Hit me with Spanish Red values

[Guillermo_M]

@Michae1_P0wers

I don’t know that a heavy dose of French oak is the answer either.

Definitely agree. In general, they should all dial back on the oak, and some already have, especially in the higher-end offerings. Though the whole notion that Gran Reserva is better because it spends more time in oak should be thrown out the window in both regions (just like in Chianti).

The good thing about RdD is that it has a category that allows for no oak, which IIRC Rioja doesn’t. Or if Rioja now does, RdD led the way. That allows them leeway to experiment without losing the DOC classification.

@Michae1_P0wers

Another area to consider for Spanish values and for less-oaked versions is Vinos de Madrid, for wines like Comando G and Bernebeleva. I find what is being done there interesting, and less reliant on oak, but the alcohols can be high for my taste.

I think Comando G is relatively expensive. Not a QPR play. There was a Garnacha I wanted to try from Rioja that we discussed in the posts below, but I have yet to do so.

@Marc_Hanes

2019 Bodegas Sierra de Toloño Garnacha Rioja “La Dula Garnacha de Altura”. Light and transparent violet to pinkish ruby color, very nice brightness. Dusty, close to sandy, quality to the nose, cigarette ash, crisply focused strawberry, raspberry scents, all wound around a spine of vibrant white grapefruit zest. Light-bodied, has sufficient grip it could feel bigger to some. The citrus even more pronounced here. Would characterize it as more tarry than sandy but there’s some of the latter too. While the red berry fruit has a velvety sheen the sourness makes more impact than juiciness. There seems to be an avalanche of Garnacha coming from Spain meant to show “the other side” of the grape, a more stripped down, natural, unmanipulated, yadda, yadda stripe. On the whole I appreciate their existence more than appreciate their going down my gullet. (Composite Cork: Diam5)

@Guillermo_M

Have you by any chance had the other La Dula they make, the so-called single vineyard in reviews, not the Garnacha de Altura? If so, what’s your impression compared to this one?