Godina Garnacha 2023

Godina Garnacha is a monovarietal Grenache made by Bodegas Morca in the town of Borja, in Zaragoza, the Campo de Borja project run by Juan Gil Bodegas Familiares with Gil Vera. The region sits in the foothills of the Moncayo massif, where old Garnacha thrives on stony, often slate-rich soils under a hot continental climate, conditions that push the grape to full ripeness and the high 16 percent alcohol seen here. Fruit comes from small, low-yielding plots, picked by hand and fermented separately in small stainless steel tanks to keep parcels distinct. The wine then moves to French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation, which softens sharp malic acid into rounder lactic acid, and ages there for fifteen months, the slow oxygen exchange through the staves building structure and folding in spice and vanilla. The result is a deep, ripe and intense red, with plum and red berry fruit, liquorice, clove and black pepper over an earthy frame. The palate is full and warming, the tannins ripe, the finish long. Serve at 17 degrees after decanting. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and game.