After purchasing this bottle a few months ago, I decided to open it and pair it with some home-cooked enchiladas. I have read that Zinfandel had paired well with Mexican dishes, but I wanted to try something different, yet similar. I bought it for $8.99 at a wine speciality store in Grand Rapids, but I'm sure it is available at many "speciality" liquor stores throughout the United States. I have never seen it at a large chain grocery store, though, so I would look somewhere else to grab a bottle than your local large chain grocer. I tend to like a more peppery/dry wine with my Mexican dishes, and this wine did not disappoint. Note: I'm using the spelling of the varietals from the bottle, these can be spelled differently. This southern Spanish red blend is a mix of Garnacha Tintorera (70%) and Monastrell (30%) - both of these varietals are common in Spain. I have had Garnacha a few times, but nothing recently, so I was excited to try it again. The southern Spanish region is a hotter climate, with this winery being located in the northern area of the region. The southern Spanish region wines have the characteristics of sweet fruit, clay flavors with medium acidity. This wine was bottled in the D.O. (Denominaciones de Origen) Almansa, which is located on the eastern side of Spain to the southwest of Valencia - see picture below. D.O. Almansa has very hot summers with very little precipitation. The D.O. has 12 wineries and hundreds of growers within approx. 17,500 acres of vineyards. When I opened the bottle, I got a heavy scent of dark fruit and pepper - I knew I would love this wine solely upon that. I poured a glass and let it air out for a few minutes. In hindsight I maybe should have let it air out a little longer, but I was too excited to try it! The color in the glass was a medium red/purple color, from the mix of the lighter colored Garnacha body and darker colored Monastrell body. The primary aroma I sniffed the wine for the first time, was as aforementioned, heavy on the pepper, as well as mineral-like and dark fruit (e.g. blackberry), but after a few more smells I noticed a subtle hint of strawberry as well.
When tasting, though, all of these fruit flavors burst out on the front: blackberry, strawberry, acai, and a hint of blueberry finishing with a heavy tobacco and leather taste. The wine is a full-bodied dry wine, so if that is not your preference, this wine is not for you. I prefer my red wines to be dry and full, so this was a slam dunk for me. The wine is also fairly high in tannins. According to Wine Folly, tannins are a textural taste that leaves the mouth feeling dry and is mostly found in red wines. The Laya red blend was dry to the taste, but a woodsy dry, which was expected, but also a nice touch on the back end of the wine. I was very pleased with this blend and will always keep a bottle on hand. I cannot say enough good things about this red blend. If you are a fan of dry, full reds, or are looking to try something new at a reasonable price tag this wine is for you. Highly recommend.
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Author20 something living in Beer City USA with an affinity for wine. Other hobbies include photography, reading, and playing my pup. Archives
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