Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos 1.5L

Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos 1.5L is a 100% Garnacha red wine from Campo de Borja DO, Spain, bottled at 15% ABV in a 1.5-liter magnum format. Sourced from 30- to 65-year-old head-pruned vines grown on the volcanic slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcano, Tres Picos has earned a 91-point rating from both Guía Peñín and James Suckling, along with a 92-point Wine Enthusiast Best Buy designation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Campo de Borja DO, Aragón, Spain  |  Varietal: 100% Garnacha  |  Producer: Bodegas Borsao

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Borsao is a cooperative winery located in the Campo de Borja denomination of origin in Aragón, northeastern Spain — a region widely known as "El Imperio de la Garnacha" (The Empire of Garnacha). Tres Picos holds the distinction of being the first 100% Garnacha wine produced in Spain, debuting in 2000. The old-vine fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 25°–30°C to preserve varietal intensity, then aged for five months in new French oak Bordeaux barrels, which contribute subtle structure and spice without overwhelming the grape's natural character. The volcanic soils surrounding Moncayo lend a distinctive mineral backbone to the wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Very intense cherry color with purple tones leads into a concentrated bouquet of ripe red fruits — bright cherry, raspberry, and medicinal strawberry — layered with floral nuances, potpourri, and roasted spice. Deeper in the glass, notes of slate, dusty stone, and leather emerge.

Taste: The entry is generous and fruit-forward, with ripe blackberry and plum dominating the early palate. At mid-palate the wine reveals rich concentration, velvety tannins, and tones of vanilla and leather from its French oak maturation. The structure is medium-to-full bodied, balancing power with surprising drinkability at 15% ABV.

Finish: Smooth and well-structured with lingering blackberry and subtle sweet tannin that carries the fruit through a satisfying close. A faint mineral edge from the volcanic terroir adds complexity on the fade.

How to Drink Tres Picos

Serve at 16°–18°C (60°–64°F). Given its concentration, pouring from the magnum after 20–30 minutes of breathing rewards with fuller aromatics. Tres Picos is primarily a food wine that shines at the dinner table. A Garnacha Sangria benefits from the wine's bold fruit and spice, standing up to citrus and brandy without losing identity. It also works in a Kalimotxo for a robust Basque-inspired serve, and its depth of fruit makes it a strong base for a Red Wine Reduction to finish grilled meats.

Best For

• Dinner parties and large gatherings where the 1.5L magnum format eliminates mid-course bottle changes
• Garnacha enthusiasts exploring old-vine Spanish expressions at exceptional value
• Pairing with grilled lamb, braised short ribs, or charcuterie boards
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates bold, terroir-driven reds in impressive magnum presentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tres Picos taste like? Tres Picos delivers concentrated ripe blackberry, plum, and cherry fruit backed by vanilla, leather, and a mineral edge from volcanic soils. It is rich and well-structured with velvety tannins and a smooth, fruit-driven finish.

How does Tres Picos compare to Southern Rhône Grenache wines? Both rely on old-vine Grenache (Garnacha) for concentrated fruit, but Tres Picos tends toward darker berry fruit and more overt ripeness at 15% ABV, while Southern Rhône blends like Châteauneuf-du-Pape typically incorporate multiple grape varieties and lean toward earthy, garrigue-driven profiles. Tres Picos also positions at a significantly lower price tier than most quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Is Tres Picos good for sipping on its own? Yes — its generous fruit, balanced tannins, and smooth texture make it an appealing standalone pour, though its concentration and 15% ABV pair best with food to temper the wine's power.

Where is Tres Picos made? Tres Picos is produced by Bodegas Borsao in the Campo de Borja Denominación de Origen in Aragón, northeastern Spain. The old-vine Garnacha is sourced from vineyards on the slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcano, at elevations where volcanic soils and continental climate stress the vines into producing deeply concentrated fruit.

What foods pair well with Tres Picos? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's dark fruit and spice. Braised short ribs mirror its richness and structure. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the Spanish terroir. Chorizo and cured meats stand up to the 15% ABV intensity. Roasted eggplant or red pepper dishes harmonize with the wine's ripe berry character.

What sizes does Tres Picos come in? This listing is the 1.5-liter magnum format, which is equivalent to two standard 750ml bottles. Tres Picos is also widely available in the standard 750ml size.

Is Tres Picos worth the price? Tres Picos consistently positions as one of the strongest values in old-vine Garnacha, earning a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy designation at 92 points. For a wine sourced from vines up to 65 years old and aged in new French oak, it punches well above its price tier.

Why Tres Picos?

Tres Picos was the first 100% Garnacha wine produced in Spain when it launched in 2000, and it remains a benchmark for the variety in Campo de Borja. The combination of genuinely old vines — 30 to 65 years, head-pruned on volcanic soils — and a restrained five-month oak program produces a wine with real depth that doesn't rely on heavy extraction or extended barrel aging. Multiple 90-plus-point scores from Guía Peñín, James Suckling, and Wine Spectator confirm its consistency across vintages. In the 1.5L magnum, the wine benefits from a slower aging curve and makes a commanding presence at any table.