Oh, the stories that old vines tell. Are you listening? Secastilla Garnacha 2014 ($39.99) reveals a captivating tale of 100-year-old Garnacha vines, tucked away like a precious treasure, in a majestic hilltop vineyard in an ancient valley in Somontano, Spain.
I’ve visited Secastilla three times and it always feels like a fairy tale. And while every good fairy tale has a castle, Secastilla has seven -- its name, Septcastelum in Latin, was inspired by the seven castles that once dominated the landscape. The actual structures may be gone but you can feel the magnetic pull of this land that inspired the Romans to lay claim to it. There’s an undeniable magic in Secastilla’s fresh mountain air, soaring altitude, and stony soils. You can taste it in the wine.
Full of soul and spirit, Secastilla Garnacha 2014 has an impressive purity. It displays a crispness and freshness that connects directly to the flavor of a perfectly ripened Garnacha grape plucked from those hardy centenarian vines. Aged for 10 months in French oak, that time in wood beautifully enhances the flavor of the Garnacha without obscuring its essence. A beguiling balance of finesse and rusticity, Secastilla Garnacha envelops the palate with rich & juicy fruit and a tinge of spice wrapped around a stony mineral core. Delicious now, this vino has the structure and finesse needed to age gracefully. I think time will only reveal more of its charms.
Under the leadership of Viñas del Vero winemaker and manager Jose Ferrer, the 2012 vintage of Secastilla Garnacha was recognized as the best red wine in Spain at the International Wine Challenge. Jose never imagined that one day that he would make wine in the very same vineyards he wandered as a child with his father.
Secastilla is never far from my mind but my thoughts wander there with more frequency during the winter months when the cold and dark seem to be in collusion to steal my joy. A bottle of Secastilla Garnacha instantly brings me back to those blissful moments walking the vineyards and touching the gnarly old vines that yield such beautiful fruit. And I’ve had the privilege of walking that special land each time with one of my favorite winemakers, Jose Ferrer.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain, I highly recommend traveling the Somontano wine route. Located in the northeast of Spain, south of the Pyrenees on the natural border with France, Somontano produces a diverse selection of high-quality wines. In addition to the stunning natural beauty of the vineyards, the region has great shops, places to dine, and tasting rooms. Aren’t you ready to create your own Spanish fairy tale?