88POINTS
16/20
Santo Cristo Old Vines Garnacha 2016
Campo de Borja, Aragon, SpainGarnacha is a heat-seeking missile, so you can see why it's well suited to the warm iron-rich clays of Campo de Borja. This old vine (40 year old+) garnacha comes from the Santo Cristo Co-op, founded in 1956, and now refurbished and entirely modernized. They have 700 growers contributing more than 900ha of vineyards, though remarkably 80% of the vineyards come from only 30 growers. This saw no wood, utilizing stainless to try and preserve freshness. Concentrated dried strawberries, cherries, and raspberries is lashed with red liquorice, and riding a plump, sun-richened palate. Tannins are sticky and soft, tugging this to a spiced sweet cinnamon finish. The soils have added threads of ferrous minerality, which is really apparent in the back palate and finish. Take this bigger (14 degree) red with a slight chill.Tasted: 04 July 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:BC | $17.99 | 750ml | select private retailers |
Grape: Grenache Noir/GarnachaCSPC: 639385UPC: 8413354050539