Perfect with a good fish — 2 years ago
Sanlúcar de Barrameda was the port that Christopher Columbus set off from in 1492. Just 1 year earlier, duties on wine exports from Sanlúcar had been abolished to take advantage of English merchants desperate for new supply after the loss of Bordeaux.
It began a centuries-long romance between Sherry and English wine lovers, as immortalized in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 2, when Falstaff glorifies sturdy Spanish 'sack' over thin Bordeaux 'claret' and Rhine 'hock'.
But the honeymoon, quite literally, was not to last. Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon drove a wedge between England and Catholic Europe, and left English wine lovers in need of a new source once again. But Sherry fanatics wouldn't have to go entirely without. When Sir Francis Drake sailed into Cádiz and burned the Spanish fleet in 1587, he carried away 2,900 butts of Sherry - enough to supply London for years - as his most famous prize.
(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 5 years ago
This Garnacha wine is undeniably delicious! 🍷🍷
It is the 2018 Alto Moncayo, Veraton, Garnacha, coming from the Campo de Borja D.O. (appellation) in Aragon, Spain, produced by Bodegas Alto Moncayo. 🇪🇸
It has a deep ruby hue with notable tearing and viscosity. On the nose, it has a medium (+) intensity of ripe, luscious black cherry, blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant notes, next to violet, black licorice, toasty, star anise, nutmeg, clove, dark chocolate, tobacco, and vanilla bean characteristics.
What is striking is its concentration of juicy aromas and flavors and weighty mouthfeel, not to mention its immediate approachability. It is dry, offering a rounded, ripe and powerful profile in terms of both its fruit character as well as its alcohol-tannin structure. 🤩
This wine was made with fruit of old, bush vines (30-50 years old), planted at elevation on the hillsides of the Moncayo mountains, and aged in oak barrels for 16 months before release.
We picked this up at @sunfishcellars for $26.99 and it more than delivered… it has “summer barbecue” written all over it!
Cheers to exploring the world’s many beautiful expressions of Garnacha / Grenache! — a year ago
Very interesting, special one, Corse! Herbal, dry mineral and spicy!
Today Aragon Menu:
Pluma / Linsen-Chorizo-Süßholz / Mangold-Pinienkern / Lauch — 4 years ago
PI 3,1415... is the result of the selection of 3.14 Ha. of the local grape Garnacha Blanca from 60 years old vines.
Lovely nose with beeswax, peach, melon, green apple and notes of honey and slightly buttery, medium bodied with the same fruit flavors, fine acidity with a nice nutty note, 89DSP — 6 years ago
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
Excellent #chardonnay from #aragon #somontano one of the best of #Spain — a year ago