Altos de Oliva Gran Reserva | Catalunya
2004
Our remarkable new Spanish discovery—fully mature and delicious red wine from the relatively unknown Terra Alta (The Highlands) of Catalonia, just South of Priorat. This Gran Reserva is made from very old vines (up to 100 years old), and has just been awarded a gold medal in Brussels. Really exceptional value and a very exciting wine—highly recommended especially at this price.
The Press On the 2004 vintage
'The nose is all warming spice and briar, plummy fruit with a touch of tobacco. On the palate it is savoury and dry, but there's a core of liquorice-tinged fruit there, and nicely grippy tannins and acid adding some backbone. Decent bangs per buck here. '— The Wine Gang 'Wine of the Week: Rich and minerally with spicy fruit.'—Bob Tyrer, Sunday Times 'The 10 Best Autumn Reds: Lots of Depth from its aging in oak, this is nevertheless an easily quaffable, medium bodied wine, that goes well with food like roast pork and tapas-style tomato based dishes.'
—Terry Kirby, The Independent
Our tasting notes
A deep reddish purple with complex fruit aromas. A rich, fresh wine with red berry and mineral flavours that come from vines of a certain age. Well made wine with a long lingering finish. Should be far more expensive than this.Wine data
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Garnacha & Shiraz.Appellation: DO Catalunya
Alcohol: 14%
About Catalunya
The small DO of Catalunya is situated north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, just south of the highly esteemed Priorat, and is the highest D.O within Catalonia at 400 metres above sea level. The soil is predominantly limestone and incredibly dry, meaning that it can only really support three main crops: olives, almonds and grapes. As the area is fortunate to have undergone very little replanting. It reaps the benefit of having older vines, producing local varieties such as Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and Parellada in whites and Tempranillo, Garnacha negra and Cariñera (Mazuela) in red. However, foreign varietals are also allowed (Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz, Muscat and Chardonnay).
Prices are all-inclusive for deliveries to UK mainland. Minimum total order is 1 case (12 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for the UK and 2 cases (24 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for Northern Ireland, Highlands and islands. Please note there is a surcharge for delivery to Northern Ireland and Islands. Please call 020 7549 7900 for more info or read our Delivery/Collection Information and Terms & Conditions. We use recycled boxes for our mixed cases to help protect the environment.
