I often buy wines that have caught my eye during press tastings and I first spotted this one at a Lidl press tasting early in 2024. It has been sitting around for a while, being overlooked as newer wines arrived. However, I decided to open it on a whim and was amazed by how good it turned out to be.
This Garnacha comes from Navarra, Spain, with a 14% ABV and from the 2021 vintage. It’s light to medium-bodied with a very light colour. The wine is dry and impressively fragrant, offering raspberry and cherry notes. These aromas evolve into a more complex palate of earthy, herby and fruity flavours. In the initial Lidl tasting I thought it had a unique character, but in reflection I have had several USA Pinot Noirs with a similar profile – light-bodied but bold in aroma, flavour as well as alcohol.
James Button scored it 90 for Decanter and I found I enjoyed it even more on a second tasting. Sadly, it’s part of Lidl’s limited-time wine tour and isn’t available at the moment, but I’m hopeful it will make a return next year.
