Cruz de Piedra Las Navas 2001

Robert Parker Jr. recently wrote that one of his great predictions would be the rise of Spain as the next worldwide shining star. Myself being Spanish, I always believed it was just a matter of time before this happened. Anyone looking around the diversity of regions, climates and terroir in Spain coupled with great artistic winemakers who are willing to push new boundaries sooner or later you will end up making world class wines. This particular wine comes from Calatayud, a relatively new area in Spain that is starting to challenge the more established areas. Made from 60 year old vine Garnacha (Grenache) harvested from high altitude vineyards and minimalistic winemaking had made a massively concentrated wine with enormous power and muscle, aged in oak for 5 months therefore letting the true expression of the Garnacha express itself. On the palate it shows dark cherry with hints of roasted pine nuts, liquorice and spice finishing with a great expression of purity. Basically you would expect to pay over $40 for a wine of this quality but another advantage is that Spain offers wonderful value for money wines.