Once again, we are thrilled to taste and chat about yet another amazing release from one of our favorite producers, Gil Family Estates, out of Spain. We are almost to the point of a Pavlovian response when we hear a new Gil Family release is headed our way-- when you taste wines from a company that, again and again, delivers and over-delivers top quality wines for affordable prices... you might have the same reaction. WHAT? All this quality and great taste for only $8.99?!? Yes! This great summer red also receivied a 90 Point score from Wine Advocate!
Made from 70% Garnacha Tintorera (also known as Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), the vineyards the grapes are sourced from lay atop calcareous soils, between 700 and 1000 meters above sea level, within the region of Almansa.
The nose is filled with ripe red fruits and berries, plums and cherries, that benefit from a hint of citrus as the secondary notes of pepper spice, earth and candle wax add depth and harmony. These scents carry on to the palate where moderate tannins and brisk acidity keep the wine from being heavy-- something very important during the warmer months (and a key factor in what makes an ideal 'summer red'). The body and structure are also what helps the wine pair with traditional summer fare (BBQ time!), where the acidity and tannins help cut through the burgers and ribs, tri-tip and other goodies we like this time of year. The finish is lengthy and reiterates the red fruits, the plums and mixed berries, as it resolves beautifully, like a sunset over a wine-dark sea.
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2021 Laya was produced with 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Monastrell, looking for a fruit-driven and easy to drink red with 14.5% alcohol, ripe fruit and a soft texture. 2021 was warmer than the average but with some cold spells, especially the one in January called Filomena that brought lots of snow, despite which, it was also a dry year and they got up to 40% less grapes. This fermented in stainless steel vats with neutral yeasts, with malolactic in barrel, where the wine matured for four months. This shows some toasty oak, but it might be because it's too young and very recently bottled. But vintages seem to take oak differently; they believe this will show as integrated as the 2020. Time will tell. In any case, it's a wine for the short term, and it's very good for what it is. 360,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022."
Vegan
Made from 70% Garnacha Tintorera (also known as Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), the vineyards the grapes are sourced from lay atop calcareous soils, between 700 and 1000 meters above sea level, within the region of Almansa.
The nose is filled with ripe red fruits and berries, plums and cherries, that benefit from a hint of citrus as the secondary notes of pepper spice, earth and candle wax add depth and harmony. These scents carry on to the palate where moderate tannins and brisk acidity keep the wine from being heavy-- something very important during the warmer months (and a key factor in what makes an ideal 'summer red'). The body and structure are also what helps the wine pair with traditional summer fare (BBQ time!), where the acidity and tannins help cut through the burgers and ribs, tri-tip and other goodies we like this time of year. The finish is lengthy and reiterates the red fruits, the plums and mixed berries, as it resolves beautifully, like a sunset over a wine-dark sea.
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2021 Laya was produced with 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Monastrell, looking for a fruit-driven and easy to drink red with 14.5% alcohol, ripe fruit and a soft texture. 2021 was warmer than the average but with some cold spells, especially the one in January called Filomena that brought lots of snow, despite which, it was also a dry year and they got up to 40% less grapes. This fermented in stainless steel vats with neutral yeasts, with malolactic in barrel, where the wine matured for four months. This shows some toasty oak, but it might be because it's too young and very recently bottled. But vintages seem to take oak differently; they believe this will show as integrated as the 2020. Time will tell. In any case, it's a wine for the short term, and it's very good for what it is. 360,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022."
Vegan
Overall Rating
0 out of 5 Based on 0 Review
