Peña El Gato Tinaja 2019

There is now a Garnacha in tinaja. The 2019 Peña El Gato Garnacha Tinaja was produced with grapes from the same centenary vines as the one fermented and matured in oak. This feels more varietal, relaxed and expansive, with purer aromas and a silkier mouthfeel. The destemmed grapes fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in the tinaja for 11 months, the same as the regular but in clay instead of wood. I'm often not a fan of wines in tinaja, but in this case, I much preferred if to the version in oak. 3,150 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2020.

Tinaja is fermented and aged in clay pots and sees no wood at all. Sappy and herbal, with more acidity than the other Peña El Gato releases, despite its 15.5% alcohol. Serious and focused, it has plenty of tannin, vibrant acidity and none of the varietal fruit sweetness of Garnacha. Unusual. 2023-27