-to-juice ratio is high. The top wines tend to be dark purple in color, filled with black-fruit preserves, while still remaining light on their feet as the high schist content makes for low finished pH and vibrant acidity.

Due to the often-excessive summer heat, the most compelling vintages are usually the cool years, where there’s no risk of blistering or desiccation. 2014 — one of the coolest years in recent history in the Côtes Catalanes — was just such a vintage.

On the rugged soils outside the tiny village of Cases-de-Pène, just 30 miles from the Spanish border, Penya took full advantage.

Over the last decade, precious few under-$12 reds have earned raves from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. But in the case of the absolutely astounding 2014 Penya Côtes Catalanes, the Advocate couldn’t hold back, describing this luscious blend of old-vine Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah as “terrific” and “a rocking value” — before posting the rarest of 91-point ratings for wines at this price.

Vivid purple to the rim. Explosive aromas of black currant, violets, white flowers, and potpourri. Incredibly rich, concentrated, and minerally complex for a bottle at this price point, loaded with black fruit and black cherry preserves, sprinkled with white pepper, doused with kirsch, finishing with excellent persistence and penetration. Drink now-2018.

At just $11.99/bottle, the 2014 Penya is one of Wine Advocate’s Top 10 Bargain Reds of the year. Shipping included on case sales. But trust us this morning: This is a MUST-BUY for TWO CASES.