Sierra de Toloño
La Dula Garnachas de Altura
La Rioja, Spain
Making Arroz con Pollo, so this seems appropriate. I love seeking out Garnachas in Rioja, since I love the terroir but am not a huge Tempranillo fan. The very slight fizziness on pop’n pour and the hint of funk on the nose suggests natty or near-natty methods. Earth and a little barnyard accompany tart mountain red berries, cherries, and pomegranate. The slight barnyard carries through on the palate, with a leather note enveloping the cherry fruit. The tannins are young but not so dominant that they detract. Acidity is medium. Very distinctive wine. It will be interesting to how it develops over the next couple of hours (i.e., will it go deeper into the farm or shake it off and show more fruit character).
Making Arroz con Pollo, so this seems appropriate. I love seeking out Garnachas in Rioja, since I love the terroir but am not a huge Tempranillo fan. The very slight fizziness on pop’n pour and the hint of funk on the nose suggests natty or near-natty methods. Earth and a little barnyard accompany tart mountain red berries, cherries, and pomegranate. The slight barnyard carries through on the palate, with a leather note enveloping the cherry fruit. The tannins are young but not so dominant that they detract. Acidity is medium. Very distinctive wine. It will be interesting to how it develops over the next couple of hours (i.e., will it go deeper into the farm or shake it off and show more fruit character).
Sep 21st, 2025
super bright garnacha. beautiful bright color.
super bright garnacha. beautiful bright color.
May 14th, 2025
N: insane stewed strawberries, like compote, but it’s dirty, speaking of earth, brambles, mineral.
P: Bright red and super cleansing. You know it’s Garnacha and you know it’s not southern France. Syrupy at first then after a while out, almost cutting, spicy with orange and cinnamon on the edges.
Delicious, I believe I gave a 9 last time. I think it merits 9.2.
Suggested by Kerri @Sokolin
. The grapes came from high altitude, organically farmed vineyards (700 meters) in the Rivas de Tereso zone, with an average age of 70 years-old. The Atlantic micro-climate, the elevation and the high content of limestone in the soils all but assured a fresh, electric wine. Spontaneous fermentation in old used foudres, and elevage in clay amphorae. No filtration, no clarification, sulfur at 12 ppm.
N: insane stewed strawberries, like compote, but it’s dirty, speaking of earth, brambles, mineral.
P: Bright red and super cleansing. You know it’s Garnacha and you know it’s not southern France. Syrupy at first then after a while out, almost cutting, spicy with orange and cinnamon on the edges.
Delicious, I believe I gave a 9 last time. I think it merits 9.2.
Suggested by Kerri @Sokolin
. The grapes came from high altitude, organically farmed vineyards (700 meters) in the Rivas de Tereso zone, with an average age of 70 years-old. The Atlantic micro-climate, the elevation and the high content of limestone in the soils all but assured a fresh, electric wine. Spontaneous fermentation in old used foudres, and elevage in clay amphorae. No filtration, no clarification, sulfur at 12 ppm.
First time w this.
N:Dirty roses, cherries,
far off something ineffable, Spanish wood, soil, rocks?
P: Strawberries, but dark musky ones,
some barnyard funk, bright acidity,
The impression of weight yet refreshing.
Minimal intervention, Rioja de Altura.
14°
First time w this.
N:Dirty roses, cherries,
far off something ineffable, Spanish wood, soil, rocks?
P: Strawberries, but dark musky ones,
some barnyard funk, bright acidity,
The impression of weight yet refreshing.
Minimal intervention, Rioja de Altura.
14°
