2005 Bodegas Zabrin Atteca Old Vines Garnacha

Bodegas Zabrin (Ateca) is a new joint venture between wine importer Jorge Ordoñez and the Gil family, winemakers, of the Jumilla region in Spain. The Gil family is most famed for their excellent Monastrell-based wines. Jorge has been at the forefront of many great wines imported from Spain.

The back label of the 2005 Bodegas Zabrin Atteca Old Vines Garnacha ($18), from the Calatayud region, states:

"Meticulously hand harvested clusters of fully matured Garnacha grapes were selected from only the finest hillside vineyards planted over 3,000 feet above sea level. These vineyards were planted in the last decades of the nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth centuries. Over a hundred years ago the local growers knew that the combination of poor gravelly slate soils, high altitudes, and arid conditions produced the best grapes. The wine, Atteca, produced today upholds these long held beliefs. Deep rich blackberry flavors persist on a long supple finish and are highlighted by the vibrant shimmering claret color."

The Atteca is made from 100% Old Vines Granacha Old Vines, 80-120 years, and is 14.5% alcohol. It has a dark red/purple coloring and a fruity nose. On the front palate, there is a rush of berry fruits, including raspberry and some blueberry. This led to a long finish with some spicy notes. It is a full bodied wine that fills your mouth with vibrant flavors. Its tannins are relatively mellow. I very much enjoyed this wine. It does seem more New World with its upfront fruit but it is definitely not one-dimensional. And at its price, it is a good value. Drink & Buy!

This would be a good food wine too. It would probably go well with game like duck or venison. It might even go with steaks. It is a bigger wine so probably would not go as well with fish or even poultry. Though all depends on the specific recipe.