Las Rocas Garnacha Vinas Viejas

Las Rocas Garnacha Viñas Viejas is a full-bodied, 100% old-vine Garnacha from D.O. Calatayud, Spain, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from bush-trained vines between 80 and 100 years old at elevations reaching 1,000 meters, this wine has earned a 91-point score from Wine Spectator (2013 vintage) and Gold at the International Wine Challenge (2017 vintage).

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: D.O. Calatayud, Aragón, Spain  |  Old Vine (Viñas Viejas) Garnacha  |  Producer: Bodegas San Alejandro

Production & Heritage

Bodegas San Alejandro, a cooperative winery in the rugged highlands of Calatayud in northeastern Spain, produces Las Rocas from Garnacha vines that are 80 to 100 years old. These ancient bush-trained (goblet-pruned) vines yield an average of just 1,500 kg per hectare — a remarkably low output that concentrates flavor in every berry. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats at controlled temperatures between 25°C and 28°C, preserving fresh fruit character while extracting depth. The wine then ages 14 to 16 months in a combination of oak barrels of varying ages and origins alongside large 5,000-liter vats, building complexity without overwhelming the fruit with new wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep and inviting, the nose opens with ripe black cherry and plum before layering in smoky black raspberry and lavender. Swirling reveals spicy cranberry, licorice, and subtle mineral undertones shaped by the high-altitude terroir.

Taste: The entry is sweet and juicy, with dark cherry and ripe strawberry flooding the palate. At mid-palate, white pepper spice and earthy minerality emerge alongside hints of elegant oak. The wine carries a rich density that reflects its old-vine concentration and 15% alcohol, yet maintains surprising balance.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering notes of licorice, dark berry, and a dusting of baking spice. A faint mineral grip and smoky quality persist through the close, adding structure and keeping the finish dry.

How to Drink Las Rocas Garnacha

Given its concentration and depth, this Garnacha rewards a slight chill to around 60–65°F and benefits from 20 to 30 minutes of breathing time in the glass or a decanter. It drinks beautifully on its own but also holds up in wine-forward preparations: a bold Sangria built on dark fruit and citrus, where the wine's intensity won't get lost behind sweeteners; a classic Kalimotxo for a rustic Spanish approach that plays off its ripe berry character; or a refined Mulled Wine in cooler months, where the existing licorice and spice notes amplify warming aromatics.

Best For

• Pairing with hearty grilled or braised red meats on a weekend dinner
• Introducing a serious old-vine Spanish Garnacha to adventurous wine drinkers
• Bringing a high-scoring bottle to a dinner party without overspending
• Building a collection of benchmark Calatayud and Aragón wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Las Rocas Garnacha taste like? Las Rocas Garnacha Viñas Viejas delivers concentrated dark cherry, plum, and black raspberry flavors layered with white pepper spice, licorice, and mineral notes. It is full-bodied and ripe with a long, warming finish shaped by old-vine intensity and oak aging.

How does Las Rocas Garnacha compare to Evodia Garnacha? Both are old-vine Garnachas from Calatayud imported by Eric Solomon, but Las Rocas draws from significantly older vines (80–100 years) and undergoes 14–16 months of oak aging, resulting in greater concentration and complexity. Evodia is generally lighter and more fruit-forward, positioned as an everyday drinking wine rather than a cellar-worthy selection.

Is Las Rocas Garnacha good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its rich fruit, layered spice, and balanced structure make it an excellent wine to enjoy neat, ideally after a brief decant to allow its aromas to fully open up.

Where is Las Rocas Garnacha made? Las Rocas Garnacha Viñas Viejas is produced by Bodegas San Alejandro in the D.O. Calatayud appellation of Aragón, northeastern Spain. The vineyards sit at altitudes reaching 1,000 meters in the rugged terrain between Madrid and Barcelona.

What foods pair well with Las Rocas Garnacha? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's smoky depth and peppery spice. Braised short ribs or oxtail match its full body and concentrated fruit. Manchego cheese or other aged sheep's milk cheeses echo its Spanish origin. Chorizo and charcuterie boards highlight the licorice and berry notes, and roasted root vegetables balance its richness with earthy sweetness.

What sizes does Las Rocas Garnacha come in? Las Rocas Garnacha Viñas Viejas is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Las Rocas Garnacha worth the price? Las Rocas positions as a mid-range wine that consistently punches above its price tier, with multiple vintages earning 91-point scores from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator alongside Gold medals at international competitions — rare accolades for wines at this value level.

Why Las Rocas Garnacha?

What separates Las Rocas from the crowded field of Spanish Garnacha is the extreme age of its source vines — 80 to 100 years old — and the natural yield restriction that comes with it. At just 1,500 kg per hectare, these ancient bush-trained plants produce fruit of uncommon concentration and mineral complexity, shaped further by high-altitude growing conditions up to 1,000 meters. The combination of concrete-vat fermentation and extended aging in mixed-origin oak barrels builds layered depth without masking varietal character. With consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages, including 91 points from both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, this remains one of the most compelling demonstrations of what old-vine Garnacha from Calatayud can achieve.