Sometimes there IS truth in advertising.
This past weekend I wanted to enjoy a nice red wine. Oddly, I didn't go for the Cabernet Sauvignons that tend to be my "go to" when this urge hits. I wanted red, but something different and something that I've been cellaring.
After some acrobatic maneuvers around stacked boxes, books, tools, buckets and others items that now clutter the flooring around my wine shelf I emerged with a Spanish red.
Vina Alarba "Old Vines" Grenache - 2001 (This vineyard's vines are approximately 70 years old)
Varietal: 85% Grenache 15% Syrah
Country: Spain
Region: D.O. Calatayud 2500 ft above sea level. Very dry climate.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Availability - 2001 vintage extremely rare. (only 1 store in the US shows stock and it my be incorrect) Newer vintages can be bought all over the internet and some wine shops. Seeing a lot of the 2005 vintage for sale.
Price range: Cheep! less then $10
Wine labels can often be very confusing. Sometimes misleading. "Leather" "Gravel" "Barnyard"...Yes, I shit you not I've seen "Barnyard" Now we all know that no one in the right mind would sell a product tasting like a barnyard. This just refers to a slight aroma, a tiny particle of the wine that may induce a memory of someone's youth when they once visited a farm. Still most of the time these labels tend to embellish a tad. Adding flavors or aromas that may be a long shot in actually experiencing yourself. I fully understand that everyone's milage WILL vary when it comes to wine tasting but, I've been hard pressed to find one that doesn't boast some flavor or aroma that I nor anyone else around me can pick up.
Now for today's wine: To be honest, I didn't have huge expectations. I was just hoping it survived my cellaring since it was with the first groups of wine to be purchased back in the day. Upon opening it had a nice bright red color and a fruity bouquet. This was a good sign! While I let mine breathe K read off the label. "Sweet Cherries, Dark Plum with White pepper on the finish". I wondered how close that would be to what was now swirling in my glass. I drank down the first mouthful and was greeted with a full front of cherries. I thought to myself "Wow, I do taste Black Cherries and some Plum in there too" As I swallowed it down, a slight tingling sensation started towards the back of my throat. It immediately sent a familiar aroma up to my nose. I blurted out "Holy crap, that DOES taste like white pepper!" For once, a wine label was spot-on with what you would experience. K agreed sensing the exact same flavors and aromas. I even went as far as changing the type of crackers I was eating since they contained black pepper and was interfering with the wine's white pepper finish.
As odd a combination of Cherries, Plum and White Pepper sounds, it was good. I mean really good. We both enjoyed this selection immensely. For less then $10 ($8.99 if I remember correctly) this was a winner. I would love to enjoy this one again but unfortunately, this was a lone bottle on the rack. I will attempt to try the other vintages of Vina Alarba "Old Vines" Grenache. Reviews seem mixed over the next few vintages. I guess I'll just have to buy 1 of each year until I find another gem like this one. Oh...poor me!
Serving: Although I did cellar this bottle myself for about 5 years it got better as it breathed suggesting that it could have been cellared for even longer. About 15 mins or so after opening this was a very yummy and drinkable wine. Older reviews I found stated decantering for 30-45 mins for full body. I think if stored properly this 2001 wine no longer needs that amount of time to open up. Younger vintages I'd suggest doing the decanter thing for about 30 mins.
Food: This Vina Alarba Grenache seemed VERY food friendly. While we did not get to enjoy this with a meal (just some cheese and crackers) I'm sure that it would go well with a wide variety of dishes. I would say, a pasta dish or even a good pizza would be a perfect companion for this wine.
After some acrobatic maneuvers around stacked boxes, books, tools, buckets and others items that now clutter the flooring around my wine shelf I emerged with a Spanish red.
Vina Alarba "Old Vines" Grenache - 2001 (This vineyard's vines are approximately 70 years old)
Varietal: 85% Grenache 15% Syrah
Country: Spain
Region: D.O. Calatayud 2500 ft above sea level. Very dry climate.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Availability - 2001 vintage extremely rare. (only 1 store in the US shows stock and it my be incorrect) Newer vintages can be bought all over the internet and some wine shops. Seeing a lot of the 2005 vintage for sale.
Price range: Cheep! less then $10
Wine labels can often be very confusing. Sometimes misleading. "Leather" "Gravel" "Barnyard"...Yes, I shit you not I've seen "Barnyard" Now we all know that no one in the right mind would sell a product tasting like a barnyard. This just refers to a slight aroma, a tiny particle of the wine that may induce a memory of someone's youth when they once visited a farm. Still most of the time these labels tend to embellish a tad. Adding flavors or aromas that may be a long shot in actually experiencing yourself. I fully understand that everyone's milage WILL vary when it comes to wine tasting but, I've been hard pressed to find one that doesn't boast some flavor or aroma that I nor anyone else around me can pick up.
Now for today's wine: To be honest, I didn't have huge expectations. I was just hoping it survived my cellaring since it was with the first groups of wine to be purchased back in the day. Upon opening it had a nice bright red color and a fruity bouquet. This was a good sign! While I let mine breathe K read off the label. "Sweet Cherries, Dark Plum with White pepper on the finish". I wondered how close that would be to what was now swirling in my glass. I drank down the first mouthful and was greeted with a full front of cherries. I thought to myself "Wow, I do taste Black Cherries and some Plum in there too" As I swallowed it down, a slight tingling sensation started towards the back of my throat. It immediately sent a familiar aroma up to my nose. I blurted out "Holy crap, that DOES taste like white pepper!" For once, a wine label was spot-on with what you would experience. K agreed sensing the exact same flavors and aromas. I even went as far as changing the type of crackers I was eating since they contained black pepper and was interfering with the wine's white pepper finish.
As odd a combination of Cherries, Plum and White Pepper sounds, it was good. I mean really good. We both enjoyed this selection immensely. For less then $10 ($8.99 if I remember correctly) this was a winner. I would love to enjoy this one again but unfortunately, this was a lone bottle on the rack. I will attempt to try the other vintages of Vina Alarba "Old Vines" Grenache. Reviews seem mixed over the next few vintages. I guess I'll just have to buy 1 of each year until I find another gem like this one. Oh...poor me!
Serving: Although I did cellar this bottle myself for about 5 years it got better as it breathed suggesting that it could have been cellared for even longer. About 15 mins or so after opening this was a very yummy and drinkable wine. Older reviews I found stated decantering for 30-45 mins for full body. I think if stored properly this 2001 wine no longer needs that amount of time to open up. Younger vintages I'd suggest doing the decanter thing for about 30 mins.
Food: This Vina Alarba Grenache seemed VERY food friendly. While we did not get to enjoy this with a meal (just some cheese and crackers) I'm sure that it would go well with a wide variety of dishes. I would say, a pasta dish or even a good pizza would be a perfect companion for this wine.