2007 Alto Moncayo- Unbelievable Spanish Value $37.95 WA94

In honor of Spain’s victory in the World Cup, I decided to pop a bottle of old vine Garnacha.  Let me tell you, drinking this wine is WAY more exciting than watching 90 minutes of scoreless soccer.  Then again, so is being punched in the head, but that’s beside the point.  In all seriousness, this might be the most exciting wine I’ve had all year!  I’m not finished with the bottle, and I already can’t wait until the next time I get to drink this.

This wine pours an inky purple- so dense that the bubbles look almost as dark as the wine itself.  The nose is sweet and absolutely jumps out of the glass.  I’m not sure how the Spanish get their Garnacha (aka Grenache) so concentrated.  Blueberry syrup comes to mind.  This is muscular, firm and sweet but still manages to be refined despite its 16%(!!!) alcohol.

Chris Ringland, the man behind many of Australia’s best values (Pillar Box Red), is the mastermind of this fantastic wine.  It was rated 94 points from the Wine Advocate and 93 from Stephen Tanzer’s notoriously stingy International Wine Cellar.  This wine is drinking great today but will likely last for 10 years.  I see no reason to wait on it because it’s SO good right now.

Buy Here: Bodegas Alto Moncayo Alto Moncayo $37.95

Wine Advocate 94 points

“The same can be said for the 2007 Alto Moncayo, also 100% Garnacha. It offers up a similar aromatic and flavor profile, just at a slightly higher octane level. This opulent effort is all about pleasure; give it 3-4 years of additional cellaring if you’d like it a bit more civilized.

Old vine Garnacha made under the supervision of renowned vigneron Chris Ringland is the story at Bodegas Alto Moncayo in the little known DO of Campo de Borja.

International Wine Cellar 93 points

“($45; 100% garnacha) Deep, bright ruby. Complex bouquet offers scents of blueberry, boysenberry, cola, dark chocolate and mace. Broad, sweet dark berry flavors display liqueur-like depth and power and are nicely framed by velvety tannins. A tangy mineral note gains strength with air and adds vivacity to the long, sweet, spicy finish. I’d drink this alluring wine on the young side for its exuberant fruit character.”