Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Tar and liquorice on the nose, leading to fresh, bright, lifted red cherry and ripe plum fruit and bracing acidity, held up by structured tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From the Bodegas Nekeas vineyards planted between 1890 and 1930, the El Chaparral Old Vines is always my favorite wine from this producer. Made from 100% Grenache, or Garnacha, as the winery calls it, the 2010 El Chaparral Old Vines, produced from yields of 1.25 tons per acre, possesses the classic notes of licorice, black raspberries and black cherry liqueur in a full-bodied, sexy, pure and ripe style. This is another amazing value from this winery, which any consumer attempting to maximize his or her purchase power should know by name.
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.
Just north of Spain’s famous Rioja region, Navarra excels in the production of full and fruit-dominant reds and good quality, dry rosés. Garnacha holds most of the land under vine, with Tempranillo coming in second place.