Las Moradas de San Martin, Vinos de Madrid DO (Spain) Garnacha 2011

 First, please note that this decade-old wine is the current release.  Secondly, if you read the label and note its 15 percent stated-alcohol, you might be put off.  Don’t be.  I can’t explain it, but Garnacha can carry that level of alcohol beautifully, as this wine shows.  Sure, it’s a big winter time wine, but it delivers spice and a panoply of fruit flavors in a balanced package.  Despite its age, the tannins are still a little coarse, but you will not notice them this winter when there is a slice of leg of lamb on your plate.