When the weather turns cooler I find myself drinking more and more red wine. I still love whites and rosés but something about colder weather has me reaching for the red. This week’s Wine Wednesday pick is a red blend from Spain. Wines from Spain can offer some of the best values available and this is a perfect example. I purchased this wine for $8.99 and found it listed at several retailers for a similar price.
Coto de Hayas 2005 Crianza is a blend of 60% Garnacha (aka Grenache) and 40% Tempranillo from Bodegas Aragonesas. Located in eastern Spain, the vineyards are in the foothills of the Iberian Mountain Range in the Campo de Borja region. For Spanish wines, the term Crianza indicates that the wine has had a minimum aging in barrel of six to twelve months (depending on the region) and may not be sold until its third year. This particular wine was aged for nine months in American oak and further aged in bottle prior to release.
The wine displays a medium ruby core with a pale ruby rim. On the nose there are aromas of raspberry, black cherry, black currant, vanilla, leather, clove, dried herb and violets. The palate confirmed all the aromas and there was even a hint of coffee at the end. It has medium acidity, medium tannin, medium body, and medium alcohol. All those “mediums” combine for a wine that is generally in balance although the finish is on the short side.
Overall, this is an enjoyable wine at a very reasonable price. The Coto de Hayas 2005 Crianza was lovely on a cool fall day and would be pleasing any time of year.
