Vinedos de Alcohuaz 'Grus de Alcohuaz' Mezcla Tinta 2016

The 2016 Grus is a blend of grapes, altitudes (1,720 and 2,200 meters) and places within Alcohuaz. It basically contains the grapes that are not used for any of the other wines. In general, the blends are all Syrah based, with Garnacha complemented by some other grapes. In the cool 2016 vintage, the blend is 56% Syrah, 21% Garnacha, 14% Petite Sirah and 9% Petit Verdot. All varieties except the Garnacha ferment with indigenous yeasts in open-top lagar pools. This 2016 was aged with about equal parts in 2,500-liter egg-shaped concrete vats and 1,600-liter oak foudres for 12 months, but the tendency is to remove the foudres from this blend. It's expressive and floral, with a meaty touch and a medium-bodied, soft and textured palate with great balance. The year is very evident in the wine, even if the levels of alcohol are similar to the 2017—I tasted this next to the 2017, and it was like day and night. Superb. 11,923 bottles were filled in January 2017.

A spicy and pretty wine with spice and berry character. Granite undertones. Full to medium body, linear tannins and a bright fruit finish. Mostly foot trodden. Kept in concrete eggs. A blend of syrah, garnacha, petit sirah and petit verdot. Drink now.

Oct 2016 - Very gentle and mouth-filling. Fabulous energy. Really very exciting. No rough edges at all. GV