Wine of the Week

 

Alto Moncayo Garnacha/Campo de Borja, 2002

Robert Parker says: The 2002 Alto Moncayo, which was bottled unfiltered after spending more than a year in both French and American wood, displays a dense purple color, a fragrant bouquet of raspberries, black cherries, smoke, and grilled meats, a full-bodied texture, impressive levels of concentration, sweet tannin, and a blockbuster finish. This beauty should drink well for 5-7 years. Australian winemaker Chris Ringland oversees the winemaking at this estate, a superb new discovery by broker Jorge Ordonez. This full-throttle, robust, exuberant, super-concentrated 100% Grenache offering may be the finest wine to ever emerge from this backwater Spanish appellation. 93 Points.

The Dabbler says: Delicious! Pair it with your Thanksgiving feast (though one reader tells me it's a little 'hot' right now, for what it's worth). Considering that this is the first vintage for this winery, they're off to a fantastic start.

Best price at the Wine Libary in New Jersey and PJ Wine in New York, where it's currently on sale for $28.99 a bottle. In Los Angeles, find it at Wine House, John and Pete's, and Costa Mesa's Hi-Time Cellars in the mid to high $30s.