Aragón Grenache Tasting at El Grifo tavern, León

Aragón Grenache Tasting at El Grifo, Plaza del Grano, León, Spain. 

On a cool summer night, and in a georgeus framework as Plaza del Grano, we had the  opportunity of tasting some of the most interesting grenache wines from the region of Aragon (Northeastern Spain). At El Grifo, one of the most charming taverns of the city of León, both wineries, Bodegas Borsao and Alto Moncayo, ( from Campo de Borja wine Region), they held an amazing tasting wine.

f there is something that could characterise to these sort of wines, this is their love for Grenache grape. They are powerful, impressive, with a high alcohol rate; and at the same time, they have a superb value for money price. Strong cheeses from León to be paired.  Although from my point of view, for certain types of cheese, white and sweet wines are better to be paired.

To start with, Selection Borsao 2013, a young coupage from Grenache, Syrah and Temparanillo grapes. It looks violet color of his own youth, and shown limpid and unctuous at the same time. It is a very fruity wine with aromas of black plum, cherry, and even flowers, easy to drink despite its high alcohol (14.5 °). Marked acidity that makes it a lively wine.

Berola Borsao 2010 to continue. Presents a covered cherry red. Aromas of candied fruit, vanilla and cinnamon. It is a surprisingly long wine to drink slowly. Powerful on the palate, it has a good balance between acidity, wood and fruit. It is a very round wine, and must be decanted to appreciate it in its entirety. Great value for money price. (Less than 20 dollars per  bottle).

2102 Tres Picos, a wine grape Grenache 100% is the following. Cherry red color well covered with violet tones. It is very creamy. Ripe fruits and wood very present. Spicy, it has a very strong finish. A wine mainly to pair with strong dishes, and red meat.

And to finish with Veraton 2010 by Bodegas Alto Moncayo. It is another 100% Grenache that has been aging 18 months in French oak barrels. A very dark color, and very creamy. Aromas reminiscent of candied fruit and soil. This wine fills the palate with a strong aftertaste where you can see her strong mineral tones. It is a wine with high alcohol rate (15.5 º) that can be drunk as a generous, a full-bodied wine, after dessert, or even to accompany them. Like the above, it should be decanted.