Las Rocas Garnacha

[Innkeeper]

2002 Las Rocas de San Alejandro, Garnacha, Calatayud ($10.99 Belfast Coop [understand can be had for up to $4 less elsewhere]). 13.5% alcohol. It provides deep ruby/purple color for the eye. The nose is treated to exotic aromas of cherry liquor. A blast of cherries and blackberries explode on the tongue tip. Nice complexity with notes of chocolate and pepper cross the palate along with smooth tannin and well integrated oak. The finish lingers. Matched well with macaroni and cheese with spinach. Very, very nice.

[Kcwhippet]

Too bad the SO really doesn't like Garnacha/Grenache. Tasted that one in the shop a few weeks ago and was very impressed. See if you can find the old vines (however that's spelled in Spanish) version, IK. It'll be the 2001 vintage and it's supposed to make the regular seem like a two buck chuck. Haven't had it yet, but I'm trying to get the management to bring in some.

[dananne]

See today's related post [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Innkeeper]

The grapes for this one are allegedly 75 years old in slate soil, which isn't exactly young.

[dananne]

Funny to see 75 year old vines considered young. The '02 that you tried has gotten great reviews, too, and I'm wanting to try it. The '01 Vinas Viejas is from 100 yr vines in their highest vineyard in slate soils. From a bit of web searching, it seems like 10,000 cases of it came in via Eric Solomon.

[Innkeeper]

According to a post on another board, Parker gave the '02 a score of 91!

[Innkeeper]

Another bottle last night nicely cleaned up with our new decanter funnel. Wonderful with last batch of macaroni and cheese for awhile.