Bodegas Piqueras Almansa Los Losares Garnacha Tintorera 2021

 

Deep red in color with a light brown hue. A powerful aroma with ripe notes, jammy fruit, coconut, and vanilla. The full, smooth flavor lingers long and finishes with mild tannins and an aromatic finish.

 

The talented Juan Pablo Cantos, who previously worked at the renowned Vega Sicilia, was given free rein to create top-quality wines from Bodegas Piqueras' oldest, non-irrigated vineyards. Juan Pablo selected the highly calcareous "Los Losares" plot.

The 80-year-old, untied Garnacha Tintorera vines are still planted here on their original rootstocks (pie franco). Due to the high altitude, the grapes ripen more slowly and develop greater finesse and complexity. Juan Pablo therefore only harvested the grapes in mid-October, naturally by hand. After the two fermentations, the wine was aged for 14 months in luxury French Allier oak barrels.

Producing such top-quality wines is a significant development for Almansa. Most producers here produce wines of modest quality and therefore miss out on connecting with lovers of fine Rioja and Ribera del Duero. However, the relatively unknown Almansa region does have the potential for superb wines. This (lack of) familiarity plays a crucial role in the price of a bottle of wine. True connoisseurs who look beyond the familiar names on the label benefit from this. Buying such quality elsewhere costs at least twice as much.

The Los Losares is dark-colored and has a beautiful aroma of ripe black fruit and luxurious oak. The full, ripe, and smooth flavor comes through fully and has enough tension to pair well with grilled meats or rich stews. Thanks to its velvety-smooth flavor, this Almansa is also fantastic to enjoy outside of the meal.