Garnacha Tintorera
R. López de Heredia
Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010
2010 vintage (half bottle). Upon opening, there was a split second hesitation as to whether the wine was skunked or not. Extremely earthy and funky nose though the taste and color assured that it was fine, though it surely needed a ton of time to come together. We enjoyed a Chenin Blanc while we waited for the Rioja. Revisiting the nose about 45 minutes later, it was clear the time alone improved it immensely. Alas, the classic notes of vanilla and oak and cherry that I so often associate with Rioja. Drinking it 20 minutes later over the next hour, the wine was showing incredibly well and so different from its previously unruly and spastic self. It was now much more tame and finessed, well integrated tannins yet still present, with nice acidity and a good amount of freshness. Incredibly enjoyable all on its own. A fun journey that had a rocky beginning but very rewarding end. — 12 days ago
Bodegas y Viñedos Maurodos
Prima Toro Tempranillo-Garnacha Blend 2020
Initially gave a blast of bright red fruit and vanilla. 2 hours later, it had really hit its stride with the cherry melting into leather and long tannins. Excellent Toro value — 19 days ago
Bodegas Ateca
Atteca Calatayud Old Vines Garnacha 2021
Medium plus ruby in color; black cherries, raspberries, and tabacco on the nose; high acidity, high tannins; tastes like candied cherries, hibiscus, and crushed gravel with a long finish. Nellie likes it, and so do I. — a month ago
Clos Erasmus
Laurel Priorat Garnacha Blend 2021
This is a stunning Garnatxa blend from Priorat (Catalonia), Spain!!
It’s comprised of mostly Garnatxa (Grenache), along with Syrah, and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from three parcels in the sun-soaked village of Gratallops, where Daphne Glorian purchased her first vineyard – Clos Escales – back in 1989 when she founded Clos i Terraces. 🍇
In making this move, she joined equally passionate and pioneering winemakers Álvaro Palacios (L’Ermita) and René Barbier (Clos Mogador) in a rebirth of production practices in the region; as a group (with other similar-minded producers) they altered the trajectory of Priorat’s profile as a source of tip top quality wines rivaling the best on the world stage. 👏🏻
Priorat is one of only two regions carrying the “DOCa” / “DOQ” quality designation (the other is Rioja), subject to various stipulations including regular auditing by a tasting panel. ✅
This particular wine is “Laurel” which is Clos i Terraces’s second wine, next to Clos Erasmus, one of Priorat’s finest and most sought-after wines. Yet it tastes like a flagship wine in and of itself.🫶🏻🫶🏻
It is absolutely beautiful, with a medium ruby hue, medium (+) intensity of ripe and fresh strawberry, red cherry, red plum, violet, black licorice, fennel, clove, baking spice aromas and flavors. It’s dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol (14% ABV), and medium tannins that are fine-grained. 😆
This wine vinified and aged in a combination of vessels, including, large oak vats, concrete tanks, second and third fill French oak barrels, and clay amphorae, lending to its texture and complexity.👌🏻👌🏻
— 8 days ago
La Rioja Alta
Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2016
La Rioja Alta, “Viña Ardanza” Rioja Reserva, 2016 🇪🇸
🍇Tempranillo 80%, Garnacha 20%
😋 Cherries and dried red fruits, vanilla, leather, and spice.
🕰️The term 'Reserva' on the label indicates this Spanish wine was aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least 1 year spent in the barrel.
✅ Pretty bold with a clean acidity, this🍷tastes great now but could also age for a few more years. — a month ago
Peter Heyboer
This is a great wine. It opens with strong berry character and some oak/vanilla. As it opens the jammy character shines through and you get a strong berry sweetness in flavor and aroma that drinks really easy for 14.5%. Stands up to the bit of age I put on it. Will drink again! — 7 days ago