PalateMatch

Today I am tasting the 2007 Altovinum Calatayud Evodia from Spain. This 100% Garnacha (Grenache) based wine was acquired for under $10 and comes in a beautifully labeled bottle.

Color

In the glass it is a dark ruby red with purple edges.

Aroma

Mint and red currant dominate the nose on this wine. There is also a cedar component. It is quite floral with lavender being prominent.

Flavor

Red currant and pomegranate on the attack. Black cherry and some black pepper on the mid-palate followed by good tannins, sour cherry, and a very strong green component. This is a pretty complex palate, but I have read that Grenache can get quite green and lose the fruit flavors when a winemaker tries to increase the tannins from the grape skin during the winemaking process. It is a delicate balance to keep the fruit and yet get some tannins. Perhaps that is what is happening with this wine. It definitely has some old world character. It will pair well with pasta and pork.

Rating

I think for the price this is a wine worth trying. If you are looking for a sweet fruit bomb it will probably not match your palate. But if you want something with lots of flavors, then it could be a good fit. I rate it 86 points.

Today I am tasting the 2005 Coloma Garnacha Roja by Coloma Vineyards and Winery in Spain. This 100% Garnacha Roja (Grenache) varietal from their Amelia Vineyard in southwestern Spain close to Portugal is available for under $9. The winemaker is Amelia Coloma.

Color

The color of this wine is a deep red which is not quite opaque, but close.

Aroma

The nose is very aromatic. It has bold red berries such as strawberry, raspberry and cherry. There is a strong menthol component as well. Definitely a different nose than a lot of red wines. Very interesting.

Flavor

The attack is quite fruity with strawberry and cherry. Then sour cherry takes over and the finish is very tannic and dry. I am struck by how dry this wine is. Overall it is not a complex wine but the fruit is solid and it should pair well with food. But it needs to be a food that is full of flavor such as blue cheese or beef because this is an intense wine (fruit bomb without the oak).

Rating

I like this wine. The aroma is intriguing and the fruit is tasty. However it is a bit one dimensional and the finish is very dry. I rate it 88 points.

Have you tried a grenache with dark chocolate? It is supposed to be a great pairing.

Garnacha (or Grenache) is the most heavily planted grape varietal in the world. It is often blended with other varietals. The 2006 Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha from the Calatayud region of Spain is a value at less than $8. This “three eyes” wine comes in an attractive bottle with a plastic cork (yeah!) and some art work featuring the hot climate where Garnacha is no doubt grown. This late season grape produces wine that is high in alcohol and the Tres Ojos is 14.5%.

Aroma

There is a smokey dark fruit nose which is very apparent with strawberry. This is a wonderful smelling wine. The aroma seems to have a little spicy component and a little clay too. It reminds me of Cabernet/Merlot blends.

Flavor

I like the fruit on this wine. It is pretty high in alcohol, but there is some good balance by the fruit. It isn’t sweet fruit, because there are loads of sour cherry on the mid palate and mild back-end tannins with some pepper. This wine may even be too sour for some consumers. I think this could pair wonderfully with some bitter chocolate.

Rating

I like this wine. Grenache is different than other varietals and this is a nice price at which to give it a try. I’m recommending it and I rate it 87 points.

Have you tried a Grenache lately?

Today I am tasting the 2008 garnacha de Fuego Old Vines from Bodegas Ateca in Calatayud, Spain. This 100% Garnacha (Grenache) varietal was acquired for under $8. This “fire grenache” comes in an attractive bottle with a plastic cork (a good thing). I am going to see how it evolves over successive days.

Day One

Opened and breathing for 30 minutes.

Color

A nice ruby red in the glass. Slightly denser than a Pinot Noir.

Aroma

This is a very fragrant varietal and shows nice black cherry and pepper on the nose. There is also some cedar present.

Flavor

The attack is full of fruit. There is blackberry and blueberry present. The mid-palate shows some black cherry and the finish lingers with more cherry and some pepper. This is medium bodied and finishes pretty simply. It will pair well with pork and beef.

Rating

This is a solid bottle of wine and a good value. I rate it 88 points.

Day Two

The bottle was recorked and now it is 24 hours later.

Color

Still a nice ruby in the glass.

Aroma

Great fruit on the nose. Lots of blueberry now. There is a bit of oak and some blackberry, but this is the one of the most powerful blueberry noses I have had in a long time. Really really nice.

Flavor

Great fruit on the attack with blackberry and blueberry in heavy doses. The mid-palate is showing well with black cherry and black currant. The finish is long with more cherry, some oak, and minor tannins. This is definitely a fruity New World wine throughout, but it is good and will pair well with smoked meat.

Rating

I like this. It is definitely a fruit bomb, but a pretty nice one. I rate it 90 points.

Wrap-up

Wow! This wine really opened up and improved as it breathed. I am very impressed with it. Have you had any wines that get better the following day after opening? I’ve had quite a few show poorly in the next day, but not this one. Do you like this format or would you rather see these reviews in separate posts broken out by day?