Baltasar Gracián Viñas Viejas El Héroe

The 2020 Baltasar Gracián Garnacha Viñas Viejas was produced with a selection of old vines at higher altitude in the cooler part of Calatayud. The early-picked grapes fermented destemmed but uncrushed in concrete vats and matured in oak barrels and vats of different sizes for 10 months. It's ripe without excess at 14.6% alcohol, but it's still quite marked by the élevage in oak and comes through as very spicy and smoky. It's juicy and tasty, quite showy and with round, glossy tannins. It's cleaner and more focused than the previous vintage. 50,000 bottles produced.

Tasted blind. Aromatically closed and hiding lots of things, it needs time but when it opens it shows deep black-fruit aromas, oak and attractive herbal notes such as lavender, thyme and rosemary. On the palate, it is an explosive fruit bomb; very pleasant and juicy, with lots of intensity and yummy tannins. I am sure this wine comes from the best possible fruit with enviable concentration. The palate is vibrant and fresh despite such a massive fruit charge. This is a top wine costing around €10 in Spain – what a bargain! Crazily inexpensive for the quality. VGV - Very good value.