Spain

Alejandro Fernandez Dehesa La Granja 2000

This is the third project for Alejandro Fernández of Pesquera fame. Its located in the province of Zamora in Castile-Leon; the area that was once called the “land of wine” (Tierra del Vino).  The vineyards are not quite in the D.O.s of Toro or Ribera del Duero, so the wine is marked as Vino de Mesa (table wine).

The estate was used to bread fighting bulls in the past (the training ring is still there), prior to that it was a bodega.  The ancient cellars have been fixed up and put back to use for this project.  The vines are are ungrafted, with some of the source material coming from very old vines found on the property.

The wine is all Tempranillo and sees 24 months in American oak and 6 month in bottle before release.

Deep ruby in colour.  Big, warm berry fruit to start with, blackberry and over-ripe raspberry.  A bit of a swirl sees nutty, roasted coffee beans, rosemary, sage, and a bit of tar.  The palate is a bit rustic to start, but the fruit is soft and lush. A lashing of tannin with dark berry fruits, dark chocolate and subtle oak notes.  It finishes off with a surprisingly long finish. Well balanced, very little oak impact.  Very primary, but it changed slightly in the glass:  soft, furry tannins and a bit of extra body after an hour or so. I'm in two minds on a score for this, I'm sure it would get an extra point or two with the right food. 89 Pts.

Source: Retail RRP: $40 Closure: Cork

Web: www.dehesalagranja.com