Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Rich and velvety, this red is big but gentle, with raspberry jam, cherry pie and vanilla flavors that caress the palate. Well-integrated tannins give subtle structure, while citrusy acidity keeps this fresh. Harmonious, in a ripe, fruit-centered style. Drink now through 2026.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The pale and bright ruby colored 2018 Coto de Hayas Garnacha Centenaria is really impressively aromatic, floral, open and expressive. It had a soft vinification in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for four months, including malolactic. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins are fine and the flavors clean and focused. The wine is tasty and impressive, elegant and really pleasant. At this price, it's a real bargain. I just wish the élevage was a little more respectful with the varietal aromas, because it's still a little oaky. Today, this is the finest wine in the portfolio, and one of the best I remember from Bodegas Aragonesas.
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.