<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wpid-Photo-Apr-16-2013-2323.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wpid-Photo-Apr-16-2013-2323.jpg" id="blogsy-1366174830341.0662" class="alignleft" width="150" height="291" alt="Zestos Garnacha 2011: Spanish wine from Madrid"></a></div>

<p style="text-align: justify;"> Exciting Spanish wine day in Costco today...but more on that later!  The one I had to open first was the Zestos Garnacha 2011 from the Madrid wine region, called Vinos de Madrid.  This is an area often overlooked, even in Spain and there are some really exciting wines, wines with some really unique personality.  Also Madrid is like home to me, so I always like to see it represent!  To find a good Madrid wine in Costco, and at the ridiculously affordable price of 7 dollars, really made my day!  This Zestos is amazing value, it&#39;s such an attractive wine, and it gives a great glimpse of what Madrid producers are doing with their fantastic old vine Grenache vineyards.</p>

<!--more--><p style="text-align: justify;">Grenache in the San Martin area has a floral quality and this wine has that whiff of floral mixed with lovely dark cherry fruit....such an attractive nose.  Then in the mouth, quite intense, red fruit, a hint of mineral.  The tannins are fairly soft and the acidity is quite fresh. Despite 14% alcohol, the wine is quite balanced, though the alcohol stands out a touch on the finish.  A fairly simple, but really delightful, fun wine.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The wine is made in cement and stainless only and really showcases the pure Madrid Grenache fruit.  Spanish wines without oak aging are called "joven", meaning young, and many jovenes are bitter, thin and lacking fruit.  Another typical joven profile is to show intense fruit that have distinct, unpleasant, over-ripe aromas, often matched by a high alcohol content. This joven strikes a perfect balance and shows how an un-oaked wine can really reflect a place and offer quality at a great price point.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">This is a great everyday wine..it would be a great house wine in any bar or restaurant.   This is so much better than the thin, tinny Riojas they serve by the glass in so many Spanish bars.  It is very food friendly...good acidity, low tannins, bright fruit makes a perfect red for everyday meals.  It is even up to the tough wine challenge of tomato sauces and spiced food.  I had it with an arancini (rice ball) and spicy arrabbiata sauce....it worked well.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Zestos is imported by Ole Imports and they have a great <a href="http://www.oleimports.com/wine/Zestos-old-vine-Garnacha" target="_blank" title="Ole Imports page for Spanish wine Zestos 2011">page</a> with lots of detail on the wine.  Ole has a very eclectic and interesting Spanish wine portfolio including the fantastic wines of the great Raúl Peréz.  </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Madrid is offering some really unique Grenache wines, very different than other Spanish Grenache, a bit lighter, more aromatic, more mineral.  Zestos is an entry-level look at these great wines....and just an all round fantastic wine value!</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Have you tried any Spanish Grenache, from Madrid or any other region? Love to hear what you thought.  Check out Zestos at Costco for 7$!</p>

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