GRILLO 2016

About Grillo

Grillo is the flagship red cuvée from Bodegas El Grillo y la Luna, a boutique family estate located in Barbastro within D.O. Somontano, situated in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. The winery operates under a philosophy of patience and zero haste, respecting nature’s timelines to achieve maximum phenolic expression.

Vineyards are planted on steep hillside terraces with gravelly, stony clay-limestone soils offering exceptional drainage. Grapes are manually harvested in small 12-kg crates during the coolest hours and undergo a double sorting process (bunches and berries). Vinification takes place in open French oak vats (foudres) using traditional manual punch-downs (pigeage). The wine is aged for 13–14 months in 100% new French oak barrels (225L), followed by 3 to 4 years of subterranean cellar aging in the bottle before release.

Climate & Comprehensive Sensory Profile

The Somontano microclimate benefits from cool currents descending from the Pyrenees, generating marked diurnal temperature swings that allow slow, complete phenolic maturation while locking in vital natural freshness.

• Appearance: Deep, near-opaque dark ruby-garnet robe with intense purple rims. Clean and luminous, displaying slow, viscous tears running down the glass.

• Aroma: Highly concentrated, noble, and multifaceted. Intense dark fruits fuse seamlessly with balsamic nuances, freshly cracked black pepper, roasted coffee, dark cocoa, sweet vanilla, and aromatic wild scrubland (garrigue).

• Palate: Broad, structured, and commanding on entry. Full-bodied and fleshy with pure fruit concentration balanced by cooling mountain acidity. Tannins are muscular, sweet, and polished to perfection, concluding in an enduring finish filled with toasted notes, bitter cocoa, and savory spices.