COMPOSITION: 50% Carinena, 35% Syrah, 15% Garnacha

REVIEWS:
'This is a brilliant offering from Montsant, the Spanish appellation that could be called the poor person's Priorato. A blend of old vine Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache planted on clay and slate soils, it reveals an inky ruby/purple color, a classic raspberry and black cherry bouquet, medium body, wonderful minerality and definition, and surprising freshness as well as intensity for its price. It should drink well for 2-4 years. 90 points.'
--Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate  (more info)

COMPOSITION: 50% Carinena, 35% Syrah, 15% Garnacha

REVIEWS:
'This is a brilliant offering from Montsant, the Spanish appellation that could be called the poor person's Priorato. A blend of old vine Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache planted on clay and slate soils, it reveals an inky ruby/purple color, a classic raspberry and black cherry bouquet, medium body, wonderful minerality and definition, and surprising freshness as well as intensity for its price. It should drink well for 2-4 years. 90 points.'
--Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

'Bright ruby. Focused, fresh and brisk on the nose, with energetic cherry and candied licorice aromas. Intense mineral notes add complexity and depth to the explosive blackberry and cherry fruit, with notes of candied violet and rose coming up on the back. Finishes with superb intensity and length. An excellent value, and built for cellaring. 90 points.'
-Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
The vineyards, located at an elevation of 1,050 ft., are comprised of the famous chalky soil called Albariza and the 40-year-old vines are trained in the goblet system and yield 1.25 t/acre (3 t/ha).

The grapes were hand-harvested on September 15th and dried on mats in the sun. Fermentation occurs in stainless-steel and is arrested by the light addition of wine spirits. It is then aged for 6 months in traditional American oak botas of 500l (133 gal.).

Production: 300 cases for the U.S.

Located in the town of Montilla, in the province of Cordoba, in the interior of Andalucia, Alvear S.A. was established by Don Diego de Alvear in 1729, and since that time has remained under control of the Alvear family. This is the oldest winery in the region and its fino is today one of the three most popular fino wines in Spain.
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