Wine of the Month - March 2012
2010 Campo de Borja, Garnacha, Vinas Viejas, Bielsa - $11.99
Ok, so we’re featuring another Grenache this month, but we think that the contrast between this excellent Spanish example and last month’s Sardinian warrants its inclusion.
Current economic problems aside, there has been an explosion of “quality” wines coming from Spain in the last ten years or so. We do caution you to choose carefully however, as there is a lot of industrial/modern/clunky stuff out in the marketplace vying for your hard-earned wine dollars.
We feel however, that this is the “real thing, done properly”. From Campo De Borja, halfway between Barcelona and Bilbao, it’s made from organically farmed old vines (at least 30 years old), fermented using only naturally occurring yeasts in stainless steel tanks and aged in the same. No oak is allowed near this one, giving it a fresh, fruit-driven style with bright acidity. There is plenty of spicy raspberry and red cherry on the nose, dark cherry fruit and minerals on the palate.
This is a wonderful everyday red, which matches well with tapas, grilled lamb shoulder or just a bowl of Marcona almonds, as you contemplate your day.
Ok, so we’re featuring another Grenache this month, but we think that the contrast between this excellent Spanish example and last month’s Sardinian warrants its inclusion.
Current economic problems aside, there has been an explosion of “quality” wines coming from Spain in the last ten years or so. We do caution you to choose carefully however, as there is a lot of industrial/modern/clunky stuff out in the marketplace vying for your hard-earned wine dollars.
We feel however, that this is the “real thing, done properly”. From Campo De Borja, halfway between Barcelona and Bilbao, it’s made from organically farmed old vines (at least 30 years old), fermented using only naturally occurring yeasts in stainless steel tanks and aged in the same. No oak is allowed near this one, giving it a fresh, fruit-driven style with bright acidity. There is plenty of spicy raspberry and red cherry on the nose, dark cherry fruit and minerals on the palate.
This is a wonderful everyday red, which matches well with tapas, grilled lamb shoulder or just a bowl of Marcona almonds, as you contemplate your day.
