El Mondongo Old Vine Garnacha 2015 (Spain)

Description

The fruit for this wine was grown on up to 77-year-old vines.

"The nose is unbelievably herbal and spiced, very complex bouquet (thyme, rosemary, medicinal herbs). The fruit is below the herbal layers; it has an elegant and fragrant expression. This is a classy Garnacha style – fresh, delicate and far removed from the orthodox powerful style. The fruit and the tannins are extremely mellowed. It is a Burgundian style of Garnacha. Like entering a herbal remedy store! This is at the pinnacle of delicacy for Garnacha. Amazing!" JancisRobinson.com

Wildly aromatic with notes of wild red fruits and spice. The Syrah brings flesh and freshly ground pepper to the mix, whilst the subtle seasoning of Moristel, Garnacha Blanca and Bobal (locally known as Provechon) add gentle notes of lemon thyme and other Mediterranean herbs (ajedrea). A classic field blend from 5 parcels that redefines the concept of Old Vine Garnacha in Aragón.

This wine is the result of blending four old vineyards planted mostly to Garnacha and a few other grape varieties plus a fifth plot planted to Syrah. Profound and captivating wild herb (thyme, scrubland and chamomile) aromas. The palate is fruit-driven and refined with a lovely enveloping texture. A real must for Garnacha lovers. Interesting to note that the wine is aged in egg-shaped tanks, not oak.

El Mondongo - Literally means “the guts, the insides”.  When the winemakers ferment their single vineyards they use all the parts and parcels. In the case of the 2015 vintage they have assembled a blend of 5 separate vineyard parcels to create an aromatic synergy between old vine Garnacha, Syrah and other indigenous varieties such as Moristel, Bobal and Garnacha Blanca. Spontaneous fermentation in open top fermenters, hand plunging and no pumping whatsoever to maintain a gentle extraction. Aged sobre lías for 18 months on fine lees in a mixture of 875 to 1000 litre eggs before assembling and final bottling with no fining or filtration. The Syrah brings flesh and freshly ground pepper to the mix, whilst the subtle seasoning of Moristel, Garnacha Blanca and Bobal (locally known as Provechon) add gentle notes of lemon thyme and other Mediterranean herbs.

The fruit for this wine was grown on up to 77-year-old vines.