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Xiloca 2016
Price: $12.00 (average US retail)
Size: 750ml
Winery: Bodega Sommos Garnacha
Vintage Year: 2016
Country: Spain
Region: Aragón
Appellation: D.O. Calatayud
TASTING NOTES
Intense blackberry color and aroma are captivating. Freshness and integrated tannins invite a second sip. The intensity continues in a mouth filling palate and a lingering fruit/mineral finish.
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PRESS
Xiloca (2016) - "This fresh red shows black cherry, leafy and licorice flavors. Focused, with firm tannins and juicy orange peel acidity. Direct and energetic. Drink now through 2022."
Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, Jan 31, 2018
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Xiloca (2012) - "Bright ruby-red. Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Smooth and open-knit, with a peppery nuance adding bite and lift. Closes spicy and taut, with good cling but no obvious tannins."
88 Points
Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Sep 1, 2014
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Xiloca (2009) - "The 2009 Xiloca is 100% Garnacha with a very fragrant perfume of earthy minerality and black cherries. This tasty, friendly, value-priced offering has ample fruit as well as a sense of elegance. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. "
89 Points
Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, Jul 1, 2011
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Xiloca (2008) - "The 2008 Xiloca Garnacha is a unoaked cuvee sourced from a parcel of old vines. Medium ruby red in color, it displays a nose of spicy cherries and floral notes. Easy-going on the palate with lively acidity and savory flavors, it will provide pleasurable drinking at a fair price over the next 3 years."
87 Points
Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, Apr 30, 2010
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BODEGA SOMMOS GARNACHA WINERY INFO
Overview: Located near the village of Murero along a remote stretch of the Jiloca River, Sommos Garnacha produces fresh tasting Garnacha from 250 acres of estate vineyards between 40 and 100 years old, including many hillside slate-laden parcels over 3000 feet in elevation, the highest of D.O. Calatayud.
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History: Located in Zaragoza’s remote Jiloca River Valley in the extreme southeast of D.O. Calatayud, the local vineyards had suffered abandonment during the 20th century for their difficult access and steep slopes mandating manual labor. Beginning in 2001, efforts were intensified to recuperate those vineyards that could still be saved. Dispersed among the slopes, the vineyard parcels today average approximately two acres in size. The steepest hillsides are composed of exposed gray and red slate and quartzite, the gentler slopes incorporating varying amounts red clay. Extreme elevations range from 2700 to 3800 feet. It is believed that these isolated parcels represent what remains of the original, or heirloom version, of the Garnacha variety.
Continental climate and altitude offer day/night temperature variation during season of 25º F. and more, lengthening the ripening season and preserving fruit intensity. Rains are scarce but timely and penetrate the soils quickly to provide adequate moisture for the deeply-rooted vines.
The old vines produce an average of one kilogram (2.2 pounds) each, and are collected in 20kg crates, filled only to 15kgs to avoid crushing during transport to the bodega. The crates are emptied directly onto a new Selectiv’ Process Vision sorting table that optically separates the grapes by color and shape to retain only the finest and most intact fruit. The destemmed grapes are cold macerated and fermented by parcel in moderately sized tanks of 4000 to 6000 liters.
The essence of Garnacha is the Sommos Garnacha objective, with extreme altitude and mineral soils contributing to the intensity and freshness obtained.
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