Bodegas Ateca Atteca Armas 2007
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Robert
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100% Garnacha (Grenache). The grapes used for this wine are a result of a very careful selection, based on low yield (less than 1T/Ha), of the best old vines from a single vineyard of 6.2 Ha planted in 1909 located high on the hillsides, 3,000 ft above sea level, near Calatayud. The vineyard is planted in principally decomposed slate and is dry grown. The extreme weather conditions and very little rainfall (around 350ml per year) in the region makes the plants roots to grow down to 30 feet in order to obtain moisture. Extremely careful hand harvesting of perfectly mature clusters with good sanitary conditions and additional selection made in the winery using a sorting table. 18 months in new French oak barrels.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Potent, deep and lush, with minty aromas and a lot more wild berry and tobacco than anything crisp or piquant. The palate is lush and packed full of ripe berry and black plum, while the finish is spirited, ripe, full and lusty. A rich, dark style of wine for modern palates. Ready now and over the next two years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The grapes for the 2007 Atteca Armas were sourced from a 13 acre hillside vineyard planted in 1909. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays an enticing nose of pain grille, pencil lead, violets, plum, and black cherry. Structured and dense on the palate, this savory, full-flavored effort will evolve for 2-3 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2012 to 2022.
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Wine Spectator
Offering supple tannins and bright acidity, this lively red delivers a mouthful of sweet cherry, cranberry, vanilla and toast, while herbal accents keep it all grounded. Drink now through 2014. 500 cases imported.
Other Vintages
2017-
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Robert
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Bodegas Ateca was founded just outside the town of Ateca, Calatayud by the Gil Family in 2005. The focus is cultivating old-vine Garnacha, some dating back to the early 20th century, on slate-based vineyards at about 3,000 feet above sea level, some of the highest vineyards in the region. Clay loam deep below the rocky slate allows the vines to obtain moisture and the vineyards to be dry-farmed, lending to low-yields, intensity and structure.
The vines are bush-trained, dry-farmed, hand harvested and farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides. The wines are fermented in stainless steel before being transferred to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Famous for the robust and earthy, black-fruit dominated, Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France), Jumilla is an arid and hot region in southeastern Spain. Its vine yields tend to be torturously low but this can create wines of exceptional intensity and flavor. Quality combined with accessible price points give the region great recognition on international markets far and wide.
The reds from Jumilla are heady and spicy, packed with fruit and show aromas of dried licorice and herbs. If you like Syrah, Grenache or Pinot noir, a red wine from Jumilla would be a perfect next choice!