Peña El Gato Natural (red)
A completely untamed, wild, and pure Garnacha from century-old vines. Almost a year of barrel aging without added sulfur allows a remarkable burst of cherries and redcurrants to shine through, with silky tannins and lively acidity.
| Category: | Red |
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Peña El Gato Natural comes from 95-year-old Garnacha vines on high south-facing slopes and terraces on a half-hectare plot inherited by Juan Carlos Sancha from his grandfather. This very special vineyard has a small annual production of approximately 2,000 bottles.
VARIETY
100% Garnacha Tinta (grapes from century-old vines in Baños de Río Tobía, Rioja Alta).
WINERY
Organic.
HARVEST
Hand-picked into small 15 kg crates, usually in the 4th week of October.
VINIFICATION AND AGING
Aged 11 months in 500 l French oak barrels (Tronçais).
BOTTLING
2,000 bottles.
ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 14.5%.
TASTE AND CHARACTER
Noble and authentic mountain Garnacha. Deep, ruby-blue color. The aroma is an explosion of blackcurrant, ripe cherries and wild raspberries, supported by sensual undertones of licorice and dark chocolate. The taste is wild yet refined, with beautifully integrated, silky tannins.
SOMMELIER'S TIP
Serve at 14–16 °C. Excellent with roasts and stews (lamb, beef, veal), bold Mediterranean/Italian dishes (meat ragù, lasagna, mushroom risotto), hard mature cheeses (Manchego, Comté) and traditional Spanish cold cuts like Jamón Ibérico and chorizo.
Discussion
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Juan Carlos Sancha is a native of Baños de Río Tobía in Rioja Alta, home to one of the coldest and highest-altitude areas in all of DOCa Rioja.
The 5-hectare winery relies on a family heritage dating back to his great-grandfather, who planted vines on steep, poor clay-calcareous soils here.
Juan Carlos Sancha is not only a winemaker but also a professor of oenology at the University of La Rioja and an international consultant specializing in artisanal organic wines. In 2008, he abandoned large projects to focus on his own. He began farming the family vines with a clear vision: creating authentic wines reflecting the cool Alto Najerilla terroir.
Sancha is an uncompromising advocate of organic winemaking with minimal intervention (natural wines), which is quite pioneering in traditional Rioja.