Two wines side by side, same vintage, same region, both under $20. But my idea was to introduce a grape variety that produces very fresh, juicy wines – the kind you can bring as a guest to dinner and enjoy thoroughly.
Garnacha is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world, with its origin in Spain’s Calatayud region. It ripens late, so it requires hot, dry conditions. It is also grown in the Italian island of Sardinia (Cannonau), the south of France (Grenache), Australia, and California’s Monterey AVA, Paso Robles, and San Joaquin Valley.
Bodegas San Alejandro Garnacha Calatayud Las Rocas 2018 
One look at the label and you might think the vines are growing in rocks…well, not too far off. These vines actually grow in loose, unconsolidated gravel, characteristic of the region.
The wine showed great promise as it was poured, with a deep ruby color and rich blackberry aromas, accompanied by a hint of licorice. The flavor profile was slightly less expressive, featuring smoky dark berries and very soft tannins, leading to a clean and lively finish. This is a very good wine for the price.
$12.
Breca Garnacha 2018 – Traditional dry-farmed viticulture. Organic gobelet trained vines.
I recently tasted the 2019 vintage, and this 2018 bottle was marked as a “bin end” at my local wine shop. Knowing how much I enjoyed the ’19, I decided to grab it.
The wine had a vivid ruby color and aromas of black and blue fruits, with oaky spice notes and hints of minerality. It was juicy, expressive, and exploded with flavors of cherry and vanilla. The wine was full-bodied with a beautiful mouthfeel, boasting excellent tannins and a spicy floral finish. It had spent 18 months in French oak casks, making it a bit more intense than the Las Rocas, but still an excellent value for such an elegant wine.
$18.