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

Red/purple.

Deep cherry/kirsch aromatics, with hints of citrus, garrigue/earth and oak(?) spice. Seems to have more layers on the nose than the Tres Picos, but the latter wine has greater purity.

Suave and deep in the mouth, with tannin providing a good bit of the structural impact. Nice sweetness in the mouth. This could easily get lost in a southern Rhone tasting. Citrus shows in the mouth here, too, but spicy cherry action keeps up with it.

From what I've seen, citrus is a Spanish Garnacha characteristic. I can't remember getting citrus from French Grenache-based wine.

Absurd value, but that's hardly news.

Day 4 - Citrus front and center now, aromas and flavors. Pungently so. Retains a garrigue character and a seamlessness that differentiate it from the Tres Picos. This will be around for years.

$15