The Principe de Viana Garnacha 2012 is sourced from 3 vineyards located in the Navarra DO in Northern Spain near the border with France. The vines are at least 60 years old and Bodegas Principe de Viana was founded in 1983, though wine has been produced in the area since the 200 AD. This Garnacha was aged in French and American oak for 3 months then aged an extra 3 months in the bottle before release. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is cherry red. The nose is sweet ripe fruit, with a slap of tobacco. This is a lean, well-balanced wine. It tastes of raspberry, blackberry, licorice and a little vanilla crème. The mid-palate adds tart cranberry . The tannins are smooth and the acidity is well-integrated with the body of the wine. The finish is light and of reasonable length.
The Principe de Viana Garnacha 2012 is a delicious, if not overly complex taste of Navarra, Spain. This is a Red wine that would hit the spot in the heat of the summer. Pair it with interesting cheeses, Chipolte chicken burritos or red beans and rice.
