A layered Spanish red blend at an outstanding price…
Name: Monasterio de la Viñas Gran Reserva
Vintage: 2007
Producer: San José de Aguarón
Region/Country: Cariñena, Spain
Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Tempranillo, and Carignan
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO based on the blend
Cost: $17.95 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A simple, monochrome and monastic label that comes across as somewhat serious. You might need your reading glasses to make out some of the text.
Appearance: Medium ruby red.
Nose: Medium, layered nose, with dark plum, dark cherry, leather, grilled meat, black licorice, and sweet, smoky notes.
Taste: A dry, light-to-medium bodied blend, with high, drying tannins and a high degree of acidity. Primary flavours included sour cherries, cranberries, leather, white pepper, and graphite.
Finish: A long, sour finish.
Overall Impression: An interesting, layered red blend from Cariñena, Spain. We particularly enjoyed the complexity in both the nose and mouth, as well as the long, sour finish. This wine would pair nicely with grilled meats and hearty dishes, especially during cooler times of the year. At less than $18 CAD, it represents outstanding value for the money. We would definitely drink this Gran Reserva again, but given its high acidity, we might wait a few more years to give it additional time in bottle to see how it evolves.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 88/100
Value: 4.5/5