Team C&J
Spain’s Navarra region, known for its robust reds and innovative winemakers, brings us a hidden gem in the form of Azul y Garanza’s 2021 Naturaleza Salvaje. This wine, crafted from 100% Garnacha Blanca, reflects the dynamic trio of Dani Sánchez, María Barrena, and Fernando Barrena’s commitment to organic farming and low-intervention winemaking. Grown in the high-altitude vineyards of San Isidro del Pinar, this Garnacha Blanca showcases the region’s distinctive terroir and the winemakers’ vision for producing wines that are not only delicious but rooted in sustainable practices.
Azul y Garanza, a standout winery in Navarra, has a knack for making wines that speak to both nature and innovation. This is no exception. With organic grapes harvested from clay-calcareous soils at an elevation of 550 meters, this wine is the epitome of balance between the forces of nature and winemaking expertise. The vineyard, located near the striking landscapes of the Bardenas Reales desert and the foothills of the Pyrenees, offers grapes that express the uniqueness of this harsh yet captivating environment.
Despite enduring a hot summer and little rainfall, the Garnacha Blanca grapes flourished, producing healthy, aromatic fruit with concentrated flavors. The dry conditions accelerated the harvest, resulting in smaller yet intensely flavored berries with thick skins, perfect for skin-contact winemaking. This traditional method of fermenting the wine with its skins for five days, using natural yeast, imbues the wine with a subtle amber hue and a complex structure, enhancing its texture and depth.
The 2021 Naturaleza Salvaje is crafted in amphora—a vessel that allows for slow oxygenation—preserving the integrity of the fruit while adding a subtle earthiness to the wine. This method respects the grape’s natural characteristics, elevating its citrus and stone fruit profile while maintaining freshness and acidity. The result is a beautifully balanced wine that sings with vibrant flavors and a long, satisfying finish.
What sets this wine apart is not just its winemaking technique, but the philosophy behind it. Azul y Garanza’s winemakers aim to express the purest essence of the fruit and the land from which it comes. Their low-intervention approach avoids chemical additives and excessive manipulation, allowing the wine to develop naturally, thus offering a true reflection of the vineyard’s microclimate and soil.
The Garnacha Blanca used in this bottling is rare in itself. While traditionally found in regions like Priorat and the southern Rhône, it’s a varietal that thrives in Navarra’s arid climate, offering a bright, aromatic profile. Its adaptability allows it to showcase both the power and elegance of the region’s terroir.
Appearance: The wine pours a clear, pale amber color, hinting at the skin contact it undergoes during fermentation. Its glow in the glass suggests depth and maturity.
Note: The aromatics are bold and fully developed, offering pronounced notes of citrus—lemon, and lime—alongside saline and wet stone elements. There’s a distinctive mineral edge reminiscent of sea spray and gravel, grounding the fruit’s brightness with an earthy undertone.
Palate: On the palate, this wine is dry with medium-plus acidity that brings a refreshing zip, balanced by low tannins and a subtle alcohol presence at 12.5%. The flavors evolve with every sip, beginning with ripe melon, pineapple, and apricot, then shifting to stone fruits like peach and grapefruit. Citrus notes of lemon and lime interplay with delicate hints of honey, giving the wine a layered complexity. There’s a lot going on here—every taste reveals something new and intriguing, keeping your palate engaged from start to finish.
The 2021 Naturaleza Salvaje by Azul y Garanza is a wine that beautifully balances complexity with approachability. For $35, it offers remarkable value, particularly for those seeking an organic, low-intervention white with character. Its bright acidity and layered flavors make it an ideal companion for a range of dishes—think fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, or a simple tapas spread. Though delightful now, this wine has the structure to age gracefully, developing even more nuance over the next few years.
For wine lovers searching for a fresh take on Spanish whites, especially those with a penchant for natural wines, the Naturaleza Salvaje will not disappoint. It’s a wild yet polished expression of Garnacha Blanca, born from the rugged beauty of Navarra’s vineyards. Drink now or cellar until 2028; either way, you’ll be rewarded with a glass full of vibrant energy and a connection to the land that birthed it.
Spain
Navarra
Garnacha Blanca
12.5
Dani Sánchez, María Barrena, and Fernando Barrena
49–55°F / 9–12°C
Chardonnay
N/A
Now to 2028
Azul y Garanza
All things wine, and food you could ever need or want — straight to your email!
