Spain — wine

Calatayud

An Aragonese DO in the Jalón river valley south of Zaragoza, sharing altitude and old-vine Garnacha character with its neighbours Cariñena and Campo de Borja. Calatayud's unique claim to fame is its extreme high-altitude viticulture — vineyards at 700–1,000m in the sierra foothills produce some of Europe's highest-altitude Garnacha. Pre-phylloxera ungrafted old vines are common, with century-old bush vine Garnacha producing wines of extraordinary concentration, freshness, and character. The region's harsh continental climate and poor, stony soils push yields to minimal levels from these ancient vineyards.

Year Rating Notes
2020 Outstanding vintage for old-vine Garnacha — hot summer, cool nights, producing wines of extraordinary concentration and freshness.
2019 Good vintage across the DO. Century-vine Garnacha showed excellent character.
2018 One of the decade's best vintages — deep, complex wines with exceptional aging potential.
2017 Reliable vintage with good natural character from altitude sites.
2016 Classic Calatayud vintage — powerful, concentrated Garnacha with excellent structure.