Altovinum "Evodia" Garnacha Old Vine 2020
(Calatayud, Spain) - [WA 91]

About the Winery:
Years ago while working on a project in Calatayud, Eric Solomon met Jean-Marc Lafage and Yolanda Diaz. Yolanda is a native of the region and knows the terruño of Calatayud better than anyone. Jean-Marc is the very talented winemaker and consultant from the Roussillon just across the border in France. Together they “discovered” a unique village in Calatayud, Atea. At 1000 meters above sea level it is the highest elevation village in the whole DO. Even more interesting is that the soil here is black schist, the same soil one can find in the Priorat and in Maury where Jean-Marc owns an estate by the name of Saint-Roch. This unique terroir and the old vines of Garnacha rooted in it, are the origins of Evodia. Altovinum is a new project - a joint partnership between Eric Solomon, Jean Marc Lafage and Yolanda Diaz. Sourcing fruit from high elevation vineyards in the village of Atea, the debut wine is EVODIA, from the Greek word for aroma.

About the Wine:
Evodia is sourced from Garnacha from the villages of  Atea, Acered and Alarba. Located in the Sierra Santa Cruz,  these steep sites (up to 25%) have various exposures but share similar soils - slate and quartzite over clay. At an average elevation of 900 meters above sea level, these vineyards are among the highest sites within the province of Aragon. This unique terroir and the old vines of Garnacha rooted in it, are the origins of Evodia. 

Technical Information

Origin: Spain
Appellation: Calatayud
Soil: Black schist
Age of Vines: 40-100 years (average)
Elevation: 800-1000 meters
Grape: 100% Garnacha
Aging: 6 months in concrete tanks (80%) and neutral French and American oak barrels, and concrete eggs (20%)

Tasting Notes: 
This 100% Garnacha offers a lovely perfume of spice box, mineral, and wild cherry. This perfectly balanced mix of flavors lends itself to an intensely fruity wine with loads of taste, a smooth texture, and a pure, fruit-filled finish.

Pairs well with white and red meats roasted or grilled, big game, meat casseroles and stews, complex sauces, foie gras and legumes or blue and cured cheeses.

Ratings & Reviews

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The very young and juicy 2020 Evodia comes from a year with more rain than average and moderately warm temperatures that resulted in an early harvest of a generous crop that delivered wines of lower alcohol (14.5%) and more freshness. It fermented with some 20% full clusters and had a very soft vinification and extraction with no pump-overs. This is always very aromatic (it's what the name means), and in 2020 it's even paler and more ethereal then the 2019 that was already impressive and quite a change from previous vintages and other wines from the cooperative. Only 20% of the volume matured in oak and the wine is not oaky at all and has contained ripeness and very light extraction. This is bright and elegant, fresh and very pleasant to drink. Incredible for the price." - Luis Gutierrez (Nov 2021)