Copy of The Witches Wine Has Arrived - An Off-The-Beaten-Path Value Find from 80-Yr-Old Vine Mountai

New Arrivals: Spain's “Witch of Rozas” Has Arrived. The Village Wine and 1er Cru Cuvee from Spain’s “Most Exciting New Project!” It Is an Alto Piemonte and Burgundian-Like Expression from 850 Meters and 80-Year-Old Vines!

“They [Comando G] seem to go from strength to strength and are getting closer to their goal with some of their wines achieving world-class status! This is one of the most exciting new projects, not only in Gredos, but in the whole of Spain… I tasted the latest bottled wines from Comando G that are hitting the market now, the regional and village wines from 2022 and the single-vineyard 2021s. This is the finest collection of wines I have ever tasted from Comando G, each of them with a different personality, more and more evident each year.” - Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

For nine years now, we have been stating Comando G is “one of the most exciting new projects, in the whole of Spain.” Well, it only gets better with the 2022 and 2021 vintage as the Iberian artisan has a tremendous follow-up to the standout 2020s and 2019s, producing an even more vibrant expression – the most high toned to date. And while the La Bruja de Rozas or as it whimsically translates, “The Witch of Rozas” is a great introduction to the wines, to really understand the buzz around this estate and producer begins with the signature Comando G Rozas 1er Cru. And what you should know is that the 2021 marks the final vintage of this heralded bottling as we have come to know it, as we are also introducing the completely new wine, the 2022 Navaltalgordo – which is the evolution of the Rozas 1er Cru.

As listed above, there are powerful words and strong reviews surrounding this estate, but the truth is there is a lot to discover from this heralded artisanal producer Comando G and their revelatory wines – that is if you can find them! Located off-the-beaten-path an hour northwest of Madrid, it is here in the weathered hilltop vineyards that abut the Sierra de Gredos that you will find the Burgundian-like expressions of mountain Garnacha (Grenache) from Comando G. These are now the most sought-after wines from Spain by insiders and the trade, alike. While the single vineyard bottlings command more than $200 -500+ and sell out quickly, the good news is we are able to offer an unbelievable taste of this Bodega with 2022 Bodegas Comando La Burja de Rozas, and more importantly, the last of the Comando G Rozas 1er Cru, and the brand new and exciting 2022 Navaltalgordo.

While technically not a single vineyard expression, this “premier cru” level wine, produced from high altitudes and old gnarly vines, is only available at a handful of merchants, as a miniscule quantity arrives in the U.S. from the small 1,000 case production. In fact, there is no more available at the importer, this is a final three cases. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! It truly is a fantastic introduction to “one of the most exciting projects in Spain at the moment,” combining elements of Alto Piemonte, Burgundy, and Priorat all together in one glass while remaining uniquely Gredos – in a word, awesome!

The focus here is the new releases from warmer and more generous 2022, and the cooler, sharper, more upright 2021 vintage - including the prized Rozas 1er Cru. It is worth noting many of these wines are being presented at the best price in the country with substantial savings.

FEATURED WINES: Premier Cru-like Wines of Spain’s Hottest Producer 

Debuted in 2008, Comando G (owner/winemakers; Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia) was founded to create the best Grenache wines. Having already established themselves at their own wineries, Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia decided to come together to redefine what was once considered an “inferior” grape variety. A combination of old vines, mineral-rich soils, high altitude, and exceptional care in the cellar result in outstanding aromatic and intensely flavorful wines at Comando G. The 2022 La Bruja de Rozas is sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards located around the town of Rozas de Puerto Real, at altitudes of roughly 850 meters. It is a lithe and winsome example of mountain Garnacha with deep minerality and slightly firm tannin. This is Garnacha that truly encapsulates the Spanish highlands terroir, with “tantalizing nose of flowers, with an herbal twist, wild strawberries and a flinty hint.” And at under $35, this is one of the most well-received value Spanish reds of 2022!

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

2021 Bodegas Comando G Rozas 1er Cru 

"Rozas 1er Cru comes from 6 vineyard plots, totaling 6 ha, of Garnacha located near Rozas de Puerto Real and at the foot of Cerro de los Corzos where the Las Umbrias vineyard located. Similar to its “little” sibling, La Bruja, Rozas 1er Cru is a lithe and winsome example of mountain Garnacha, but with a deeper minerality and slightly firmer tannin, hence the Burgundian inspired name."

Christoper Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “Like we say on all the wines of Comando G, the intoxicating aromatics alone make this wine worth the price of admission. There are truly striking aromas of macerated strawberries, cherries, red licorice, herbs and flowers, with a touch of minerality. It is true, there is a Burgundian sensibility to the wine and it is deserving of its self-titled Premier Cru (1er Cru), but this is Spain and it remains true to exceptional pricing. On the palate there is explosive red fruit with bright nuances of wild strawberries, raspberries, coupled with blood orange, violets, fennel, potpourri and spice. This wine is juicy, high in energy and acid, with tremendous inner perfume, a touch of sweet ripe fruit, all while remaining incredibly light on its feet through its dry, marathon finish. . It is truly New Spain meets Rustic Spain and is a high acid wine that finishes dry and screams for some Spanish pork-based dishes. This high-toned wine that can appeal to fans of the mountain wines of Alto Piemonte, like the Petterino Gattinara Riserva, and Valle d’Aoste, as well as Burgheads and beyond. This is a great way to experience what the cult crus of Comando G are all about – some of the most difficult finds in all of Spain!”

Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The last vintage of the Rozas 1er Cru as it is now is the 2021, because the wine changes in 2022. The 2021 Rozas 1er Cru, a lieu-dit red from the village of Rozas de Puerto Real, is from the same plots as in previous years but cropped from a cool year. They used full clusters with long macerations, an infusion, and it aged in large oak foudres for one year. It's a serious, austere and cold vintage for this wine, which is narrow, mineral and sharp but with full development of flavors, as they picked the grapes at very good ripeness, and the wine finished with 14% alcohol. With time in the glass, it developed some Rhône-ish meaty notes. It has very fine and elegant tannins, rounder than those in warmer years. It feels superb. 14,761 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2023."

2022 Bodegas Comando G Navatalgordo  

“Navatalgordo 2022 (DO Cebreros) comes from three Grenache plots planted at 1,100 meters above sea level on soils with high quartz content, which gives wines with more tension and mineral character. In Navatalgordo (Alto Alberche Valley) are the highest vineyards in the Sierra de Gredos. The aging took place in foudres, combined with concrete tanks, for 10 months.”

Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: “The 2022 Navatalgordo, a village red from the village of the same name, is one of two completely new village wines from 2022, as the one from Rozas is an evolution of the Rozas 1er Cru. This was produced to reflect the character of the village, showcasing wines with tension and sharpness. It comes from soils with lots of quartz and was made with their own grapes and ones purchased from growers that have been working together with them at an average 1,100 meters in altitude. It fermented with full clusters in concrete and oak vats with 35- to 40-day maceration, and its élevage was in concrete and oak foudres. This village produces wines with lower alcohol, lower pH and higher acidity, even in warmer years like 2022. And the wine has more color, even if the alcohol is lower, from the cold. It's a wine that needs more time, more Barolo with a chalky character and slow development. It has a very floral and expressive nose, with electric acidity, and is tense, serious. This is the 2022 that feels less like 2022... Only with time in the glass did it develop some meaty aromas (Bovril?) and spiciness, which pointed at a warmer year and more Gevrey character. It has a contained 13% alcohol and a pH of around 3.0! Incredible parameters for a year like 2022.”

This is an email ONLY offer! Should you have any questions on these exciting wines, or would like to take advantage of this offering (that is only available until 11:59pm, January 28th), we are asking that orders be emailed back to chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, or connect with your Portfolio Manager AND mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris