Vinos del Viento La Ermita de Santa Bárbara Garnacha 2017

The top Garnacha is the 2017 La Ermita de Santa Bárbara, produced with grapes from a vineyard in the village of Tabuenca in Campo de Borja, low-yielding 50-year-old vines on red soils. The grapes fermented with some full clusters and indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in second and third use 225-liter French oak barrels for 14 months. It is ripe but feels fresher than the 2016 I also tasted next to it, like there's an evolution toward more freshness and balance, even if the alcohol is higher in this low-yielding and concentrated vintage. The nose combines ripe berries and spices, a touch of smoke and earth, and the palate is full-bodied, juicy, voluptuous and generous with a slightly warm finish. It needs powerful food. 2,024 bottles and 19 magnums were filled in October 2019.