CorksCru Wine Merchants

Terra Remota (Catalonia, Capmany)

DO Emporda

When I first made the turn into the driveway at Terra Remota I almost immediately turned around and continued on my way. Staring at me was an Architectural Digest winery, very sleek and modern. This usually doesn't add up well for me, especially when many of the wineries I visit are situated in machine sheds or in the cellar under the winemaker's house.

But the little devil on my other shoulder convinced me to plod along. And I'm glad I did because this day was among the top 2 or 3 highlights of my recent buying trip. 

Terra Remota is a relatively new operation, begun in 1999 by Marc and Emma Bournazeau, a warm and welcoming French couple from just across the border in the Roussillon.They discovered the land, with absolutely nothing on it, about 20 years ago and over the subsequent two decades have turned it into the gem of the Costa Brava. There was no expense spared, and the results are just astonishing. 

The vineyards sit on a unique geography for the region, pure Granite. Most of the soil types in this part of Spain are clay and sand, but not here. And as such, their wines, especially when compared to their neighbors', feature unusual complexity, minerality, and structure.

I toured the vineyards and winery for almost two hours, all the while thinking to myself, "self, are these wines going to suck or will they really truly reflect all the capital that has gone into this place?" And, more importantly, will they be worth it?

Um, well, yes. The wines were magnificent. And, uh, yes. They're worth it.

Caminante is an unusual but wonderful white blend of Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc grown together on Terra Remota's unique granite soils and then aged for just a few months in older barrels before bottling. The proximity to the sea gives a sort of "salty air" quality to the wine. It ends up with the richness and viscosity of good white burgundy, and the refreshing-ness of a Loire white. Truly awesome stuff. 

Caminito is a fresh, pleasant rosé, ready for a warm summer evening. It's fine but also smooth, feminine, with aromas of wild strawberries, rose conserve, redcurrant jelly and a fruit salad of flavors and freshness coming one after the other to provide immediate pleasure. An elegant and extremely fine wine.

Camino is a gorgeous, silky, refined red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with fine dusty tannins. Good to drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 more years. I love this unique combo that feels a little bit Rhone, a little bit Bordeaux, and a whole lot of Spain.