Winemaker Notes
Opaque red-black. Scarlet rim. The wine opens to an amalgam of minerals and unctuous super-ripe berries. On the palate the wine is deep, rich and ripe. Black fruits (cherries, plums) give way to hints of liquorice, molasses, and a hint of cinnamon. Solid tannins and focused acidity with a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Plush in texture and mouthwatering, this expressive red offers a pure beam of cassis and black plum fruit as well as a pretty display of licorice, medicinal herbs, mocha and spice. Full-bodied and well-knit, with sleek tannins and the tang of orange peel acidity defining the racy finish. Drink now through 2030.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja Moncayo is distinctive and generous on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine excels with aromas and flavors of red fruit and oaky notes. Enjoy it with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: March 22, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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.
Campo de Borja DO sits in the northwest province of Zaragoza (Aragon, Spain) south of Rioja and north of Cariñena. Since this area acquired DO status in the 1980s, it has gradually shown its own unique identity. Campo de Borja’s winegrowing history and heritage is rich in relation to Garnacha; the oldest vineyards in the DO date back to 1890. Furthermore, of the almost 4,000 hectares of this variety, more than 2,000 are between 30 and 50 years old.
Most production continues to be reds, and the number of crianzas and reservas is growing. Though less common, they produce white wines as well. Today, both red and rosé wines have won the respect of experts, and the intensely fruity, young red wines enjoy significant commercial success. The principal white grape varieties are Macabeo, Moscatel, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo. The principal red grape varieties include Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Syrah, Mazuela, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.