The wines from Juan Gil Bodegas’s family, especially bodegas Atalaya Laya, have always been a great value, boarding on a bargain of a wine. When looking for information on this wine, the 2021 Laya, I found this review by a consumer on a well-known website:

“DON’T BUY THIS WINE. I WANT IT ALL, AND I DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT IT, FORGET I EVEN MENTIONED IT.” Sean McCon

Sad to say, Laya is that kind of rare gem that comes along and you want to hoard it because it is so good and affordable. There are no big marketing dollars to press this wine on the masses, so we can keep this little secret to ourselves and enjoy knowing that it is well worth three or four times what other wines of this caliber are fetching. America’s leading wine authority, the Wine Advocate, and Spain’s most comprehensive wine guide, Guia Penin, speak highly of this wine, awarding it over 90 pts for the last seven years. Still, again, I employ you not to tell anyone because there will be less for the rest of us. In fact, as soon I finish writing this, I will purchase this wine and put it away from prying eyes.

For 100 years, Juan Gil Family Estates has been crafting some of Spain’s greatest value-priced wines, tapping into the viticultural bounty of Spain’s “sleeper” regions, crafting wines high in quality and low in price. In 2007, the family headed north of Jumilla to the neighboring DO of Almansa, one of the smallest growing regions in Castilla-La Mancha. The DO of Almansa, where the limestone soils, long, hot summers, cold winters, and sparse rainfall result in low-yield vines. Low yields result in grapes with intensely concentrated flavors.

Bodegas Atalaya is a small estate with vineyards located on poor soils, rich in limestone, at an altitude of 2300-3300 ft. The area has a continental climate with very low rainfall (less than 14 inches/year), which creates the perfect conditions to keep yields low, lending to high-quality fruit with great concentration of color and flavor. The vineyards are all dry-farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides. The Almansa Denomination of Origin, a little-known denomination, is where the Garnacha Tintorera grape is queen.

“Garnacha Tintorera is one of the most difficult grapes to tame but gives its best when drinking it.” Miguel Gil, proprietor of Atalaya, can speak with knowledge of the facts since he has been working for decades with many different indigenous varieties in different areas of Spain. He is the one who has also warned us that Garnacha should not be misleading and that this grape has little to do with the best-known Garnacha. “Where most red wines have clear pulp and get their color from the skins, Garnacha Tintorera is different. The color of its pulp is a dark tone, just like its skin. This interesting feature makes the wines from this type of grape have a very attractive color intensity. Its dark color, a strong cherry red, perfectly coordinates with the intensity of its flavor, with hints of olive and black pepper, dark chocolate, and a delicious red and ripe black fruits finish. Its location in the territory of the D.O. Almansa makes for a potent harvest in the summer months and favors its development due to the large number of sunlight hours the area has. Ultimately, the Garnacha Tintorera is a grape with very distinctive characteristics, which wine enthusiasts find interesting due to its freshness.” Garnacha Tintorera is also known as ‘Alicante Bouschet,’ which resulted from crossing the French’ grenache’ and ‘petit bouschet.’

Laya was featured in an offering a few years ago and quickly earned itself a cult following among staff and customers who enjoy rich, fruit-driven reds. The 2022 has exceeded the high standards set by its predecessors. A blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorea (Alicante Bouschet) with its violet pulp and 30% Monastrell with its strength. Maceration and fermentation are carried out separately in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. After malolactic fermentation, the wine has remained in stainless steel tanks until bottled.

It is a unique wine that combines complexity, structure, and an intense covered cherry red color. Elegant, fresh, and complex nose where ripe fruits and floral notes are appreciated. Pleasant and fresh entry on the palate, balanced and with sweet tannins, although youthful, unctuous, and enveloping, with an original and interesting mid-palate and a long finish.

Blend: 70% Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) 30% Monastrell

Deep cherry color. Aromas of dried herbs, creamy oak, ripe fruit, black fruit, black licorice, and balsamic herbs. The wine has flavors of powerful, ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins. Guia Penin 90 pts (Spain’s most famous and comprehensive wine guide)

The juicy and leafy 2022 Laya was produced with 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Monastrell, looking for a fruit-driven and easy-to-drink red with 14.5% alcohol, ripe fruit, and a soft texture. It’s clean, expressive, and fruit-driven, with pungent flavors and round tannins. It keeps its poise in the warm 2022. It matured in French oak barrels for four months. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 90 pts

Bodegas Atalaya Laya 2022  

To be frank, I was a little concerned about tasting the 2022 Laya. After all, it has been our go-to value wine in a category of Spanish wines known for its go-to wines. Right after popping the cork, my concerns instantly evaporated, as did the wine, with everyone having second glasses. The wine pours an inky red garnet that seems to stain the sides of the glass—a bombastic nose of ripe red fruits, lingonberry, and star of anise. An expansive palate included juicy blackberry and blueberry compote. A lush, full-bodied, lush mouthfeel, light tannins, and moderate acidity bring it all into balance and carry the wine to a long dry finish of bitter cherry. As it evolved in the glass, notes of mushroom, buttermilk biscuits, and seasoning of thyme, paprika, and cinnamon. Tim G called this “the most complex wine for under $10”. You should buy this fantastic wine but don’t tell anyone. That will leave more for the rest of us.

Regular Price: $8.99

Internet Average Price: $10

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

 Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

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