Bodegas Vinae Mureri 2013 Xiloca, 750ml, $20.78+tax
Variety: Grenache
Appelation: Vino de la Tierra Ribera del Jiloca
Bodegas Vinae Mureri 2010 Oro de Xiloca, 750ml, $25.13+tax
Variety: Grenache
Appelation: Vino de la Tierra Ribera del Jiloca
The hot, dry interior of Spain is all about old, gnarly Garnacha bush vines – indeed, there is some evidence that the variety originated in the Aragon region. Here, around 1000m up on slate slopes, Jose Antonio Martin restored the old, under-appreciated vines on his family’s estate while acquiring more from neighbouring growers. Vineyard work is done manually, as the slopes are too steep for mechanical equipment, and yields are very low. Given the age of the vines – an average of 50 years old – and the care that goes into their production, these two wines represent tremendous value! The Xiloca is fermented is stainless steel and bottled without oak, producing a perfumed, juicy wine displaying aromas and flavours of spicy red fruit with a savoury, mineral note. Versatility is the name of the game here, as this wine can be enjoyed with or without food. The Oro de Xiloca comes from even older vines, and sees 4 months of barrel ageing in American oak as well as significant ageing in bottle, resulting in a richer, rounder version of Garnacha.
