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.
Vineyards between 15 and 20 years old cultivated at 500 – 600 meters of altitude and enhanced by the Cierzo on the slopes of Moncayo. Vines are planted in traditional vaso system. The soils are mainly clay-ferrous with a high stony content of quartzite and sandstone. The harvest is carried out in the first half of October, with the grapes being picked by hand with a selection of clusters at the winery.
Elaboration
Fermentation occurs in opened stainless steel tanks with a cold pre-fermentation for two days and an alcoholic fermentation temperature between 24ºC and 28ºC. The wine is aged for 2 months in French oak.
Tasting notes
In the glass it shows a ruby red color with medium layer. It exhibits aromas of cherries and currants. On the palate it has a pleasant freshness with a successful combination of red fruits such as cherries and currants; the short aging in wood rounds off the palate, providing notes of laurel and toast in perfect balance with its acidity. It has a long and pleasant aftertaste that entice you to take another sip…
