The wonderful story of two young men who produce excellent wines from ancient abandoned vineyards.
It was about 2008 when Daniel Jimenez-Landi and Fernando Garcia began together to create their dream. Passionate and lovers of wine the young men were determined to produce wines of high quality and with its own character; Comando G had born.
They choose Comando G as brand name for the construction of their dream, an allusion to the japanese anime series (科学忍者隊ガッチャマン, Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman) broadcasted in Spain in the 80's. The "G" stands for Garnacha, spanish name for grenache, for Gredos, the Sierra de Gredos where they produce their wines, and for Granite, the predominant mineral in the vineyards.
They choose Comando G as brand name for the construction of their dream, an allusion to the japanese anime series
Sierra de Gredos, the mountain range where Comando G produce their wines, is located in between five provinces in the center of Spain. The provinces are Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Salamanca y Caceres. The Garnacha is the local grape of the area.
In the past the grenache was used to make bulk wines that ended up being unknown blends. Some local wineries change their production to international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in an attemp to save from bankruptcy. Others just abandoned the vineyards and stop producing grenache.
Daniel Jimenez Landi and Fernando Garcia had a dream, to revive that abandoned and ancients vineyards in Sierra de Gredos and give the deserved glory to the grenache and terroir. They made so many trips to France, Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, and to Italy, Sicily and the area of Barolo. There they study about the importance of Terroir and learn about the philosophy of the identity. They have spent the last 10 years discovering and recovering small plots and legendary vineyards, where the conditions were perfect to produce the wine they wanted to do.
They have spent the last 10 years discovering and recovering small plots and legendary vineyards where the conditions were perfect to produce the wine they wanted to do.
The journey started in 2008, when crisis was devastating worlwide economy, with no finantial resources than the support of relatives and friends. While working in other wineries and wine shops they dedicate the free time of holidays and weekends creating elegant and quality wines. Influenced by a wine from Rousillon called "Les Sorcieres" ("the witches" in french) Comando G produce their first wine "La Bruja Averia" (Bruja is Witch in Spanish) and making again another allusion to a 80's TV children's show. They make an entry level wine; funny, fruity and juicy. The first production was only about 800 bottles and were sold to friends. With the money they got they financed the next year. The earning of the previous years were invested for future productions. After 4years they could rent a small winery of just 200sq.m and they could produce up to 70,000 bottles.
The first production was only about 800 bottles and were sold to friends.
During the decade Comando G has been buying small plots and abandoned vineyards where they work with their own hands, with no machinery. Actually they own a total of around 21ha in small plots and vineyards dispersed in Sierra de Gredos, but they manage a total of 50ha in colaboration with other wineries. The most biggest is just only 1ha. Having several vineyards allows them to produce wines with own identity, following the philosophy of the terroir.
They have became very famous internationally because of Wine Advocate high ratings and too for the recently The New York Times report about them. This tremendous popularity has caused that finding a bottle from Comando G is actually really difficult and also that retailers have increased the prices of all of their wines.
The Wines
These are the wines they are producing
Rumbo al Norte
This is the Crown Jewel of the wines of Comando G. A single varietal of grenache that it comes for a small plot of 0,3ha at 1200mts of altitude. These conditions cause the ripening cycle of the grape to be more slower so the wine are more balanced and elegants. There is a small production of under 2000 bottles, so now is very demanded and really difficult to find. Rumbo al Norte 2016 obtained 100 points Parker, the 2015 were 98 points.
Aging of 12 months in 600lt. french oak barrels. Delicate color and aroma, strong but elegant. One of the best grenache wines in the world.
El Tamboril
This is the only white wine Comando G is producing by now. Highly rated too. A 2016 with 98 points Parker and the year before 2015 with 95 points Parker.
Made from the rare variety of garnacha blanca (white grenache) and garnacha gris coming from a small vineyard of 0,2ha. Hand harvested and with an aging of 10 month in 600ltr. french oak barrels. It has too a little production of under 1000 bottles. They are hard to found and the price has increased due demand. It is now over 150 Eur if you can find it.
Tumba del Rey Moro
Another high-rated wine with 97 points Parker, the 2016.
The grenache comes for a difficult terrain with inclination of around 50%. It has an aging of 12 months in 700ltr. and 500lt. french oak barrels. It is a rustic wine but elegant, very expressive and aromatic.
The prices were around 60 Eur.
Las Umbrias
With the same winemaking method than the others of Comando G; hand harvesting, long maceration and aging of 12 months in 500lt. french oak barrels, Las Umbrias is very well balanced. A wine fresh and elegant.
The highest rating is 97 points Parker for the 2016 wines.
The prices are around 80 Eur.
Rozas 1er Cru
This wine is very juicy, mineral and intense but delicate. Aging of 12 months in 500lt. french oak barrels. The highest rating is 95 points Parker for the 2016 wines.
The 2016 has been, indeed, a very good year for Comando G.
The prices are around 30 Eur.
La Bruja de Rozas
The first wine of Comando G. It changed the name from "La Bruja Averia" to La Bruja de Rozas in 2014. Grenache comes from some vineyards in the vecinity of Las Rozas de Puerto Real town. It has an aging of 7 months in 500lt. french oak barrels. The highest rating is 92 points Parker for the 2017 wines.
A young wine fresh, light and fruity. An easy wine to drink with a high range of food pairing.
The prices are around 15 Eur.
La Mujer Cañón
This wine is produced by the collaboration of Comando G with a large wine shop with properties of small vineyard in Gredos. The production is very limited. Only two barrels of 500ltr are made. It has an aging of 12 months in 500lt. french oak barrels and it waits another 8 months in the winery before going out to market. The highest rating is 95 points Parker for the 2016 wines.
A wine with great elegance and aromas.
The prices are around 80 Eur.
El Hombre Bala
This is another wine produced under the collaboration of Comando G with the large wine shop. It has an aging of 10 months in 400~700lt. french oak barrels. The highest rating is 93 points Parker for the 2016 wines.
It is wine intense and concentrated but with the elegance of Comando G wines.
The prices are around 15 Eur.
Reina de los Deseos
Another wine produced in collaboration with the wine shop. The vineyard is oriented east, this offers wines with different character. It has an aging of 14 months in 600lt. french oak barrels. The production is very small, just 2 barrels.
The highest rating is 96 points Parker for the 2016 wines.
The prices are around 80 Eur.
If you are one of the luckiest person to find one of these jewels, you will surely delighted by the personality and elegance of the Garnacha that Comando G revived with majesty. Winelovers has the focus in the new wines of these two young men and expect them to continue the production of amazing wines for long.
