Spanish Old Vine Garnacha

Zestos Old Vine Garnacha is from the DO Vinos de Madrid in the sub zone of San Martin Valdeiglesias. The region used to make bulk wines about 20 years ago that were of acceptable quality. Smaller producers starting taking the forefront on quality wines thus reducing the poorer quality wines. Today the wines are of much higher quality. These particular grapes are grown at a high elevation of 800m which creates an elegant, aromatic wine with a bright acidity. The old vines are head pruned which is a very manual and time consuming task. The soil is mainly composed of sand and limestone. The estate is a dry farmed, organic vineyards.

Compania de Vinos del Atlantico makes a wide variety of wines in throughout Spain. This particular wine, Zestos Old Vine Garnacha 2019 is made from 100% old vine Garnacha. The vines are approximately 55 years old. “Zestos” which means basket in Spanish, pays homage to the rich viticultural history of Spain. It is referencing the back-slung baskets that vineyard workers used to transport the grapes from the vineyard to the wineries on foot. The must is macerated with 30% of the skins for 6 to 8 hours which is a very short period of time. This creates a wine with a very pale orange-pink color.

The wine has lovely aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, black cherries and grapefruit. Lively acidity and flavors of watermelon, strawberry, cherry, grapefruit, floral, minerals and wet stone.

Pair with Manchego cheese, Moroccan spiced lamb, pulled pork sliders, cheese quesadillas, and pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, halibut tacos with mango salsa and grilled calamari.