Bodegas San Alejandro Garnacha Calatayud las Rocas Viñas Viejas 2010

In the meantime, 2008 was a somewhat challenging vintage and, as a result, 60% of the juice meant for the old-vine cuvee went into the 2008 Las Rocas Garnacha. Purple colored, it delivers a smoky, spicy, black cherry perfume leading to a soft, easy-going, savory wine meant for drinking over the next 4 years. As usual, it is an excellent value. The Las Rocas brand was purchased by E. amp; J. Gallo from Eric Solomon, its creator and importer, in 2009. For the moment Solomon remains in charge of the selection but in the future production is certain to rise significantly. Hopefully the quality of the wine will remain unchanged.

This is the second vintage for the ambitious project of importer Eric Solomon, who discovered these ancient high altitude Grenache vineyards (70ndash;100 years old), and brand named his offerings Las Rocas. The 2003 Grenache has just been released, and itrsquo;s another winner. Moreover at $8 a bottle, itrsquo;s a steal. Aromas of sweet black cherries, raspberries, pepper, and loamy soil soar from the glass of this medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, personality-filled red. Soft tannin and good depth suggest drinking over the next 1ndash;3 years is warranted.

The unoaked 2005 Las Rocas Garnacha is sourced from low yielding vineyards ranging in age from 70ndash;100 years. It gives up attractive aromas of kirsch, raspberries, pepper, and damp earth. This is followed by a broad, full-flavored wine with a supple texture and no hard edges. Drink this pleasure-packed wine over the next 2ndash;3 years.

In the meantime, 2008 was a somewhat challenging vintage and, as a result, 60% of the juice meant for the old-vine cuvee went into the 2008 Las Rocas Garnacha. Purple colored, it delivers a smoky, spicy, black cherry perfume leading to a soft, easy-going, savory wine meant for drinking over the next 4 years. As usual, it is an excellent value.

The 2002 Garnacha is fashioned from 75-year old Grenache vines planted on pure slate. Sixty percent was aged in tank, and 40% in neutral wood foudres. There are 20,000 cases of this offering, which may be the greatest wine value I have ever tasted. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with melted licorice and white flowers, this deep, medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven, sumptuously-textured 2002 is loaded. It should drink well for 3ndash;4 years, possibly longer.

Deep ruby. Inky cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice and graphite on the nose; this is the bouquet of a $30 wine. Deep, concentrated dark fruit flavors show impressive sweetness, with complicating mineral and spice notes adding interest. The minerality on the finish provides support to the dense, sweet cherry and blackcurrant flavors. This is a ridiculous bargain.

The grapes for Las Rocas are sourced from high altitude 70- to 100-year-old Garnacha vineyards. The 2006 Las Rocas Garnacha is dark crimson-colored with an alluring nose of spice box, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Smooth-textured, round, and with no hard edges, this tasty effort is designed for immediate gratification. This is one worth buying by the case.