EL NIDO 2010 CLIO
70% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet SauvignonThe Bodegas El Nido project is the result of the collaboration of the Gil Family, Chris Ringland (one of the best Australian enologists and author of Clio and El Nido) and others. The winery is located in the Valle de La Aragona, inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. The vineyards are 64 acres of old Monastrell vines, oriented northeast and all vaso or gobelet trained, and 45 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted 25 years ago on smooth hills looking north. For the last three to four years the “Clío” was the most in-demand Spanish wine at Hi-Time. It combines the lush, velvety tannins of Jumilla’s famed Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) with the pedigree of some rare old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon. Many of you know the wine-- we’re just reminding you it’s here. As far as a track record goes, Clío has scored in the mid-90s and up (94-97 points from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate) in six vintages since 2003-- we believe the 2010 edition is right up there with those vaunted, earlier vintages.
The 2010 Clío starts with a dark cherry red color. The nose is quite intense with dark cassis and comfit fruit mixed with sensations of toasted coffee and licorice; very elegant nose, good finesse. The palate is massive, chewy and filled with a panoply of dark fruits, leather, glorious spice and a touch of flambéed toffee. Very big but also very balanced, beautiful wine.
