2017 Alta Alella GX

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Summer Reds, 6/18/2018, (See more on Full Pull...)

  (Alta Alella Garnatxa) Hello friends. We love to talk about seasonally appropriate wines. This time of year, we usually fill your inboxes with killer deals on rosés from Europe and the newest pink juice from Washington; we sling Vinho Verde and Txakoli; we salivate over Sancerre and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. In the hustle and bustle of summer’s favorite wines, the category of red wine quickly gets forgotten about. But there is something to be said about a perfect summer red—a quaffable bottle that’s juicy with fruit, bright with acidity, and even better with a light chill. After all, Summer is the season of the grill, and what better pair is there than red wine with your perfectly grilled rib eye? You don’t have to miss red wines just because it’s hot out. There are plenty of wines that are just waiting for long sunny days and nights on the patio. Today, we have three reds to get you through the next few months of camping, boating, picnicking, grilling, and so much more.Alella is the closest appellation to the city of Barcelona. Located just steps outside the city, the history of this wine-producing region goes back to 3rd century BC and Roman rule. For centuries, Alella was a bustling wine region, until it went the way of many European agricultural areas and was almost 100% decimated by phylloxera. It has been slowly growing back ever since with the help of the families in the region and dedication of the farmers. Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets and his wife Cristina Guillén began growing grapes in 1991, primarily planting traditional grapes of the region. Their winery, Alta Alella, has alway operated with organic farming–mostly seen as a sign of respect for the land around them. The estate is surrounded by Serralada de Marina Natural Park, and the family takes incredible pride in respecting the neighboring wildlife. The site is breathtaking—set high above the Mediterranean, this is a winery to visit if you’re ever in Barcelona (they even have a visitor center, which makes it approximately 1000% easier to visit than most European estates). Alta Alella’s Garnatxa (100% Grenache) feels incredibly true to the region. Growing along the Mediterranean Sea has made this grape vibrant, lively, and fresh. This wine pours ruby and opens with juicy plums and raspberries, violets, pepper, and sun-drenched granite. The palate is energetic and dynamic—surging with berry fruit, blood orange acidity, and a touch of pepper spice. Its vibrancy leads the way, the perfect pairing for a large array of summer food, but grilled meats and sticky BBQ would especially shine.