Viñas Viejas de Paniza Cariñena Garnacha

Lineup of seven reds before our tasting of Sonoma Coast Pinots. Really odd / cardboard? taste to this Spanish Grenache. Not for me.

Vintage 2012 / well aged #garnacha can be beautiful. Figs, nuts, cinnamon, soft at first sip, high acidity so good with food and prominent bitters.

You know what this wine smells and tastes like? A Dry Creek Zin. Seriously. Pure blackberry/cherry fruit, vanilla stick, and some stony minerals underneath. It was more Grenachey when it was younger, but I like where it is now. Is there a better wine under $10?

Clear garnet red. Nose and palate of black cherry, black raspberry, and vanilla oak. Firm tannins on opening that settle down nicely with air. Full body. Medium acidity. Great QPR. Can stand up to a Porterhouse but just as at home with burgers! Which is what we had.

Wood, wood and more wood. American oak, that is. Buried under that 2+4 is some nice cherry, raspberry fruit. Dill, coconut, vanilla. Blech.

This Carinena is one of the best values of 2015. Intense nose of raspberry preserves and pungent minerals. Mouth filling ripe raspberry and black cherry, along with a brambly quality. Very good acids, and a bit of tannin in the tail end as the flavors turn minerally. Was $10.

Not particularly great

2012 vintage opened 2021 all the fruity flavors with nice smoothness d

Dark plums and raisins. Hints of tobacco, Forrest Floor, dried herbs and black licorice. Firm tannins and ripe tasting.

Really enjoyed this wine. Would buy again.