This is a really pretty wine if you don’t look at it too hard, but with asterisks for those delving deeper. I was hesitant to try because of the “Old-Vine Garnacha” on the incredible linen front label, plus the winery-applied JS91 sticker is something I avoid like the plague. Beautiful deep purple-ruby with a thin line of amber at the far rim, a nose at first sharply old-world but a glowing thick marmalade ripeness buried inside grows incredibly into thick, dark berry with copious edges of distinct mineral. The floral contained is a bit flatulent, and portions of it point strongly at manipulated ripeness. For those in the front rows–and new to my way of presenting things–that means: “Acid comes in a bag”. Remember that phrase–don’t ever forget it–and someday, if you stick around the wine-world long enough: it will come in handy.
Raggedly sweet on intake, the early blossom of richness worn decisively by raspy granulation making a black, bitter statement difficult to argue against. It dries out nicely over the middle, showing an almost-unpleasant acridity which becomes more *chewy* upon contemplation. It fades to chalky punctuality, with barely any tannin: the fruit still tooth-achingly rich as walnut-shell and salted licorice slather the palate. For a 7YO bargain, it’s hard to find too much fault with this wine. This appears to be a ridiculously huge producer, with labels running from yoga-mom juicy-fruit attraction to Castello Amorosa complications of visual fatigue. Honestly though? I’d love to taste some of their other wines.
2015 BODEGAS IGNATIO MARIN ‘Ballad’ Grenache Carinena DOP Spain 14.0
Stephen McConnell 