Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha

Normally, I’m a fan of Layer Cake wines. They make nice wines that are approachable but still somewhat complex. I do find them slightly overpriced for what they are depending on the year but some years are really great. When I saw the Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha on sale for $5 at one of my local wine stores, I had to pick it up.

Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha comes in at 14.5% ABV. It doesn’t taste that strong but you will feel this one. All the fruit is from Spain, the wine was hand harvested, and aged in French Oak. I chilled the wine down to 60 degrees and used my Vinturi aerator. I used a stemless red wine glass for the tasting. The wine had a deep black fruit aroma when opened. The wine was blackened violet with a brick rim.

The Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha has a moderately perfumed nose full of black fruit with hints of red berries, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, and a smoky chili pepper like ancho. The wine tastes like it smells but the flavor is cut short. The finish is actually fairly long with dried fruits, coffee, vanilla, oak, tobacco and hints of pepper. It’s more finish than actual flavor. The palate just seems to sail by in the blink of an eye. As the wine opens up you get a dried fruit quality and some raisin in the finish. The body is nice and the tannins are noticeable but not harsh.

I feel like the Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha was just past it’s prime drinking year. It’s good and worth a sale buy if you can find it. I would consider getting this again and pairing it with a chocolate based dessert. If the palate was longer, I’d rate this higher. For those of you who love the finish of a wine, check it out. For now, I’m giving it 85 points.

Have you tried the Layer Cake 2011 Garnacha? Let me know what you thought!