Location
From its privileged location in the highestpart of the town of Borja (500m above sea level) can be seen theSantuario de la Misericordia (Shrine of Mercy) and La Muela de Borja to thenorthwest, with the Ebro Valley and the Pyrenees to the north, the Sierra deTabuenca and Huecha valley to the south-east, while to the south-west in theforeground can be seen El Moncayo, which is the highest point in theIberian Mountain Range (2,315m); this gives its name to the winery.
Climate
This closeness of Moncayo, iswhat gives the area a cool, dry continental climate, influenced by the Atlanticin the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer, with different microclimatesdepending on the altitude at which the vineyard is located. Thus, averagerainfall may be 250 mm/year in the lower ranges and 350 mm/year in the higherareas of Tabuenca; hardened by the prevailing wind from the north-west, called“El Cierzo”, which accelerates evaporation from the low rainfall areas.
Soil
The soil where these old strains ofGarnacha are located is on the foothills glacis or slopes of the mountainsof Ainzón, Fuendejalón and Tabuenca; very stony, with slightly rounded edges oflimestone or marl, dolomite, quartzite and slate. These are highly permeablesoils that allow the water to seep into the deeper layers of clay.
The garnacha grape is one of thevarieties that best expresses its terroir. Thus, the Garnacha of Alto Moncayois different from the rest of the Campo de Borja Denominación de Origen (DO)area. This is due to the very strict selection made from the vineyards, thetype of soil in which they are grown, the microclimate and the age of thevines. As these vines are very old, the strains are very well-balanced, with avery deep root system.
All of these factors, together with thelocation of the vineyards, between 500m and 800m in height, where the maturityis very slow, leads to wines of great fruitiness and minerality. In the mouththey are rich and fulsome, with pleasant, mature tannins and highly aromaticpersistence.
SYRAH - Vines are around 10 - 15 years old, supported by trellis
with permanent cordon. The vineyards are located on terraced
floors of the Huecha valley. The soils are stony with boulders, well
ventilated by the cierzo wind and with good drainage. The vineyards
have drip irrigation to support grape ripening. Usually harvested the
first week of October.
GARNACHA - From non-irrigated vineyards, aged between 15 - 25
years. The vines are grown in the vaso ( goblet system on the
slopes of Moncayo mountain. The soils are mainly ferrous clays
and slates, with high content of quartzite and sandstone. Normally
harvested in the last week of October.
WINEMAKING - The two varieties are vinified separately in small
stainless steel tanks. The Garnacha is exposed to a cold prefermentation for two days and then alcoholic fermentation takes
place at 25° - 30 °C. The Syrah undergoes whole-bunch
fermentation, at low temperature, between 20 - 22 ° C.
TASTING NOTES - Appearance of intense purple- red color, with a
great aromatic intensity of ripe black fruits, blackberries, prunes,
black liquorice and spices. The palate is powerful, with big sweet
tannins; creamy mouth feel and a round, long and silky finish.
All these sensations make GRUÑON a very personal and
distinctive wine.
