Our 2016 Old Vine Garnacha celebrates 4 years in can

This was one of the first wines that we canned, in July 2020, after stumbling across Norrel Robertson MW – The Flying Scotsman. Norrel had 2016 Garnacha resting in barrel, grown on his 45 to 100-year-old vines in Aragon in North-East Spain and we took the lot. 

Back then it resembled chocolate coated cherries and had a velvety mouthfeel from undergoing softening in old oak barrels for three years (2016 was a hot year in Spain resulting in a high alcohol wine which needed extra time softening in oak). 5-10% of the wine was also fermented and matured in new oak contributing hints of vanilla and spice to the bright fruit profile. 

“When we first sent our Old Vine Garnacha to be canned, I asked for samples to be sent back to us in Spain to taste. I gave the wine blind to a few wine trade members here in Spain and they said it was good if not better than the same wine bottled at source.” – Norrel Robertson MW. 

Garnacha (also named Grenache) grapes thrive in hot climates and produce ripe and bold wines with naturally high alcohol, which is balanced by refreshing acidity and often softened using oak maturation. The grapes have thin skins which also contributes to the characteristic softness and pale colour of wines made from Garnacha as the tannins and colour compounds in red wines come from the skins. 

Our Old Vine Garnacha is well prepared to age with its high acidity and soft tannins from prolonged time in oak. It has impeccable resistance to oxidation from both antioxidants which are present in the skins of black grapes and gentle exposure to oxygen during its time in barrel – not to forget some intentional micro-oxygenation during its shipment to the UK for canning!

Today, the 2016 Garnacha has developed into something new, yet just as exceptional. Now, flavours of dried strawberry, cherry liqueur, raisin, leather, charcoal and forest floor take the stage with vanilla and dark chocolate characters still singing as they did in the beginning. This 8-year-old wine is still going strong with no signs of tiring at 4 years in can – how much longer could it live? Only time will tell. 

“I am glad to announce that a few years down the line this wine still continues to amaze with integrity, longevity and complexity.” – Norrel Robertson MW. 

For anyone who thinks that red wine doesn’t belong in a can, think again. Our (as it stands) immortal 2016 Old Vine Garnacha is a superb example of how well-made, quality wines are capable of demonstrating longevity in a can! Something that we at Canned Wine Co. are striving to conquer through the pursuit of technical excellence.