Las Rocas Garnacha, Vinas Viejas, Catalayud (Spain) 2003

Deep red.

Forward, slightly musky/boring fruit aromas, with cool stuff (citrus/spice/nuts) lurking in the background. Thankfully expressed more as the wine airs. All kinds of stuff now - mint, peanut, black raspberry, orange zest and meat. Floral action too. I'm reminded of killer Aussie Grenache.

Very intense, neither round nor sweet, citrus peel vivacity that will not let up. Spicy tomato and a hint of garrigue, but really driven by strong acidity and moderate tannin. Coats the front teeth in citrus chew. Crazy, intense action. Will this develop complexity in the mouth? Long finish finally reveals the pepper side of citrus.

Day 4 - All black raspberry, nut liqueur and earth on the nose now. Doesn't suck. Then intense citrus peel flavor in the mouth with corresponding citrus chew coating the front teeth. This is almost abrasive in its citric intensity - some folks will shoot a nasty biscuit - but I think it rocks.

$16, major deal.