[Collaboration] Care and the Mystery of the Masquerade

In this third collaboration with Starboyjavi, I am delighted to present Bodegas Care as the leading star. I was truly thrilled and enthusiastic about creating this artistic proposal, the first within my home region of Aragón and my province, Zaragoza. Furthermore, I am captivated by their emblematic feature: the faces. Before going further, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Nacho Lázaro, head of Bodegas Care, for valuing this proposal so much and showing great willingness and enthusiasm to carry it out. Their spectacular range of product, in this collaboration that brings us together, is centered on garnacha grapes. Allow me to share my artistic experience, inspired by the nine bottles of garnacha white and red, and of course, the identity of Bodegas Care.

The Face Behind the Mask

The concept behind Bodegas Care evokes a sense of magic and mystery. As they explain, “Care” is the ancient name Romans used to refer to the city of “Cariñena” (where Bodegas Care is located), later transformed into “Caraellana,” meaning “The Beloved Plain.” These words echo the love and attachment to one's homeland, precisely the sentiments with which their wines are crafted. The term “Care” in English also denotes putting care, affection, and respect into its production.

The distinctive faces featured on their labels, designed by Enrique Torrijos, completely fascinate me. While studying and analyzing them for inspiration, in my attempt to capture the essence of Care in my work, I experienced a curious process of transformation. From the very beginning, I was sure I wanted to create a face—an almost natural impulse for this project. I was eager to begin, but I struggled to start, as if something was missing for me to accomplish it. I knew I wanted to craft a unique and stunning face already visualized on one of those majestic bottles, yet I couldn’t quite picture how to paint it. I am not skilled at painting specific things—truth be told, I’m not skilled at painting at all. I simply enjoy letting my creativity flow with certain concepts in mind and seeing where they take me. For this reason, I delayed starting, hoping to find the missing piece. Eventually, I found it, unexpectedly.

To me, the faces of Care convey something primal with a touch of sophistication, something tribal, indigenous, mysterious, magical, enigmatic, magnetic... and also, a curious hint of the disturbing (I mean this positively). Their expressions are undeniably unique. I realized I could not escape the alluring and slightly menacing magic that these faces of Care embody. This response came to me during a low-morale mood that gradually shifted into internal frustration, anxiety, and resignation throughout the day. I felt an urge to either go for a run or channel my emotions into painting. Believe me, it’s as cathartic as running: emotions transform, akin to wine production, where they are pressed, macerated, fermented... given time to rest, they evolve into their final form, bottled into a result that brings peace and happiness—just like the feeling of tasting Care wines.

This transformative process is what I sought to capture in creating this face for Care. That’s why you’ll find a slightly unsettling face with a mischievous air. Before painting the expression, I hesitated, thinking it wouldn’t be a good idea to portray anger or rage—negative emotions, essentially. So I moderated or rather processed those feelings to adjust the face’s expression, avoiding extremes. Whether I succeeded or not, I felt satisfied with the outcome, as it conveyed the essence I aimed for: a mix of perturbation and malice intertwined with an aura of tribalism, ritual, and mystery—a mask that holds magic and respect-worthy unknowns within.

You’ll also notice a sharp contrast between the face and the background. The background features subtle dark brown nuances (not entirely cream). The face draws upon shades of purple and fuchsia reminiscent of grapes, alongside other tones like red, silver, and various browns. In fact, the face itself takes on the shape of a grape with its stem. Ultimately, more than a face or a grape, this artwork is a mask. Masks have gained unique relevance in my life over the past few months, as I’ve encountered people with deep, well-crafted masks that were challenging to detect and uncover. Masks allow us to assume roles, navigate from secure positions, or be who we are not—or perhaps who we aspire to be. I believe masks, when used appropriately, are intriguing and necessary in life. We all weave and wear them at times, but the key lies in knowing when to wear them and when to take them off, with whom we can remove them, or simply reveal another mask, another face—or our true face. However, I’ve also learned that there’s something no mask can truly conceal unless one is a true poker master: what the eyes, gaze, and expressions reveal. A mask has a fixed expression, but it’s tough to maintain. One must be a great actor or actress—the most likely scenario is that your true face speaks volumes through gestures and looks that your mask cannot hide.

The Garnacha’s Magnetic Face

Next, I’ll share my experiences with Care wines, focusing on garnacha white and red, and Bodegas Care. We have the complete catalog of nine bottles made from this grape variety. Care’s full catalog is much broader, with other grape varieties, which you can explore alongside their website at the end of this article. Let’s delve into each of these magnetic faces, guardians of the delicate wines they protect. As always, this is a personal, intimate, and subjective experience. My perception may not align with others’ or match product descriptions—it’s not my intention to do so. This isn’t a professional tasting or analysis. We’ll first cover the four whites, followed by the five reds:

Blanco Sobre Lías

60% Garnacha Blanca – 40% Chardonnay. With its clear luminosity and green highlights, this wine conveys youth and subtle freshness. It possesses a direct and balanced character, where the fruit notes intertwine spontaneously, as if retaining their unadulterated essence. This vitality and intensity are characteristic of youth, yet they hold the promise of enduring over the years.

Garnacha Blanca Nativa

100% Garnacha Blanca. I adore the labeling, which resembles an Egyptian mask of what appears to be a pharaoh—it evokes positive feelings. This wine embodies a crystalline purity that invites exploration beyond the surface. Its floral character and exotic fruit nuances seem to tell a story harking back to the Egyptian era, covered by a veil of centuries of history. Layer by layer, this intricate and serene mantle of complexity reveals its personality unhurriedly.

Brut Garnacha Blanca

100% Garnacha Blanca. Once again, we are taken back to youthful effervescence, brimming with energy and freshness. It paradoxically dances between equilibrium and vibrant intensity. Its fruity notes and fluorescent effervescence bring to life an inherently cheerful character—a spark that ignites and invites you to savor the present moment, celebrating the here and now.

XCLNT Blanco

90% Garnacha Blanca and 10% Macabeo. Aged on its lees for six months in French oak barrels and 12 months in Galileo cement tanks. Its captivating color and aromatic richness—combining citrus, spices, and a mineral touch—evoke a complex yet approachable sensation. This wine is full-bodied, elegant, and appears crafted with the patience and detail of a work made to endure. It is the crown jewel of Care’s white wines. I am in love with this bottle’s labeling; it seems to merge mysticism and futurism of the highest level, worthy of a noble, enigmatic entity—one that seems to stand on a higher plane of history, weaving the tapestry of human destiny. Simply put, I love it. It’s perfect for this bottle and what it represents for me.

Nouveau

50% Garnacha, 40% Tempranillo, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The label is beautiful—floral and joyful. This wine stands out with an uninhibited and vibrant essence. Its expression of red fruits is genuine and unpretentious, creating an immediate connection, like a spontaneous conversation that needs no embellishment.

Tinto Sobre Lías

75% Garnacha – 25% Syrah. The intensity of this wine is noticeable from its deep purple hue to its robust body. It presents a straightforward character, leaving behind a rich sensation that isn’t overwhelming but instead invites further exploration with each sip. It’s a wine I’d choose for a romantic date—smooth, enticing, and perfect for an extended special night.

Garnacha Tinta Nativa

100% Garnacha from vines over 50 years old. Its strength is expressed through its dark reddish tones and enveloping texture. This wine feels like a more measured and elegant journey. Notes of cocoa and coffee are intriguingly integrated and perceptible. The label is very striking and stands out as one of my favorites. Its mysterious air leaves me wondering whether the figure depicted is friend or foe. I enjoy having a wine by my side that evokes such ambiguous sensations and plays with what it conveys.

Finca Bancales

100% Garnacha from old vines. Its brilliant appearance reflects a purity complemented by unexpected details: balsamic and spiced nuances that shape a complex yet coherent personality. This is a high-caliber bottle—elegant and, like the wine it contains, displaying a mature character.

XCLNT Tinto

60% Garnacha from old vines and 40% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels (300 and 500 liters) and six months in 3,000-liter foudres. The other crown jewel of Care, this time among their reds. With an intense cherry-red hue, it boldly presents power in every sense, yet with delicate elegance. The red fruit, sweet spice (cinnamon), and toasted almond notes blend seamlessly with the mineral touches from the rocky vineyard soils, creating a harmonious sensation of depth and sophistication that lingers in memory. This is an extremely elegant and intelligent wine—perfect for strategic sipping during a business conversation, where it might help break barriers between distant positions. The label, once again, operates on another level, evoking cosmic, celestial sensations similar to the XCLNT Blanco but leaning more towards the universe’s mysteries.

The Ultimate Masquerade Party

This is the definitive experience that plays with faces and masks. I imagine having all of them presiding over a grand event, each bottle shining with its unique story and personality. I truly enjoyed this creative journey, dancing through this masquerade full of flavors, nuances, aromas, textures—each inviting a shift of masks, new dance partners, and different faces. After all, we are filled with myriad nuances ourselves, needing to navigate and manage the intricate play of masks we live with and encounter every day.

Many thanks to Bodegas Care for this opportunity and their incredible dedication. On their website, you’ll find comprehensive technical details about each of these nine bottles and the extensive catalog of Bodegas Care, along with detailed information about their vineyards, estates, and winery, among others. The website is exceptionally thorough, providing everything you need to know and more to satisfy your curiosity and deepen your knowledge about Care. I hope you’ve enjoyed this creative process as much as I have—combining Aragón’s gastronomy and art in this wine adventure to create an exclusive abstract piece inspired by Care’s identity and capturing its essence to forge a legendary and unique mask.

More information about the "Care" Winery and its entire offering, here.
Access the artwork resulting from this collaboration and learn more, here.