Dark garnet-ruby color; smoke, spice, blackberry, pencil shaving on the nose; cherry, blackberry, plum, raspberry jam, cinnamon on the palate.
Medium-plus body, dusty medium tannin, medium-sharp acidity, some oak—five months in barrel. Garnacha in 50% French and 50% American oak, cariñena in 100% French oak.
This is simply an astonishing, delicious value—an emphatic example of the monster quality-price opportunities in Spanish wines. Garnacha/grenache starts out as one of my favorite varietals, and this delivers superb garnacha with the added bonus of cariñena for depth.
The wine is a product of Grandes Vinos, a consulting company established in 1997 to help manage a range of brands across an arena of tastes and wine niches produced in Spain’s Cariñena designation of origin. Robert Parker wrote: “Grandes Vinos’ collection is replete with stunning values.”
Corona de Aragon Special Selection Garnacha-Cariñena 2013 is delicious wine and a delicious value, an clear statement about value of Spanish wine. Check the price, find the wine. $6-7
Other photos: Cariñena vineyard; Cariñena vineyard and visitors
