These reviews are based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

 

2015 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Blanca

2013 Viñas del Vero Somontano Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla

2015 Altovinum Evodia

2015 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Cariñena

2014 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Campo de Borja Coto de Hayas Centenaria

 

 

Overview

I was invited to participate in a #GarnachaDay online tasting with Snooth and Wines of Garnacha.  These wines were provided to me by the organizers.  A very informative online session hosted by Master Sommelier and Corkbuzz owner Laura Maniec and Master of Wine Christy Canterbury.  You can view the Virtual Tasting Chat Log and view the recorded video by clicking here.

 

Much more informative information is available at the Wines of Garnacha site.

 

Old Garnacha Vines of Bodegas Alto Moncayo.

Picture courtesy of Foods & Wines of Spain

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this online tasting event:

 

 

2015 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Blanca

This wine is 100% Garnacha Blanca (White Grenache) from the Terra Alta region in Spain.  The wine does not see oak.

 

The wine has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light straw yellow color.  The very inviting nose has ripe apples, pears, white pepper, crushed stone minerals, lemon zest, orange blossoms, lime zest, white peaches and beeswax.  This has medium body with nice crisp acidity.  On the palate apples, pears, lemon zest and crushed stones jump out quickly with orange blossoms and beeswax coming in on the back end.  The lingering finish adds mouthwatering lime zest.  The bright fruit and crisp acidity makes this a perfect choice for a light meal or an aperitif on a warm, sunny day.  (89 pts)

 

 

2013 Viñas del Vero Somontano Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla

This 100% Garnacha Blanca was aged 4 months in French oak.

 

This wine has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow color.  The fresh and bright nose has apples, white peaches, crushed stones, pears, orange blossoms and a touch of Spanish peanuts.  The palate has nice white fruit and crushed stones on the front end with white peaches and orange blossoms coming in later.  The crisp finish adds a nutty element and just enough citrus leaving your mouth watering for another sip.  This would be a very nice companion for a light meal or appetizers on a sunny day.  (91 pts)

 

 

2015 Altovinum Evodia

This wine is a custom cuvee for Eric Soloman and comes from high altitude (2400 to 3000 feet) vineyards that were planted up to 100 years ago. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks and did not spend any time in oak barrels.

 

This wine has 15% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The sensuous nose has black cherries, flinty minerals, plums, warm baking spices, dry earth, dried violets, white pepper and melted licorice.  This has a full body with moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate cherries, plums, flint and baking spices quickly take control on the front end with white pepper and licorice coming in later.  The finish has good length with a dried floral note providing nice depth.  This is a smooth, velvety wine with no rough edges.  (91 pts)

 

 

2015 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Cariñena

This wine is 100% Garnacha from the Cariñena region in Spain.  This wine is fermented and aged for under 12 months in stainless steel tanks.  This wine is produced to be enjoyed early.

 

This wine has 13% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The hypnotic nose has blackberries, crushed stones, white pepper, cherries, dry underbrush, violets and warm baking spices.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate blackberries, crushed stones and baking spices jump out quickly on the front end with white pepper and tart cherries coming in later.  The finish has nice length with dry underbrush and a floral note providing extra depth.  This is a wine that would satisfy both casual and more serious wine drinkers.  (90 pts)

 

 

2014 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Campo de Borja Coto de Hayas Centenaria

This 100% Grenache comes from vineyards planted over 100 years ago.  The wine was aged for 4 months in French oak.

 

The wine has 14% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The enticing nose has blackberries, cocoa beans, black cherries, baking spices, scorched earth, dusty minerals and a hint of mint.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  Blackberries, cocoa beans and dusty minerals jump out quickly on the palate with black cherries and scorched earth coming in later.  The finish has very nice length with baking spices providing additional depth.  This is a very tasty wine with solid structure.  (91 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

Spanish Garnacha is generally a crowd pleasing wine.  There is usually nice up front fruit that will appeal to the casual wine drinker but these wines generally have the structure and savory/mineral notes that appeal to the more “serious” wine lover.  If these wines are new to you or it’s been a while since you enjoyed a bottle, grab one on your next wine shopping trip.

 

 

 

 

This presentation and the wines were provided by Snooth.

 

Snooth is the world’s most comprehensive wine site, hosts the largest online wine community & features reviews & local prices for millions of wines.

 

Mission

Snooth is a revolutionary web-based social shopping experience that is simplifying how people select, learn about, and purchase their favorite wines.

 

Company Overview

Philip James launched Snooth in 2007 with one goal: to make wine info clear, accessible, and freely available.

The idea for Snooth first came to Philip when he began working in the wine industry and realized just how complex wine was — if even the most seasoned wine collectors could become confused, what hope was there for the casual wine lover?

He realized that the wine industry was hopelessly fragmented — with neither a standardized naming system nor a centralized repository of information — and created Snooth to change all of that.

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!