2020 Vaquerizas Garnacha – A Rich and Rewarding Spanish Find
Price: $8.90 at Lunardi Stores
Region: Cariñena Region of Aragon, Spain
My Rating: 89 points
If you’re looking for an expressive and affordable Spanish red, the 2020 Vaquerizas Garnacha from Tierra de Cubas is a gem worth seeking out. Made from 50-year-old Garnacha vines, this wine shows the depth and character that only mature vines can deliver.
- 92 points – James Suckling
Lunardi’s isn’t known for wine bargains, so I was surprised—and delighted—to spot this bottle for just $8.80. For under $10, this is hands-down the best wine value in the store. If your local Lunardi’s still has it, do yourself a favor and pick up a few bottles.
About Tierra de Cubas
Tierra de Cubas is part of the historic Bodegas San Valero group, one of the pioneering cooperatives in the Cariñena D.O.P. (Denominación de Origen Protegida). Located at an elevation of 662 meters, the winery enjoys a unique microclimate that contributes to the structure and freshness of its wines. The Cariñena region, in Spain’s northeastern Aragón province, is one of the oldest winegrowing areas in the country—often underrated, but increasingly recognized for producing outstanding value wines, especially from Garnacha.
Tasting Notes
This Garnacha is full-bodied and richly textured—far from the lighter styles sometimes associated with the region. On the nose and palate, it offers an elegant mix of ripe red and dark fruit, with subtle savory notes adding complexity. There’s a nice backbone of acidity that keeps the wine lively and food-friendly, though the finish is relatively short. What it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in balance and charm.
This is a versatile red for the table. Try it with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, or even a roast beef sandwich. It would also work beautifully with herb-crusted lamb.
I’m a big fan of the Garnacha grape. In France the grape is Grenache but it is entirely the same grape, just a different spelling and prononication. The Garnacha/Grenache grape is usually blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. Related review: Gerard Bertrand Corbières