The Grenache that is coming out of Calatayud in the Northern part of Spain are amongst some of the best expressions of this varietal in the world (in my opinion). One of the more prolific producers from this region is Bodegas Alto Moncayo.

So as we traveled around Barcelona and Madrid, in need of a serious break from all of the Cava we had been drinking up in the Penedès. Naturally, I was looking for the same satisfaction that I got from the Moncayo wines but hoped for something that I couldn't get in the States. Behold...Proyecto!!

Right off the bat, the label reminded of the boldly colored eye candy that Moncayo plasters across their bottles. The 'Proyecto', or Project is a wine series that combines the best Grenache fruit from across Spain and blends them into one great wine. The 2007 vintage that we tasted was an inky purple with beautiful blueberry pie aromas wafting up to the surface of the glass. This wine was a hedonists delight with the pleasing baked berry fruit to the smooth, satisfying finish. Like a good blanket, this wine consumes you and warms you all over. Despite the absence of heavy tannins, this wine is sure to please for several more years.