2013 Alto Moncayo Garnacha
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It was very interesting to compare two vintages of the same bottling, where I could see how the 2013 Alto Moncayo faithfully reflected the cooler and wetter year. This is the winery's flagship wine, pure Garnacha from vines ranging between 40 and 70 years of age, fermented with neutral yeasts in small tanks and aged in brand new barriques (65% French oak, the rest American) for 18 months. Despite the conditions of the year, the bottled wine achieved 16% alcohol, with low pH and good acidity. They finished harvesting later than ever and the grapes achieved very good ripeness, a slow ripening, with very good health and at the same time they managed to keep very good levels of acidity. As I found in the other wines I tasted next to it, the oak felt better integrated and while this is a generously oaked, heady and ripe Garnacha, it has its balance, in an XL way. It should make old bones, and has the stuffing and balance to do so. 50,400 bottles were filled in July 2015.
Critic scores
Josh Raynolds
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Bright violet color. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, candied flowers, vanilla and incense, with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated boysenberry and cherry-cola flavors that show surprising vivacity and a touch of back end spiciness. Finishes very long and energetic, with supple tannins building slowly and in harmony with the wine's intense fruit. This suave bottling, which is sourced from vines that were planted between 1910 and 1967, was aged in new French and American oak barrels for 22 months.
Bright violet color. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, candied flowers, vanilla and incense, with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated boysenberry and cherry-cola flavors that show surprising vivacity and a touch of back end spiciness. Finishes very long and energetic, with supple tannins building slowly and in harmony with the wine's intense fruit. This suave bottling, which is sourced from vines that were planted between 1910 and 1967, was aged in new French and American oak barrels for 22 months. Dec 15, www.vinous.com, Drink 2019-2025
Deep nose of dark fruit skin with black ink, cacao and earthy undertones. Full body, soft and medium tannins and bright acidity that follows through to a long, earthy and fruity finish. From 100% garnacha. Drink now. Dec-16, www.jamessuckling.com