WINE MONDAY: 2012 Las Rocas de San Alejandro, El Renegado

WINE MONDAY: 2012 Las Rocas de San Alejandro, El Renegado 150 150 David Rosengarten

2012 Las Rocas de San Alejandro, El Renegado, Calatayud, Spain ($13.99)

las-rocas-vinas-viejas-de-garnacha-370905Beautiful red wine for drinking RIGHT NOW! Calatayud is one of the least-known northern Spanish red-wine areas (about 55 miles north of Madrid)…though it’s not far from many of the more famous ones. I’ve always liked the red blends of Calatayud, with Grenache leading the way—but in a softer, more accessible way, not the Priorat way! This one, from a fabulous co-op, is a lovely medium-garnet in the glass, bright, not dark. Plummy, cherry-like nose, with hints of almonds. Gorgeous balance: the fruit flavors come through, joined by a touch of minerality—and there’s no pain in any way! Despite the fairly rich, velvety feel on the palate, alcohol seems low (though the label says 14%), and tannin is practically non-existent. What an incredible value!!! I’d strongly recommend this as anyone’s house red for the next year.

Wine4Food

And…it is a perfect wine to toast the end of grilling season! I can’t imagine what this won’t go with from the grill: from vegetables, to fish, to all manner of white and red meats.

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image: Manel/Flickr Creative Commons

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