For this month’s wine club, we have three fantastic selections from Spain! While the country is most well-known for its age-worthy Tempranillos, Spain has so much more to offer. The March wine club box features a fresh and light Garnacha Blanco, a fruity Monastrell, and a dark and inky Syrah. Enjoy!
Saenz-Olazabal ‘Gardacho’ Garnacha Blanca 2022
Taking its name from a mythical dragon/lizard creature from local lore, this wine is from a small plot about 600 meters above sea level in the Basque region of Spain. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, it is mineral driven with notes of lime, honeydew rind, and green plum. 100% Garnacha Blanca. Pair this crisp, refreshing white wine with tempura shrimp or broiled lobster tail.
The Producer: Saenz-Olazabal
Saenz-Olazabal is the second line of wines crafted by José Manuel, the oenologist behind Bodegas y Viñedos Alzania, named after his wife Maria Saenz-Olazabal. This dynamic couple, both oenologists, produces high-quality wines in their small bodega located in the Tierra Estella sub-zone of Navarra, Spain. Following Alzania’s philosophy, the wines employ minimal farming practices and a gentle approach in the cellar to showcase Jose Manuel’s expertise in winemaking.
The Region: Navarra
The autonomous region of Navarra, stretching from the central Pyrenees to the Ebro Valley, encompasses diverse landscapes, featuring spectacular mountains in the north, green undulating foothills, and an arid plain in the south. The vineyards of Navarra DO are situated in the south, between Pamplona and the plains, creating a distinctive location in the Iberian Peninsula. The area is characterized by the convergence of the Atlantic, Continental, and Mediterranean climates, influenced by the Bay of Biscay’s proximity, the impact of the Pyrenees, and the temperate conditions of the Ebro Valley. These factors contribute to Navarra’s unique array of climates.
Coming from a self-rooted high-elevation vineyard, this red wine consists of Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) blended with a tiny portion of Grenache. This vineyard has been farmed organically since the 1930s. With notes of blackberry preserves, plum, rosemary, and black pepper, this wine is rich, dark, and full-bodied. Give this wine a short decant and pair with a hearty beef stew.
The Producer: Bodegas Olivares
In 1930, Pascual Olivares Fernandez founded Bodegas Olivares in Jumilla, Spain, focusing on Monastrell, perfectly suited to the region’s climate. The family vineyard, Finca Hoya de Santa Ana, at 825 meters, features old, ungrafted vines on sandy, chalk-rich soil. Embracing organic practices, the wines, harvested by hand, combine concentrated complexity with balanced freshness. The vineyard, resistant to phylloxera, uses marcottage (a type of air-layering in the soil) for new plantings. Starting in the 1960s, the Olivares family expanded from the local market to international exports, always prioritizing sustainably made wine.
The Region: Jumilla
Jumilla, a hidden gem in southeastern Spain with a viticultural history dating back to Roman times, has become a symbol of Mediterranean wine, notably renowned for its star grape, Monastrell. Embracing modernization in the 1990s, the region transformed, producing internationally acclaimed wines characterized by a continental climate, limestone-sandy soils, and distinctive depth and intensity. Jumilla’s diverse geography, from high plateaus to valleys, results in a wide range of wines, securing its position as a leading player in Spain’s global wine exports.
This wine, consisting of 100% Syrah, hails from the Tierra Estella subregion of Navarra in Spain’s Basque Country. Harvested from a single plot of vines called ‘Los Almendros’, this wine is approachable, complex, and elegant. Aged in new French oak and second-fill American oak, this full-bodied Syrah has notes of fresh currant, blackberry, black olive, pork fat, and a touch of balsamic. Pair this spicy red wine with herb marinated lamb chops.
The Producer: Alzania
Since 1999, José Manuel has established himself as one of Spain’s top winemakers, producing less than 5,000 cases annually at his bodega in the Tierra Estella sub-region of Navarra. He and his wife Maria Saenz-Olazabal have crafted two exceptional wine lines: Alzania and Saenz-Olazabal. Spanning approximately 18 hectares, the vineyards are located in Northern Spain and adhere to minimalist practices—no irrigation, herbicides, or chemicals. Yielding 3,000 to 5,000 kg/hectare, the plants thrive under natural conditions. In the cellar, Jose Manuel employs natural fermentation, judicious oak treatments, and minimal sulfites, showcasing a magnificent approach to both international and local grape varieties.
The Region: Tierra Estella
Located in western Navarra along the Camino de Santiago and bordering the Basque Country and La Rioja, Tierra Estella covers 1,800 hectares. The soils range from heavy clay on slopes to loamy soils with gravel in flat areas, offering excellent drainage. The climate, influenced by the Atlantic and the surrounding mountains, varies from sub-humid in the north to exceedingly dry in the south, with vineyards strategically placed for optimal sun exposure.
