2023 Gil Family Estates Can Blau El Nen del Celler

Juan Gil, a family business founded in 1916 in the center of the city of Jumilla, is a champion of putting Jumilla on the map as a (top) wine region. This has led to several generations of winemakers emerging over the past decades to reveal the incredible potential of this region. True to its origins, Juan Gil has seamlessly blended tradition and the latest technology with respect for the environment. Juan Gil is also the maker of the famous Clio and the world-renowned El Nido. The Celler Can Blau project aims to develop a line of high-quality wines from indigenous grape varieties (Syrah, Monastrell, Grenache, Carigan). This cuvée bears the mark of Australian winemaker Sarah Morris – known for her famous autochthonous blends.

Can Blau's El Nen de Celler is a young red wine made from Garnacha, Cariñena, Tempranillo, and Syrah. The grapes from Garnacha vineyards planted on slate soils—also known as Llicorella—along with the Cariñena vines grown on clay soils and the Syrah and Tempranillo vines on limestone soils, were harvested on separate dates and vinified separately. After the different wines were obtained, a blending process was carried out to produce this very pleasant, fruity wine. You will certainly often see this wine in bars and restaurants in the Barcelona region and along the coast, as it is very popular there and therefore harder to obtain outside of Spain. In the glass, the El Nen de Celler has a cherry-red color with a garnet tinge at the rim. Intense aromas of red fruit, a pleasant entry on the palate with notes of black fruit and a light mineral touch. Long and persistent mid-palate with high acidity, resulting in a full mouthfeel. The price-quality ratio of this wine is unbeatable, and it is a shame that even we, as importers of Juan Gil, have so little of this delicious wine.