You're not going to find a better deal than this on a 2011 from Spain, the Trader Joe's Vega del Origon Gran Reserva.
60% Garnacha and 40% Syrah from Terra Alta, Catalan, Spain. The wine was aged in French and American oak barrels and has 3.1 g/L of residual sugar.
The Vega del Origon Gran Reserva is made by Reserva de la Tierra, which is the same producer as the recently reviewed Satis Dei. It is available exclusively at Trader Joe's (in the US) and sells for just $5.99. It is imported by Latitude Wines.
This ruby red wine tastes of ripe berries, with notes of cocoa and vanilla. It is rich and full-bodied, with a crisp finish. An excellent choice with grilled and roasted meats.
13% Alcohol
I couldn't find the exact rules for Gran Reserva wines in Terra Alta, but in general in Spain you're talking about 60 months of aging before release with at least 18 of those months in oak. That's a significant expenditure for a wine that retails for just $5.99. Let's check it out.
The 2011 Vega del Origon Gran Reserva opens with quite an attractive aroma of red berries, a bit on the brambly side, along with touches of vanilla, pepper and chocolate. Taking a sip reveals a rich, ripe and really tasty wine that is full of tart fruit and mouth-watering acidity. It has just enough complexity to keep it interesting but is still really easy to drink. It ends with a long, dry, grippy and satisfying finish.
The verdict? This is a really delicious wine that is likely only near this price because the region it is produced in is not very well known. You're probably not going to find a better deal than this right now on a 2011 vintage from Spain.
You can also find more of our favorite Spanish wines here!
