2017 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja, Spain, Wine Review

This wine, first introduced in 2002, is always a popular wine with those who enjoy full throttle wines that have plenty of fruit. But, it is more than just a lush fruit bomb. The vines producing fruit range from 40 to 70 years old. Purple in color with some ruby hues. The nose has black cherries, cinnamon, and baking spices. On the palate, this has juicy cherries and black cherries with some underlying char and earthiness. Plenty of depth. There is a fair amount of oak showing on this, but if one prefers, lay this down in a good cellar for ten years and it should integrate nicely. Ah, that is not why people love this wine. It is a fun wine meant to be enjoyed young. Great on its own, this will work great with BBQ ribs.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$35.00USD

Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we reported on American Rhone-style wines we tasted at the 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008. We noted that this event was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective because, unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. While this was a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers weren’t represented, there was still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts.

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Campo de Borja: Spain's "Empire of Garnacha"

I must admit, I didn't know much about Campo de Borja when I first read about the results of this year's San Francisco International Wine Competition. I was surprised to learn that Masia de Bielsa 's 2007 Garnacha won the "Best Grenache" award – quite an honor for a $12 bottle of wine from a DO with only 17 wineries.

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2011 Alto Moncayo, Spain, Campo de Borja, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$100.00USD

This is 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from Northern Spain. It is a big wine that is delicious and drinks great. At age 8, it is just getting into a nice wheelhouse showing some complexity and depth and the fruit fades just a bit. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has raspberries, black cherries, milk chocolate, and slight coffee notes. Full bodied. Smooth. On the palate, lots of black and red raspberry fruit. Light tannins. Enough acidity to work with food. Good finish. This still drinks great on its own and worked great with a spicy chili. It will also work well with roaste

2018 Bodegas Paniza Co-op Sotavento Garnacha, Spain, Carinena, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Sotavento is a private label bottling from this cooperative in Spain. It is made from Garnacha (Grenache). Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is tight. With air, black cherries and dust come out. Medium bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, black cherries and spice. Moderate finish. This needs some time, but it remains to be seen if the fruit outlasts the tannins. Probably better with some food. Stews would work well. Drink over the next five years.

2013 El Escoces Volante Garnacha Es Lo Que Hay Viñas Viejas, Spain, Calatayud, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

B+

This is an inexpensive Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) from Spain. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has dusty black cherries. Sweet and slightly candied on the palate with black cherry fruit as well. Clean. This sells for around $20. It will work with heartier foods. This should be consumed in the next few years. A fun wine that should be a hit among non-wine geeks.

2017 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja, Spain, Wine Review

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Rhone Valley & Spanish Rhone-style Wines Tasted at the 2008 Hospice du Rhone Events

Campo de Borja: Spain's "Empire of Garnacha"

2011 Alto Moncayo, Spain, Campo de Borja, Wine Review

2018 Bodegas Paniza Co-op Sotavento Garnacha, Spain, Carinena, Wine Review

2013 El Escoces Volante Garnacha Es Lo Que Hay Viñas Viejas, Spain, Calatayud, Wine Review