2015 Veraton

From vines planted in the 1970s and 1980s, the entry-level 2015 Veratón is pure Garnacha fermented in stainless steel tanks with neutral yeasts and aged in mostly new (and 20% used) French and American oak barrels for 16 months. It's a good representation of the house style, with a heady and ripe nose, generous spice and smoke and a warm finish. It's full-bodied, concentrated and very balsamic but is also the more balanced and approachable of the offerings here. The fruit is black, and there are plenty of sweet spices and smoke. The palate is full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with pungent and generously oaked flavors. As Parker said, it is not for consumers looking for shy, restrained and delicate wines; it's clearly for fans of the style. 112,800 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.

The 2015 Alto Moncayo Veraton is the entry level effort yet offers serious bang for the buck. Made from 100% Garnacha from vineyards in Tabuenca and aged in a mix of French and American oak, it gives up terrific notes of blackberries, currants, toasted spices and dried flowers. Possessing beautiful purity of fruit, a full, layered mid-palate, integrated oak, and a great finish, it’s a smoking good Grenache to enjoy over the coming 4-5 years.