$10 Tuesday: Go-to Garnacha

Here is another damn fine under ten dollar wine from Bodegas Borsao (Campo de Borja D.O.). We paid $8 but, I've seen it for as low as six and change.

The 2007 vintage is all about the blackberry: A hint of tobacco and stewed cinnamon stick and blackberry, blackberry, blackberry. It's super fruity but still shows best when paired with bold spicy dishes with lots of garlic. Great pizza wine!

This is my new favorite go-to eight dollar red!

$10 Tuesday: Navarra Tempranillo Garnacha

We were in the $10 section of the package store and zeroed in on some Garnacha blends. There were three or four to pick from and I picked this one. Why? That's right: It was the awesome label. I admit it. That's what the label is for... Besides, I have to photograph a lot of wine bottles so aesthetics count! But, enough justifying my purchase decisions...

I never pass up a Garnacha. I love the way the aroma of Garnacha twists toward fig and bbq peach, and the flavor is so light and easy. This Garnacha Tempranillo blend sounded like a sure bet for $10, and it was. The nose has nice dark berry fruit with a spicy mole aroma going on in the background. It has refreshing acidity, more of that deep berry mid-palate, and then a nice spicy finish--very peppery capsaicin finish. The tannins and acidity are nicely balanced and stand up to a meal.

This wine would be a great choice for tapas involving chorizo or things wrapped in bacon. It also passed my olive test: It held it's own with both the feta stuffed, and the garlic stuffed olives. We just had plain old spaghetti but, the wine inspired me to add a little chili powder and cayenne pepper to the sauce. I would serve this wine with chili too...or a nice earthy mole.

Red Guitar

DOC: Navarra
Grapes: Tempranillo %55, Garnacha 45%
Price: $9.99
Alcohol: 14%
Aromas: Blackberry, earth, peach, mole
Flavors: Blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, chili pepper


In case you couldn't tell, we liked this wine.

Bodegas Navarro-Lopez Granrojo Garnacha

We ordered this bottle to go with our tapas the other night. It had nice aromas and flavors of blackberry and perhaps a hint of blueberry. Very mellow on the palate with a hint of spice. Sorry, I can't be more detailed but, I didn't take notes. It obviously paired well with all the food we ordered that evening because we managed to polish off the bottle but, it went particularly well with the smoky chorizo stuffed poblanos in pine nut cream sauce. Suffice to say, it was good and I wouldn't hesitate to order it again.

¡Borsao!

This wine caught my eye at the Ourglass Wine Shop and was in some side bins under a sign announcing that it is a store favorite, and for $8.99 I couldn’t resist. Like a puppy at the pound, this bottle looked at me and said, “Take me home with you.”


Sometimes I find the back labels useful unless they start to smell 'off', like Marketingese. This back label was helpful. It gave basic information about the blend, the style, the D.O. and the importer.

I’m making spaghetti and meat sauce tonight and I was looking for something different than the 15 or so bottles of Italian that we have. Then I heard the same voice coming from that bottle, “Pick me!” I usually don’t pay attention to voices, (as Taster B will attest to) but this time, I decided. I’m kind of glad I did.

Established in 1980, the guarantee of origin and quality “Campo de Borja” has a wine-producing heritage rich in Garnachas. This wine is skillfully blended with Tempranillo to make a spicy, flavorful wine that makes me think I should start to listen to voices more often. The wines are made as varietals and blended after fermentation. Here’s what’s under the (synthetic) cork.


Borsao
Bodegas Borsao

Vintage: 2006
D.O. Campo de Borja
Alcohol: 14.0
Price: $8.99

Color: Ruby
Intensity: Rich medium
Aromas: Raspberry, cherry, bell pepper, earth, tar, smoke
Flavors: Boysenberry, cherry, cinnamon, clove, licorice, coffee, chocolate, nutty
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry
Tannins: Fine and silky
Finish: Moderate

Summary: Wowie-zowie! Intensely fruity, spicy wine with fine textured tannins. The tempranillo lends balance and finesse. This is great wine that I would drink now and for the next two years. It has a big wine taste without heaviness. The finish is smooth and spicy. Yea, I’m buying this one again.


I had this with spaghetti with a lighter sauce, (not my usual full blown Italian). I was Jonesing for some tapas. Some paella, lamb, pork, Moroccan, Lebanese, or fajitas, all would go well with this wine. The label says it can be enjoyed on its own, but I think it is a little too impetuous for that. Enjoy this with food. Taster B didn’t think it went well with chocolate.