Description
For lovers of big, smooth red wines, El Bombero is (and has been for 30 years or so, a top choice, with legendary status. When it first appeared it won Golds galore and its rich medal history includes six Golds in the past 8 vintages – including one for this current vintage.
It comes from Cariñena. It’s hot and arid here. The sun beats down relentlessly like an iron bar and sun-loving grapes like Garnacha (the same as Châteauneuf’s Grenache) achieve amazing ripeness. The heat is important – the name Bombero actually means firefighter in Spanish. Ancient vines, hot summers and a lack of rain mean fewer grapes, which in turn means superb flavour intensity.
There are no fancy châteaux around Cariñena, but that doesn’t stop it from being home to some of the best-value red wines in the world.
Over the years, local legend Javier Domeque, has been the man behind Bombero, and he ensures El Bombero remains packed with spicy black fruit power and a rich warmth. Great on its own and a tasty choice for casseroles, full-flavoured pasta dishes, herby roast sausages and mash, and barbecues.
