Wine of the week: 2013 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Crianza

Spain continues to provide a font of red wines with great bang for the buck. Exhibit A: the 2013 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Crianza, which has surprising, surpassing depth, structure and length for an $11 wine. This wine from the hills of Catalonia, where the Romans and later the Knights Templar planted grapes, is all about the red fruit, with cherry and berry notes on the nose and the palate. The acid and mineral characteristics are spot-on, making this a mouthwatering crowd-pleaser, perfect for holiday parties. The touches of meat and smoke make it ideal for (duh) smoked or grilled meats, but it also should play well with mushroom dishes and Tex-Mex food.

Available at Thomas, Lake Wine & Spirits, North Loop and Midway.