Known for bold red fruit flavors with a hint of spice, Garnacha (also called Grenache) is a workhorse of the wine world. The French claim it, but it probably originated in Spain’s Aragon region before spreading across the Mediterranean.
Garnacha is a hardy, high-yielding vine–one that can be counted on to produce good-to-great wines even at the lowest price points. (That’s a superpower that makes Pinot Noir and Cabernet super jealous.)
It’s also one of my favorite varieties for everyday drinking. So when we peeked ahead in the Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar (yes, we peeked), we were excited to see that the final dry red wine in the queue is a Spanish Garnacha.
But this year, the reds from the advent calendar have been lackluster, even vile. So, will Brillo Solar be a ray of sunshine to light up this Solstice Eve? Or will it cast a dark cloud over your holiday festivities? Time to taste some and find out!
The Label
From the producer: “This Spanish Garnacha is vibrant and expressive, with a deep ruby hue and aromas of cherries, raspberries, and wild strawberries. Subtle notes of black pepper and Mediterranean herbs add complexity. Silky and balanced on the palate, its juicy fruit flavors lead to a smooth, elegant finish.”
The Tasting
Dark ruby in color with a hazy purple tint. Youthful aromas of blackberry, vanilla, cherry, and cinnamon. Piles of cinnamon. Some eucalyptus, and a lumber-like wood fragrance, too.
In the mouth, it tastes of cranberry sauce and even more cinnamon. (“Like eating a Christmas candle,” my wife says.) The finish is persistent and soft, but not especially pleasant: Sour stewed plums and cloying fruitcake spice.
At 13.5% ABV, the alcohol is fairly manageable for a warm-climate Garnacha. There’s a trace of ethanol heat on the nose, but the more offensive vapors are that overpowering cinnamon-bark smell. (Sorry for the pun–but yes, this wine’s bark really is worse than its bite.)
It’s pretty hard to identify this as Garnacha, honestly. I can’t be 100% certain, but I’d guess that there’s some Syrah in the blend. I think there was probably some Syrah in Bottle #13 (the Pinot Noir from France), too. In either case, it contributes nothing but overripe black plum flavors that muddy the fresh red fruit you’d expect from the named varieties.
The Brillo Solar Garnacha was Bottle #21. I’m tired, y’all. There have been many not-so-great wines in this year’s calendar. My heart aches from the cycle of hope and disappointment that accompanies every cork pull.
Is this just a wonky year for the Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar? I remember last year’s calendar being much better overall. Of course, it so happens that 2025 was also the year that I started tasting and studying wine rather obsessively. Did you change, Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar, or did I?
Anyway, if you managed to enjoy the Brillo Solar–or any of this year’s half-bottles–good on you! Please drink up. It doesn’t matter what I or anyone else has to say about them.
For the rest of you…did you dislike this wine as much as I did? Are you intent on drinking it anyway? (No judgment.)
Then it may be time for a Sangria Salvage! This is when you take a subpar wine and try to fix it with fruit, ice, and soda.
So-so Garnacha actually makes a pretty great sangria. The low-ish tannins keep it drinkable at any temperature. The additional ingredients help tame Garnacha’s booze breath and also cover up any misguided oak flavors.
Because it’s December, may I suggest a winter analog to the Sangria Salvage?
Introducing the Mulled-Wine Mulligan! Heat your Brillo Solar on the stove, throw in some cloves and a splash of brandy, and float a couple of orange slices. Just don’t add any extra cinnamon to the pot (it’s packing enough already).
Bottle: Brillo Solar Garnacha (2023) – Spain
Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar Number: 21
Grade: C-
Finish the bottle? No–but it is better hot. (Sip it and pretend you’re at a Christmas market.)
I’m tasting all 24 wines in the 2025 Costco Wine Advent-ure calendar! See previous reviews here.
Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.
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