Isabel Galindo, winemaker for Las Moradas de San Martín
My recent Instagram Live chat with Isabel Galindo, winemaker for Las Moradas de San Martín, inspired me to give her a nickname: La Reina de Garnacha (Queen of Garnacha.) Isabel makes Garnacha that sings in the glass. There's nothing generic about the wines of Las Moradas. Made from old-vine Garnacha, with some vines more than 100-years-old, the wines of Las Moradas tell a story of terroir and winemaking that respects nature. Located just one hour from Madrid, Las Moradas is an oasis that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. I visited Las Moradas in 2017 and it is a treasure.
Isabel describes Las Moradas Garnacha as "wines that grow"; they may seem a bit timid in the beginning, but they open and reveal the fullness of their personality as you sip. Watch our conversation on IGTV, YouTube, or below to learn more about the wines of Las Moradas de San Martín, Isabel's tasting notes, and her pairing suggestions. Hint: you may want to get some delicious Jamón Ibérico!
During our chat, we tasted Senda 2016 ($15.99) and Initio 2013 ($12.99). Don't let the affordable prices fool you; these organically-farmed old-vine Garnacha wines have integrity and really over-deliver. Senda is fresher and younger, but hints of herbs and a perceptible minerality add an elegant structure to its bright red fruit flavors. Initio takes it up a notch; it is richer and more complex, with layers of red & black fruit, herbs, licorice, graphite and cocoa, but it is not a heavy wine, and lively acidity keeps Initio soaring. Tasting them side-by-side is a delicious lesson in detecting the nuances of wine and understanding the expressive range of Garnacha.
