<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wpid-Photo-Jul-16-2013-323.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wpid-Photo-Jul-16-2013-323.jpg" id="blogsy-1374461729548.6062" class="alignleft" alt="Peña Caballera Garnacha: great Spanish wine from the Madrid region" width="220" height="230"></a></div>

<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; ">I was back in Madrid and my first Spanish wine had to be from Madrid region and a Garnacha.  It was a bit of a risk as I was having a <a href="http://planetavino.net/2013/07/21/best-steaks-in-madrid-vaca-nostra/" target="_self" title="Vaca Nostra restaurant in Madrid">perfect steak experience </a>at the Vaca Nostra restaurant and elegant, lean Madrid Grenache might not be everyone&#39;s first choice.  But I couldn&#39;t resist the Peña Caballera, a top bottling from Bodega Marañones, especially at such a great price.  What a joy to be back where wine markups, even in expensive restaurants, are so reasonable!  The Grenache turned out to be a great match for both the steak tartare and the very special 4 month dry aged Galician steak.  Great balance, freshness, and a good tannic structure were the perfect, subtle framework for the meats. So happy to be drinking some great Garnacha back in Madrid!</span></p>

<!--more--><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.bodegamaranones.com/en/index.html" target="_blank" title="Bodega Marañones Vinos de Madrid">Bodegas Marañones</a> has been one of the wineries that has brought recognition to the San Martín de Valdeiglesias sub-zone of the Madrid wine region.  I wrote about the Madrid wine region, Vinos de Madrid and the three sub-zones in a previous blog article. </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">With respect for their terroir and environment as mainstays, Bodega Marañones focuses on producing reds from old-vine Grenache and white from Albillo.  On their website they say that preserving the special qualities of St Martín Grenache is a top priority.  They cite those qualities as being very floral, elegant and delicate, with good acidity and mineral notes.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The Peña Caballera is a single vineyard bottling from 50-70 year old vines that is farmed ecologically.  The Grenache is fermented in 500 liter open-top barrels, followed by 12 months of aging in used 500 liter French oak barrels.  The wine is not filtered, fined or cold stabilization.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The winery produces four reds and the Peña is its top wine...it costs a very reasonable 25 euros retail In Spain and I was delighted to pay 30 euros at the restaurant for it.  For a lower price point, you can try the Treinta Mil Maravedies, the Marañones, and the Labros, costing 11€, 16€, and 17€ respectively.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The 2011 Peña Caballera is lean and fresh, with bright, elegant fruit, and great acidity. Though it has 14.5% alcohol, it has great balance and you get no sense of alcohol heat.  Tannic structure is noticeable but the tannins are very smooth, adding to the long finish.  Great food wine...Grenache is a very versatile matcher and the elegance of this one makes it even more so. </p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>