Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/101724
REVEAL NUMBER SEVEN Las Rocas 2009 Garnacha Viñas Viejas, Calatayud, Spain ($20) In the southeastern corner of Spain's Aragon region, the air is dry and the terrain is rugged and unforgiving; yet Garnacha thrives here on steep, rocky slopes. The Calatayud region is becoming one of the most sought-after regions in the world for Garnacha. With vines as old as 80 to 100 years, and with elevation soaring as high as 3,500 feet, small clusters of fruit create intense color and lavor in the wine. E&J Gallo Our Panel's Notes "Richness, complexity and balance with spiced cranberry (great for holiday dinners) and dark cherry, powdered with a core of minerality."—Bill Brandel "Black cherry, rhubarb and cinnamon spice complement a dew-moistened rose and violet perfume. Bright tannins align with dried roses and a potpourri inish." Yolanda Diaz, Managing —Jerry Garbus Director of Las Rocas. Imported by E&J Gallo Winery REVEAL NUMBER EIGHT Baiocchi Wines & Vineyards 2009 Entre Nous, Fair Play, Sierra Foothills ($39) This blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah comes from the small estate of Greg and Sharon Baiocchi. The steep, rocky and granitic hillsides of the Sierra Foothills are their backyard and the 40-acre estate is home to 12 acres of Rhône varieties. While the inaugural 2009 vintage of Entre Nous is sold out, the Baiocchis continue to garner top scores from the national wine press. We expect to hear (and write) more about them in the near future. Our Panel's Notes "Smooth, ripe and juicy with fresh black raspberry: spicy and smooth texture with good depth and a inish that balances vanilla oak and tangy fruit." —Anthony Dias Blue "As earthy as it is fruit-forward, this is a dense, enjoyable and well-balanced Grenache with wonderful acidity that has an underscore of plum and stewed fruit." —Benny Bohm Sharon and Greg Baiocchi. january 2013 / the tasting panel / 131