Turkey And Tres Picos

Eat; drink; stuff yourself; and then drink some more. This is Thanksgiving Day at my place and at most of yours as well, I’m sure. At my table we eat the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing all with the usual holiday flare, but my wine of choice is by no means traditional. For the past years we have enjoyed the latest release of the Borsao Winery in Campo de Borja – Tres Picos. I was getting a little worried a couple of weeks ago when I realized that I did not have the latest Tres Picos release for my holiday table, but thankfully the 2008 vintage arrived in San Diego just in time to continue my Thanksgiving tradition.

Tres Picos is yet another fantastic wine from the Borsao winery in Campo de Borja (more on this region in a minute). Boasting 100% Garnacha this wine is cherry red in color and exudes aromas of ripe red fruits, minerals, and cracked pepper. On the palate, this spicy wine is balanced with flavors of blackberries, strawberries, vanilla, and plums and a long, smooth finish. The grapes are harvested from 35 to 40 year old vines that sit on uneven terrain at an altitude of 600 to 700 meters (2000 to 2300 feet). The wine pairs wonderfully with turkey because it tends to exhibit many of the characteristics of a Pinot Noir. Incidentally, for those who normally only buy wines by rating here is something for you: The last five vintages (2004-2008) all received 90 or 91 points by Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, and/or Stephen Tanzer.

Campo de Borja

Now a little about the region Campo de Borja (CdB) – the self-proclaimed “Empire of Garnacha.” The area is situated in the Northeast of the province of Zaragoza (located in the Northeast corner of Spain) and was granted D.O. status in 1980. The “vine-growing assets” (as their site refers to them) are very rich when it comes to growing Garnacha. The oldest vineyards date back to the year 1145 and more than 2000 hectares (4900 acres) of the 5000 hectares (12,300 acres) are between 30 and 50 years old. The production is not high, helping winemakers to capitalize on the structural and aromatic complexity of the yield.

Approximately 75% of the total grape production is from Garnacha and Tempranillo (Garnacha being more than 62% of total production). Other red varietals appearing in much smaller percentages are Mazuela, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. White wine grapes account for less than 5% of the total (Macabeo, Moscatel, and Chardonnay). The younger red wines, produced with 100% Garnacha as well as blends, tend towards fruity and flowery aromas with a meaty and intense palate and show aspects of modernity. The crianzas, reservas, and grand reservas (after aging in oak and bottle) become balanced, round, and velvety.

The wines of Campo de Borja are certainly worth seeking out. They are generally very reasonably priced (the 2008 Tres Picos averages about $15/bottle) and can be enjoyed young. There is no need to wait another year before you give this a shot. Grill a turkey breast and have a glass (or bottle) of Tres Picos. Enjoy!

Life is short. Drink great wine!