2011 Espectacle del Montsant

I suspect 2011 was too harsh for Garnacha, though the Cariñena behaved better. The 2011 Espectacle del Montsant shows signs of the heat on the organic and earthy nose with hints of malted cereals, graphite and peat and a core of ripe cherries in liqueur, akin to a Châteauneuf du Pape. The palate is lush with equally ripe flavors, plums, Morello cherries and very supple, tasty flavors. I like the palate better than the nose, but this does not reach the quality of 2010 or 2012. Still, a very good wine for such a warm, difficult vintage for Garnacha.