Xiloca, Vino de la Tierra Ribera del Jiloca (Aragon, Spain) Garnacha 2009

 Although this wine rings up at $11, it was a clear favorite over three wines made from Zinfandel and Syrah (all priced more than three times higher) when paired with a lightly spicy Mexican casserole.  You might think that was an anomaly produced by the pairing, but when tasted again later by itself and again with simple aged cheese, it once again showed extraordinary quality in relation to its price.  Packed with fruit recalling black as well as red cherries, it is nevertheless not just a fruit bomb, and you’ll find appealing savory notes and a pleasant hint of earthiness that make this enduringly interesting to taste.