Alto Cinco

Cariñena Garnacha 2011

The 2011 vintage in Cariñena was hot and dry, with yields up to ten percent lower than average. The smaller crop gave the grapes more time to ripen on the vine, with harvest ten days later than typical. The village of Paniza enjoyed an even longer growing season than neighbors in lower, hotter elevations, with excellent flavor development in the grapes. Harvest took place from mid-‐September through the end of October. After harvest, the grapes were destemmed, crushed and fermented primarily in stainless steel tanks. Grapes from lower elevations went through a cold maceration for several days to extract aromatics and berry fruit flavors, while grapes from the higher elevations were sent directly to the fermenter for an extended fermentation to preserve the intensity of flavor in the old vine grapes. The wine was aged for 6 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels for additional roundness and texture. The wine tastes of ripe, juicy wild strawberry, red cherry and blackberry framed by supple tannins. Floral notes of violet and rose petal complement the oak notes of mocha and vanilla on the finish.Try Alto Cinco with roasted meats & poultry or hearty fish stews. With crispness and silky tannins, it’s delightful paired with tomato dishes such as classic Catalan grilled bread with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil or simply on its own. — 11 years ago