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Bodegas San Valero Cabeza Casa Garnacha 21
$12.99
Super-tasty best buy Garnacha
In stock
Product Details
Brand: Red Blend - Europe
I love French wine— that's certainly no secret if you know me, or regularly read my newsletter. French wine is the usual go-to for Hammond and me, and its wealth of style, structure, and nuance seems everlasting. I'm equally smitten with Spain -- yes, it's true. The sheer range and depth of Spanish wine, from windswept mountain reds to snappy coastal whites, always keeps things interesting. Even better: Spain still offers a ton of real value in these "interesting" times.
A quick side note, I'm excited to report that I have some of my personally sourced Spanish wines heading our way—both old favorites, and new additions. You'll see them landing over the next few weeks. While we patiently wait for my selection to hit port, let's start with a terrific best buy from one of our regional supply partners: Bodegas San Valero's Cabeza Casa Garnacha from Cariñena in Aragón.
Aragón sits in Spain's northeast, inland from the Mediterranean, where vineyards climb plateaus and foothills with the oh-so-important day-night temperature swings and the dusty-dry Cierzo wind keeping vines healthy. Cariñena is one of Spain's oldest protected regions (DO status dates to 1932), with vineyards roughly 400–800 meters up on poor, stony soils—perfect for expressive Garnacha.
Garnacha is Spain's name for the grape the French call Grenache; same variety, different accents. In Cariñena, you get a pretty broad representation of the varietal—from bright, younger-fruited styles to deeper, old-vine intensity—notably with a beam of cherry, herb, and subtle spice. Winemaking ranges from fresh, stainless-aged bottlings to oak-expressive versions; either elevage, the region's elevation, and the Cierzo are the key to keeping the wines lifted and lively.
Bodegas San Valero is a historic Cariñena cooperative founded in 1944, born from a group of local growers who pooled vineyards and know-how. Eight decades on, the co-op currently stewards 3600 hectares with hundreds of member families, deftly blending large scale viticulture and traditional winemaking with modern innovation. Once again, it's an example of how a well-run Coop with long history and a deep grower base routinely overdelivers for the price.
How does this Garnacha relate to the Grenache you love from France—and to Cannonau from Sardinia I wrote about last week? Same grape, but once again, it's the place that matters. Grenache from the Southern Rhône often leans into sun-warmed red fruit and garrigue; Sardinian Cannonau can feel a touch riper on the palate, and the finish leans toward Mediterranean herbs. Cariñena's elevation and wind give its Garnacha a bit more lift and spice—think more definition, stony energy, and a friendly whisper of pepper.
In your glass, Cabeza Casa lands in the "juicy-but-focused" red wine lane. It's a melange of black cherries, a touch of blackberry, a persistent beam of dried herbs, and a light shake of black pepper. Tannins are present without getting in the way of the clean and persistent finish, making it an easy Tuesday-night pour and a perfect pick for parties.
For pairings, look toward classic Aragón comfort fare, especially roast lamb (ternasco), grilled chorizo, or a mushroom-heavy rice. It's also terrific with burgers dusted with Spanish smoked paprika, wood-fired pizza, any BBQ, and for a veggie treat, go with roasted squash with cumin and a sprinkle of chili-based heat. If you're feeling adventurous, try Berbere-spiced lamb skewers, chicken or pork Vindaloo, or grilled portobellos with smoky paprika. This Garnacha's ample fruit and super-gentle grip keep the spice and heat from overwhelming the palate.
Why is this such a great value right now? Cariñena doesn't carry the name cache and subsequently the add on marketing tax of splashier appellations. A well-run co-op like San Valero can deliver excellent quality on a large scale. Bottles like Cabeza Casa Garnacha can commonly land in the mid-teens, making today's local pricing hard to beat for authentic, place-driven Garnacha in today's tough times.
Bodegas San Valero Cabeza Casa Garnacha 21
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