My review in 2021 was harsh on this wine. This is an elegant, special wine with unique character and flavors. 100% garnacha can be plain, inexpensive wine for a barbeque or something special like this with excellent grapes and a talented winemaker. The nose has big time complexity and ethereal elements, from mint, marzepan, petrol, bright cherries, stoniness and white oak. The palate is also complex with similar flavors and bright acid. Tannins are interesting to, offering some grip to the texture but not overly drying. The acid and alcohol keep the wine feeling light and elegant. The extra years helped the wine integrate. With this acid it could go many years longer.
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Ultimately a disappointment considering the price and hype. 1+ hr decant. Jammy and slight alcohol on the nose, a little vanilla as well. Lots of black cherry and jamminess on the palate, finishing with a touch of barrel spice and vanilla. Not the complexity or balance I expected from Garnacha nor a wine at this price point. Finish decently long, but I will not be purchasing this again.
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16% Deep ruby. Dried black fruits high acidity. Sesame oil. Will not guess it is a garnacha. Drink freely alone or pairing. No pressure. Perfect for all occasions.
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Wow, has this wine improved! While it was terrific before, it has begun to develop into a silky smooth, complex wine. Not since the 2012 vintage has a Moncayo wine undergone such a delightful transformation.
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What a fun and interesting wine. Appearance is dark ruby color, nose with intense dark red fruit: black cherries, grilled strawberries, black currant. Palate has mild acidity, fruit forward but then a nice tannic bite which is delayed, alcohol is high at 16%, but honestly the fruit and structure make it seem quite mellow. I really enjoyed this wine, was perfect with the steak we had for dinner. Would buy again.
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Several years since I last enjoyed Alto Moncayo’s top cuvée - this vintage w a whopping 16% ABV - completely integrated in a fine high-altitude way w excellent aromatic finesse, tension, acidity & delineated tannins - benchmark garnacha, surely. Bright & seductive ruby, fully translucent w a somewhat darkish core. Mind-bendingly, complex aromas of garrigue & violets, mixed basked of fruit - raspberries, cherries, blueberries, tad of smoke. F-bodied, great presence & depth, fresh drinkability, purity, minerality. Mouthcoating fruit, persistent, dry-grainy finish. Delicious now!
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Deep ruby colour Dry, mid acidity, high alcohol, intense aromas of red fruits, chocolate, cedar and tar, full bodied What an intense wine, 100% garnacha, still young, will evolve over the next 2-3 years for sure
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Dark cherry, chocolate and clove on the nose. Crunchy fruit and medium acidity on the palette. Medium-long finish and did feel a little boozy. Delicious regardless
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Light garnet, not not opaque with consistent color throughout. Rough poor creates purple hued bubbles. Long legs on the glass with noticeable red extract.
Aromas of dark fruit, earth, balsamic, cherry, light cedar and tobacco. Opened more after 30 minutes but the aroma was present immediately; it’s not an extremely aromatic wine but obviously present.
Black cherry is the predominant flavor with lightly bitter earthiness, black pepper, strawberry, and anise. The oak is there but not at all assertive considering the 20 months aging in new oak barrels.
Long finish with very smooth tannins considering the age and length in oak barrels. Medium plus body, medium acidity, feels light on the palate even with 16% abv.
100% Garnacha, the flagship wine of Bodegas Moncayo, this wine showcases the grape variety perfectly. While everything is balanced well and presents enough complexity to keep you considering each taste, the black cherry was a bit to prominent for me over the earthy notes I prefer.
This wine is good enough on its own but paired well with the sous vide chipotle chicken thigh tacos I had with it. It should age well over the next decade and perhaps mellow out the cherry a bit more.
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I really enjoy Spanish Garnacha and for me, this is the best QPR of the Alto Moncayo Garnacha offerings. Cherry, raspberry, dark fruit, cinnamon, and clove. A yummy wine but watch out for the 16.0 abv which will warm you up from the inside out!
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Loved this wine. Beautiful, fruity nose and inky, leggy, pour. Smooth as one could hope for with powdery tannins that beacon one back again, and again. A MUST purchase for the future!
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Medium ruby with light purple hue. The nose blasts out with floral inky pastel notes that is immediately recognizable with spanish wine. Popped and poured so some alcohol and spice still and a nutty undertone, but that really mellows out in 30 mins. Well concentrated acidity and tannins, very powerful and yet elegantly nice. So much juicy fruit with tones of cedar wood as well. This will go very well with slightly oily food.
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Similar score to the last bottle, but palate was very different. Really intense earthy and red fruit notes, none of the buttered popcorn from the previous bottle. This one went full smoothness - intense and silky with a long finish. It's a smashing bottle and at the $30 price, I'm not sure there's a more interesting wine for the money.
QPR 8.5 (of 10)
Aging 🤷♂️
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There's a lot of hype behind this wine, and is it ever justified. It's an intense, powerful, exuberant grenache. Palate is a solid core of sweet red fruit, crazy nose of buttered popcorn, and finish is long and spicy. Reminds me of a top tier (modern) CdP, but with a few twists. A real 'wow' wine. Decry the intensity or the alcohol, it is an expression of Spanish terroir.
QPR 8 (of 10)
Aging 2028 at least
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Very dark with brown tones. Big nose of oak, mint, dark cherry, alcohol. Like putting your head in a bourbon barrel. The palate has some nice quality juice but the fruit flavors are pummeled by the oak and alcohol. The wine is harsh at this stage, even on night 2. I don’t agree with any of the reviews about this being accessible early. The next bottle will need to wait 5 years or more. The Veraton is more giving and continues as my favorite from this winery.
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Gros jus qui tache, in your face et trop facile. Disons que le 16% d`alcool est trop apparent et masque tout ou presque. Résolument moderne et peu complexe, plusieurs aimeront. Je suis ailleurs et je passe!
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Ahhh, what can I say about Alto. The 2017 which was in my view "New World" was excellent, fruit forward and ready to drink while having aging potential. This 2018, is back to the original "Old World" style. Medium tannins, yummy mouthfeel, wonderful nose; the type of wine that you want to drink on a sunny afternoon. It is still very, very young yet drinkable. I still have 14 bottles left so I intend to try one every year to see how it progresses. What a wonderful wine!
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4/19/2024 - CheviotCellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
My review in 2021 was harsh on this wine. This is an elegant, special wine with unique character and flavors. 100% garnacha can be plain, inexpensive wine for a barbeque or something special like this with excellent grapes and a talented winemaker. The nose has big time complexity and ethereal elements, from mint, marzepan, petrol, bright cherries, stoniness and white oak. The palate is also complex with similar flavors and bright acid. Tannins are interesting to, offering some grip to the texture but not overly drying. The acid and alcohol keep the wine feeling light and elegant. The extra years helped the wine integrate. With this acid it could go many years longer.
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3/17/2024 - nas20 wrote: 86 Points
Ultimately a disappointment considering the price and hype. 1+ hr decant. Jammy and slight alcohol on the nose, a little vanilla as well. Lots of black cherry and jamminess on the palate, finishing with a touch of barrel spice and vanilla. Not the complexity or balance I expected from Garnacha nor a wine at this price point. Finish decently long, but I will not be purchasing this again.
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3/9/2024 - cynthiaxu Likes this wine: 95 Points
16% Deep ruby. Dried black fruits high acidity. Sesame oil. Will not guess it is a garnacha. Drink freely alone or pairing. No pressure. Perfect for all occasions.
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1/2/2024 - wicho Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, has this wine improved! While it was terrific before, it has begun to develop into a silky smooth, complex wine. Not since the 2012 vintage has a Moncayo wine undergone such a delightful transformation.
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11/18/2023 - wicho Likes this wine: 92 Points
It only gets better!
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11/8/2023 - bonedoc wrote: 90 Points
A touch Sweet, missing some depth.
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9/12/2023 - Islamabadbadbad Likes this wine: 92 Points
What a fun and interesting wine. Appearance is dark ruby color, nose with intense dark red fruit: black cherries, grilled strawberries, black currant. Palate has mild acidity, fruit forward but then a nice tannic bite which is delayed, alcohol is high at 16%, but honestly the fruit and structure make it seem quite mellow. I really enjoyed this wine, was perfect with the steak we had for dinner. Would buy again.
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7/21/2023 - JensAgo wrote:
Several years since I last enjoyed Alto Moncayo’s top cuvée - this vintage w a whopping 16% ABV - completely integrated in a fine high-altitude way w excellent aromatic finesse, tension, acidity & delineated tannins - benchmark garnacha, surely. Bright & seductive ruby, fully translucent w a somewhat darkish core. Mind-bendingly, complex aromas of garrigue & violets, mixed basked of fruit - raspberries, cherries, blueberries, tad of smoke. F-bodied, great presence & depth, fresh drinkability, purity, minerality. Mouthcoating fruit, persistent, dry-grainy finish. Delicious now!
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7/12/2023 - Mihimu Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep ruby colour
Dry, mid acidity, high alcohol, intense aromas of red fruits, chocolate, cedar and tar, full bodied
What an intense wine, 100% garnacha, still young, will evolve over the next 2-3 years for sure
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2/17/2023 - Dr. Stou Likes this wine: 93 Points
17.02.2023
👀 4.5
👃 4
👅 4.5
🏁 4
🍷 4.5 52$ SAQ 2019
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9/24/2022 - motuski Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark cherry, chocolate and clove on the nose. Crunchy fruit and medium acidity on the palette. Medium-long finish and did feel a little boozy. Delicious regardless
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8/26/2022 - RMyrick Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light garnet, not not opaque with consistent color throughout. Rough poor creates purple hued bubbles. Long legs on the glass with noticeable red extract.
Aromas of dark fruit, earth, balsamic, cherry, light cedar and tobacco. Opened more after 30 minutes but the aroma was present immediately; it’s not an extremely aromatic wine but obviously present.
Black cherry is the predominant flavor with lightly bitter earthiness, black pepper, strawberry, and anise. The oak is there but not at all assertive considering the 20 months aging in new oak barrels.
Long finish with very smooth tannins considering the age and length in oak barrels. Medium plus body, medium acidity, feels light on the palate even with 16% abv.
100% Garnacha, the flagship wine of Bodegas Moncayo, this wine showcases the grape variety perfectly. While everything is balanced well and presents enough complexity to keep you considering each taste, the black cherry was a bit to prominent for me over the earthy notes I prefer.
This wine is good enough on its own but paired well with the sous vide chipotle chicken thigh tacos I had with it. It should age well over the next decade and perhaps mellow out the cherry a bit more.
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7/19/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 92 Points
I really enjoy Spanish Garnacha and for me, this is the best QPR of the Alto Moncayo Garnacha offerings. Cherry, raspberry, dark fruit, cinnamon, and clove. A yummy wine but watch out for the 16.0 abv which will warm you up from the inside out!
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7/8/2022 - tob100 wrote: 90 Points
No decanting
The nose:
Dark berries, coffee, vanilla, chocolate.
The palate:
Black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, chocolate, coffee, vanilla.
Green touch, heat, oak.
Vibrant and fresh.
Could use an hour or 2 decanting.
90 points
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4/6/2022 - Nova5400 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Loved this wine. Beautiful, fruity nose and inky, leggy, pour. Smooth as one could hope for with powdery tannins that beacon one back again, and again. A MUST purchase for the future!
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3/16/2022 - VinoExplorer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby with light purple hue.
The nose blasts out with floral inky pastel notes that is immediately recognizable with spanish wine.
Popped and poured so some alcohol and spice still and a nutty undertone, but that really mellows out in 30 mins.
Well concentrated acidity and tannins, very powerful and yet elegantly nice. So much juicy fruit with tones of cedar wood as well.
This will go very well with slightly oily food.
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11/16/2021 - BBinSC wrote: 93 Points
Similar score to the last bottle, but palate was very different. Really intense earthy and red fruit notes, none of the buttered popcorn from the previous bottle. This one went full smoothness - intense and silky with a long finish. It's a smashing bottle and at the $30 price, I'm not sure there's a more interesting wine for the money.
QPR 8.5 (of 10)
Aging 🤷♂️
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10/22/2021 - Orange Tsian wrote: 91 Points
香气很重，又重又沉，可称甜美浓郁，野蓝莓酱，加之黑莓、黑樱桃、黑李子等黑果表象多样，除了很熟的果味外，还有黑果酱、糖渍黑果的味道，有些恣睢肆意，但也有些“笨重”，中后段有巧克力、太妃糖、奶油蛋糕、甘草、皮革、坚果、花生酱和烟草等，还带些修饰的定向等香料粉，艳丽奔放，带有香水的感觉。入口酸度高，布满舌面，单宁多，呈现细粉感，偶尔有些粗质，醒酒之后会好很多。整体是黑蓝果味为主调，浑厚浓郁顺滑，被甘草梅、巧克力、奶油、烟草和香料粉等包裹，形成一个享乐主义的甜美味觉球体，还渗透着微咸的矿物感，口中香气复杂，饱满有力，很容易享受，“快乐就好！”但是整体收放少了自如，集中和汇聚感略欠。91
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10/18/2021 - BBinSC wrote: 92 Points
First 15
Wine 7
There's a lot of hype behind this wine, and is it ever justified. It's an intense, powerful, exuberant grenache. Palate is a solid core of sweet red fruit, crazy nose of buttered popcorn, and finish is long and spicy. Reminds me of a top tier (modern) CdP, but with a few twists. A real 'wow' wine. Decry the intensity or the alcohol, it is an expression of Spanish terroir.
QPR 8 (of 10)
Aging 2028 at least
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9/5/2021 - CheviotCellar wrote: 88 Points
Very dark with brown tones. Big nose of oak, mint, dark cherry, alcohol. Like putting your head in a bourbon barrel. The palate has some nice quality juice but the fruit flavors are pummeled by the oak and alcohol. The wine is harsh at this stage, even on night 2. I don’t agree with any of the reviews about this being accessible early. The next bottle will need to wait 5 years or more. The Veraton is more giving and continues as my favorite from this winery.
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7/13/2021 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Gros jus qui tache, in your face et trop facile.
Disons que le 16% d`alcool est trop apparent et
masque tout ou presque.
Résolument moderne et peu complexe,
plusieurs aimeront.
Je suis ailleurs et je passe!
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6/1/2021 - wicho Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ahhh, what can I say about Alto. The 2017 which was in my view "New World" was excellent, fruit forward and ready to drink while having aging potential. This 2018, is back to the original "Old World" style. Medium tannins, yummy mouthfeel, wonderful nose; the type of wine that you want to drink on a sunny afternoon. It is still very, very young yet drinkable. I still have 14 bottles left so I intend to try one every year to see how it progresses. What a wonderful wine!
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3/19/2021 - ravil wrote: 87 Points
quite disappointing. 16% alcohol, ok. Couldn't realize the "complexity" and the long finish. Sorry.
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2/26/2021 - Menzies Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full body, black fruits, vanilla with a long finish. Smooth with high alcohol contents and nice complexity.
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2/20/2021 - Menzies Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious. Fruity on the nose with a long smooth finish. Hints of bubblegum.
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