Comando G Rozas 1er Cru Garnacha 2020 750ml

Product Info

95pts Wine Advocate
There's one vineyard in the 2020 Rozas 1er Cru that does not make it to the final blend in warmer years (2019, 2017, 2022) but does in cooler ones (2021, 2020), so there's a little bit more wine of this vineyard blend from the village of Rozas de Puerto Real that follows the work in previous years. Due to COVID-19, there were no events or travels, so they focused on their vineyard work like never before in their lives, and this wine combines the floral character (rose petals) with the austerity of the granite. It's a little more generous than in 2018 and 2016 due to the last few days before the harvest when the weather got very warm. The texture shows the silt and iron from Rozas, which makes it tight. 13,186 bottles and 150 magnums produced. It was bottled in January 2022. Drink Date: 2023 - 2032

Comando G, what to say about Comando G... They have been downsizing their operation and fine-tuning their wines that are expressive of their sites and their vintages, achieving amazing precision. After years of working with old vines, they started planting vines for the long haul ("We want these new vineyards to last 200 years, not 80 years") and focusing on three locations: Navatalgordo, Villanueva de Ávila and Rozas de Puerto Real. Today, there are some 70,000-80,000 bottles in total, but from 2023 onward, there will be no more than 50,000. These are highly sought-after wines that deliver world-class Garnacha. Unfortunately, the prices are escalating. Published: May 31, 2023  Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

Terroir & Vineyard
This wine comes from the estate Comando G, located in the high-altitude region of the Sierra de Gredos (Madrid, Spain). The vineyards for “Rozas Premier-Cru” lie near the village of Rozas de Puerto Real at around 900-1,000 metres above sea level, in granite-based soils with silt and iron components. The high elevation and poor, stony soils promote low yields, bright acidity and fine tannic structure.

Winemaking & Craftsmanship
This is a 100% Garnacha (Grenache) wine sourced from several old-vine plots in the Rozas area. The 2020 vintage was harvested in a cooler vintage, which allowed for a slightly more generous ripening compared with some prior vintages, while still retaining a firm mineral spine. Fermentation and ageing are done with attention to site expression—Comando G emphasises low intervention, native yeasts, and a respect for the vineyard’s character.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Medium to deep ruby-red, clear and expressive of youthful Garnacha.
• Aroma: Aromas of wild red berries (strawberry, rasp­-/cherry), rose petals, violet florals, a note of white pepper, gamey nuance and crushed granite/mineral under-note. One reviewer described “rose petals … the austerity of the granite.”
• Palate: On the palate this wine offers vibrant, lively acidity, precise red fruit, and a textural minerality derived from the silt and iron in the Rozas soils. The tannins are fine-grained, chalky, and the finish is long and clear rather than overly opulent.
• Structure & Ageing: While drinkable now with some aeration, the fine structure and elevation make it suitable for short- to medium-term cellaring (5-10 years) to allow the tertiary notes to emerge and tannins to soften further.

Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions

• Serving temperature: Aim for 16-17 °C (60-63 °F). Consider decanting for 20-30 minutes to open the aromatics.
• Food pairings:
• Grilled or roasted pork tenderloin with herb crust, or free-range chicken with Mediterranean herbs.
• Lamb with rosemary, wild mushrooms & garlic.
• Mature sheep’s-milk cheese (e.g., aged Manchego) or mild goat cheese served with red-fruit jam or compote.
• Roasted root vegetables (e.g., beet, parsnip) with a drizzle of balsamic reduction — to match the wine’s mineral and red-fruit character.