Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Garnacha Tintorera 2018

 The special wines in this line are labeled with “Los Losares” being by far the most prominent wording on the front label, indicating usage of fruit derived from very old, un-grafted vines grown at high elevations of over 900 meters.  Vine age is roughly 80 years.  The farming is organic, and the wine sees 14 months of aging in 300 liter casks.  This is the finest wine tasted in my first encounter with 8 bottlings from this bodega, and it outperforms most of the comparable ultra-old-vine wines of this type from Aragón appellations such as Campo de Borja, Cariñena or Calatayud.  Very rich and full in body, it is nevertheless not over-ripe or pruny — which is the typical downfall of wines of this type.  Moreover, it has already soaked up all the overt oak that it might have shown at earlier stages of its development, and now presents as a fully integrated wine that is still admirably fresh with primary fruit.  Dark berry and black cherry fruit aromas and flavors are pure and punchy, but the texture is all about softness and generosity.  Sexy wine at an attractive price.  If you see it, snag it.