# Organic Garnacha (2024)

- **Producer:** Bodegas Castillo de Monjardín
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Garnacha
- **Region:** Navarra, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, cherry, strawberry, cloves, toast

## About this wine

Bodegas Castillo de Monjardín is located in Villamayor de Monjardín in the Navarra region of northern Spain, near the Pyrenees along the historic Camino de Santiago. Founded in 1988, the estate sits near the 12th-century castle of King Sancho Garcés. The vineyards benefit from high altitude between 500 and 700 meters, limestone-rich stony soils, and a cool microclimate shaped by the persistent Cierzo wind. The estate focuses on organic viticulture and single-vineyard expressions such as La Cantera, where 75-year-old Garnacha vines produce highly aromatic and balanced grapes.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from the single vineyard 'La Cantera', featuring old vines over 75 years of age.
- Located along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route at the foot of a 12th-century castle.
- Cooled by the persistent 'Cierzo' wind blowing from the nearby Pyrenees mountain range.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity, medium body, and silky tannins of this high-altitude organic Garnacha complement savory, earthy flavors like mushrooms and roasted light meats without overwhelming the palate.

## Wine making process

Grapes are harvested organically from 75-year-old vines at the single-vineyard La Cantera. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks with controlled temperature fermentation and ten days of skin maceration accompanied by daily pump-overs to extract smooth tannins and color. Following fermentation, the wine matures for six months in three-year-old French and American oak barriques before bottling to enhance structure while maintaining pure varietal fruit expression.