Garnacha, Gredos and Granite soil. What more do you want?

Spanish high-altitude Garnacha is my most striking recent discovery in the world of wine. I can still fondly remember the 2021 La Bruja de Rozas from Comando G that I had on a sunny autumn day after coming back from a wine trip in 2024. Since then I've had the opportunity to try even more producers and I quickly grew attached to these wines from Spain.

The Rozas 1er Cru marks a step up from their entry level La Bruja de Rozas. Here we have grapes that were sourced from different vineyards around the village of Rozas. On average, these vineyards sit at over 900 metres. Here the soil consists mostly of decomposed granite and the vines profit from the high diurnal temperature shift of a continental climate. Spontaneous fermentation, stems included, and then aged for a year in large oak barrels.

I opened this wine last Saturday to enjoy it with my brother. Therefore, I aerated it for about 2 1/2 hours. We drank half of the bottle; it then sat in the fridge until Thursday, when I collected my tasting notes. The wine starts with tart red fruits like strawberry, red currant and raspberry. A more savoury side shines through a few moments later, showing notes of garrigue, black tea, cured meat and pepper. Towards the end, I then smell wet rocks and orange peel. On the palate, I get more tart red fruit with savoury notes and minerality coming through soon after. Very fresh acidity and medium structured tannins. The finish then shows notes of black tea, crushed rocks, red flowers and garrigue.

Taut and ethereal, this is my jam. The wine at parts feels utterly weightless despite its 14% of alcohol. What I probably love the most about it is the interplay between tart red fruit, savoury nuances and striking minerality that characterizes most of the wine. I'll probably never get enough of this stuff…