Winemaker Notes
The wines of Alto Moncayo are crafted to express the unique terroir of windswept high elevation Campo de Borja DO; and to serve as a benchmark for world class old vine Garnacha
Veraton pairs well with lamb, beef, pork, pasta and stews.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Plentiful notes of cherry blossom, red plum, cinnamon and cocoa submerge the palate which boasts vivid acidity, pliant tannins and a shiny backbone of oaky charm.
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Wine Spectator
A stylish red, fragrant with milled pepper and Earl Grey. There’s a zesty tension to the focus, with fine, taut tannins and lively acidity driving the well-meshed notes of crushed boysenberry, red currant, mocha, licorice root and loamy earth. Drink now through 2035.
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Vinous
The 2022 Garnacha Veraton Garnacha from Campo de Borja aged primarily 80% in new French and American oak. This is dominated by the barrel aging, with a nose of vanilla, sandalwood, red fruit candy and rose perfume. Creamy and structured, with acidity in line with the style, this is a rich, vigorous red in which the 16% alcohol is well integrated. It only really appears on the finish along with hints of hay.
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.