Alto Moncayo Garnacha 2004 (Campo de Borja)

Deep red/purple.

Integrated nose of cream, oak spice, pepper and black fruit liqueur.

Really creamy and packed in the mouth. More than enough density to cover alcohol and barrel treatment. Structure similar to the 2003, but hits later and is better buffered by density of fruit. Coats front teeth with chewy tannin.

This is all about texture, ironically (Ringland is a famous Aussie winemaker now making wines such as A.M. in the Old World) in much the same way as Marquis-Philips wines were/are. It is still not clear to me that this is "better" than Tres Picos 2004.

It seems that we arrive at a notion of complete or total complexity, which is a combination of textural "layers", aromatic and flavor complexity. The New World largely fighting from its textural strength, the Old World from aroma and flavor complexity.
Each side trying to bring an additional nuance from the area it is (comparatively) lacking. Ringland brings a texture/richness- first thinking to Old World fruit. It doesn't work as well as one might expect.

I am off-track.




$36