The Wines of Bodegas Paniza

Founded in 1953, Bodegas Paniza is located and named after the village where the winery is located. Paniza is located just south of at the rise of the Iberico Mountain range.

Paniza is the smallest of the three cooperatives that we have been discussing the past three weeks.

This cooperative is made up of 400 growers who grow on 6,200 acres of land. There are many different micro-climates within the 6,200 acres with a mix of limestone, sand and clay stone soils.  The oldest vines are planted above 2,800 feet and that gives the grapes natural richness and complexity.

For this pairing I grilled a Porterhouse steak and potatoes. Now that the menu is set, the pairing are Bodegas Paniza 2008 Artigazo and 2012 Vinas Viejas de Paniz Garnacha

We'll begin with the younger wine, the 2012 Vinas Viejas de Paniza Garnacha. The grapes for this wine are planted in the slate soils that are above 2,800 feet.  It is very apparent as the minerality and wet slate all comes through in the wine.  The wines did spend 6 months in oak.

There is a combination of both red and black fruit on the nose and on the palate.  As the wine begins to open there is some sour cherry, vanilla and toffee that come through with some chocolate notes. A very nice fresh wine that talks fun.  SRP $18

The Bodegas Paniza 2008 Artigazo is a little more mature wine and did pair with the steak much better than the Garanche. This wine is a blend of  40 year old vines of 40% Garnacha, 30 % Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  

The wine is strong on the black fruit and very concentrated. There are even hints of balsamic.  The palate is juicy and some raspberry shines through along with hints of black tar. The wine had very nice body and paired very well with the Filet Mignon side of the Porterhouse steak. (In case you didn't realize, a Porterhouse is one side NY Strip the other Filet Mignon. I'm a butcher's grand daughter)  This wine is a little more expensive than the others we have tasted at SRP $27.