Evodia Garnacha – Crazy good at $7

Excellent and palate-pleasing red from Aragon

2014 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha – Costco $6.99

Note: Mollie Stone’s carries this wine for about $10.

I purchased the 2014 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha at the South San Francisco Airport Costco Store. What a terrific wine for $7! A week later I shopped at the Foster City Costco, looking to buy this same wine for a Labor Day backyard gathering of family and friends. I was surprised that the Foster City Costco did not carry the Evodia. The Costco clerk mentioned that the smaller Costco stores do not carry as many wine labels. So, back to the Airport Costco.

The Altoviinum Evodia is a Garnacha wine from the wine region in Spain known as Calatayud. The importer is Eric Solomon. Eric manages to find stunning wines from Spain and France, geared for the pocketbook-conscious wine consumer. The Elodia was produced specifically for Eric Solomon by winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage of Bodegas San Alejandro. The Garnacha comes from vines over 100 years old, growing at high altitude in slate soils. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks. Both Robert Parker and Antonio Gallione (Vinuous) rate the Elodia 90 Points. Wine-Searcher indicates the average price is $9. This is a fantastic wine bargain even at the $9 average price.

My Tasting Notes – 2014 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha  89 Points

• Beautiful white pepper with red fruit on the nose
• We love the balance in the wine, no flaws
• Medium in body and spice-friendly
• Finish is moderate

Food pairing with the 2014 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha

• Mushroom Pizza
• Chicken on the grill
• Rice dishes
• Chinese food without a lot of spice
• Turkey sandwich
• Hard cheese

Interesting note from the Wine Spectator on the Evodia

While doing some Google searching on the Evodia, I came across a review by wine writer Tim Fish, who covers much of the California Wine Scene. The title: A Spanish Red Value that Puts California to Shame, When it comes to bang for the buck, Evodia Garnacha leaves the Golden State in the dust. The article was written in 2013 reviewing the 2011 Evodia. Tim Fish says: “Why can’t more wine regions—particularly California—make wines like Altovinum’s Evodia Old Vines Garnacha Calatayud 2011. I’m sure the economics conspire against it, but I’d like to see California match that same bang for the buck. It’s not really until you reach $15 or $20 a bottle that California can compete on the same quality level.” Let’s put that challenge out there to our California winemakers.  Please comment if you know a good California wine that can earn respectable scores from wine critics that sell for $10.