Bernabeleva "Camino de Navaherreros" Tinto Vinos de Madrid 2023

Juan Bulnes founded the Bernabeleva in 2006 and has been producing some of the best Garnacha in the Sierra de Gredos ever since. The estate is dedicated to the regions old bush-trained vines, working organically and biodynamically, and helped put Gredos on the map. These wines represent a well-kept secret, and it honestly doesn't make much sense that we can still have these bottles on the shelf for under $20, because they kick way above their price point. 

'Camino de Navaherreros' comes from several estate plots of 40-60 year old bush vines grown on the trademark Gredos granite soils. The area's high elevation provides the perfect backdrop for growing first class Garnacha - the warm, dry days are tempered by cold nights, and just enough rainfall to keep the area lush with wild herbs and grasses, it's classically Mediterranean. Grapes are hand-harvested, and given a 25 day maceration with some whole cluster inclusion in a combination of stainless steel, concrete and large wooden vats, then aged about 10 months in steel and large barrels before being bottled unfiltered.

I feel that this wine is an unsung benchmark for Spanish Garnacha. Where most assume a wine that is pure Grenache and clocks in at 14.5% abv would most likely being a big, brooding bruiser, this little guy shows us how Garnacha grown on granite at high elevations can be precise, aromatic and downright elegant. The nose is wonderfully perfumed, it smells like the fresh wild herbs grown around the vineyards, coupled with a pretty red floral element. Medium-bodied, fresh and focused, it's super easy to drink. Bright red berry fruit, Rooibis tea and a whisper of pomegranate. Kirk Sutherland