Marius Garnacha Tintorera (Single Estate) DO Almansa, Bodegas Piqueras

Marius Garnacha Tintorera is a red wine made by Bodegas Piqueras in the Almansa wine growing region of Spain. Bodegas Piqueras was founded in 1915 by Mario Bonete and the company was the driving force behind the creation of the DO Almansa. Marion was later followed by his sons Juan Pablo Bonete, who had successfully studied oenology, and Angel. Piqueras owns 190 hectares of its own vineyards and has contracts for another 500 hectares from growers. The company remains family owned, quality has steadily increased and Bodegas Piqueras move to a new, modern, purpose built winery in 2002. Today Bodegas Piqueras prove that quality wines can be made in this less-than-trendy appellation. DO Almansa is located some 100kms inland from Valencia and Alicante. The calcareous soils and cold winters with hot summers make it ideal for the cultivation of Tempranillo (known as Cencibel in Almansa), Monastrell, Syrah and Garnacha Tintorera producing grapes with good concentration and deep colour. Garnacha Tintorera (also known as Alicante) is, along with Alicante Bouché, the only grape variety with coloured flesh – Tintorera comes form the verb tenir, to dye. This is 100% Garnacha Tintorera from a single 110 hectare estate, the vineyards are situated at between 700 and 800 metres and are farmed organically. The wine is aged for 5 months in 300L American and French Allier fine grain medium-toasted oak barrels.