Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos

Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos is a 100% old-vine Garnacha red wine from Campo de Borja, Aragón, Spain, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage) and 91 points from both James Suckling and Guía Peñín, Tres Picos has earned a reputation as one of Spain's most over-delivering Garnacha bottlings — a concentrated, full-bodied wine sourced from vines up to 65 years old on the slopes of an extinct volcano.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Campo de Borja, Aragón, Spain  |  100% Garnacha (Old Vine)  |  Winery: Bodegas Borsao

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Borsao is a cooperative winery based in the Campo de Borja Denomination of Origin, a region sometimes called "The Empire of Garnacha" for its deep concentration of old-vine plantings. Tres Picos — named for the three peaks of the Moncayo massif — draws fruit from 30- to 65-year-old, head-pruned Garnacha vines planted at 600 to 700 meters elevation on the slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcano, rooted in uneven clay and limestone soils. After harvest, the grapes undergo a 20- to 25-day maceration and ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 25–30°C, followed by five months of aging in new French oak barrels. This relatively brief oak contact preserves the raw, volcanic intensity of the fruit while adding structure and a measured layer of spice.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with potent ripe blackberry and cherry preserves before giving way to deeper layers of leather, dusty stone, and a whisper of cocoa butter. Subtle anise and orange zest emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is plush and richly textured, with dark plum and spiced cherry fruit flooding the mid-palate. As it develops, blackberry pie sweetness is balanced by glossy, well-integrated tannins, black pepper, and a savory undertone that keeps the 15% alcohol in check. The oak shows as vanilla tone rather than overt wood, serving the fruit rather than masking it.

Finish: Long and powder-dry, with lingering notes of sweet spice and dark berry. A gentle grip of fine-grained tannin carries through, leaving a clean, mineral-edged close.

How to Drink Tres Picos

Tres Picos shows best at a light cellar temperature — around 60–64°F — poured into a large-bowled glass and given 20 to 30 minutes to open. At 15% ABV, a brief decant helps integrate the alcohol and fully reveal the mid-palate complexity.

• Sangria Tinta: The wine's intense dark fruit and spice backbone stand up to citrus, brandy, and dilution without losing character.
• Kalimotxo (Calimocho): An unconventional pairing that plays the wine's ripe berry sweetness against cola's bitterness — a Spanish classic that works precisely because the base wine is bold enough.
• Red Wine Reduction: Beyond the glass, Tres Picos makes an exceptional cooking wine for pan sauces alongside lamb or beef, where its concentrated fruit and tannic structure reduce beautifully.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Spain's Garnacha heartland without a steep entry price
• Pairing with hearty cold-weather dishes like braised short ribs or cassoulet
• Building a collection of high-scoring, value-driven Spanish reds
• Hosting a blind tasting to challenge perceptions about what affordable wine can deliver

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tres Picos taste like? Tres Picos delivers a concentrated profile of ripe blackberry, plum, and spiced cherry, supported by glossy tannins, leather, and subtle vanilla from its five months in new French oak. The finish is long, dry, and peppery with a mineral edge.

How does Tres Picos compare to Palacios Remondo La Montesa Crianza? Both wines appear together in James Suckling's list of affordable wines that punch well above their weight, with La Montesa earning 92 points from the same publication. La Montesa is a Rioja-based Garnacha blend with more restrained oak influence, while Tres Picos is a single-varietal Campo de Borja Garnacha with greater concentration and higher alcohol at 15% ABV.

Is Tres Picos good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its rich fruit, balanced tannins, and layered complexity make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, especially after a brief decant to soften the 15% ABV and allow the aromatic range to fully unfold.

Where is Tres Picos made? Tres Picos is produced by Bodegas Borsao in the Campo de Borja Denomination of Origin in Aragón, northeastern Spain. The fruit comes from old-vine Garnacha plantings on the slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcano at 600–700 meters elevation.

What foods pair well with Tres Picos? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's peppery tannins and dark fruit. Slow-braised pork shoulder matches its richness and plush texture. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the wine's savory, slightly nutty undertones. Chorizo and bean stew echoes the earthy, spiced character. Dark chocolate desserts complement the cocoa and berry notes on the finish.

What sizes does Tres Picos come in? Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Tres Picos worth the price? Tres Picos consistently positions as one of the strongest value plays in Spanish red wine, punching into 90-plus-point territory across multiple critics — including 92 points from Wine Enthusiast — at an entry-level price point. For a wine sourced from old vines and aged in new French oak, it delivers well beyond its price tier.

Why Tres Picos?

What separates Tres Picos from the flood of affordable Garnacha is its sourcing: head-pruned vines up to 65 years old, rooted in volcanic clay-limestone soils at significant altitude, producing naturally low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. That raw material, combined with a deliberate winemaking approach — extended maceration followed by restrained French oak aging — results in a wine that routinely earns 90-plus scores from Wine Enthusiast, James Suckling, Wine Spectator, and Guía Peñín. Few wines at this price tier can claim such consistent critical recognition across so many publications. For anyone exploring the depth of Spanish Garnacha, Tres Picos remains a benchmark.