ABADIA RETUERTA 2006 SELECCION ESPECIAL Dark in color, with aromas of red fruit and spice, followed by racy but focused fruit on the palate. An excellent wine for aging, but drinking great now.
CASTELL DEL REMEI 2006 GOTIM BRU
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS
Castell del Remei is a traditional cellar in Costers del Segre (Catalonia) that has crafted a Tempranillo-based red blend that seems to have it all. With Cabernet, Merlot and Garnacha rounding out the blend in this stellar vintage, the Gotim Bru is both well-balanced and smooth for such a formidable wine. With layers of powerful dark fruit backed by solid structure, try this with you favorite beef or BBQ dish.
ADEGA ALGUEIRA 2006 MENCIA; DO RIBEIRA SACRA
Robert Parker 90 Points
From an obscure D.O. located in Galicia, the 2005 Algueira is 100% estate grown Mencia aged for 11 months in French oak. Medium to dark ruby-colored, it offers Pinot Noir-like aromatics with plenty of spicy red fruits and a touch of oak. This leads to an elegant wine with incipient complexity, a silky texture, sweet red berry flavors, and good length. The wine should evolve with 1-2 years of additional bottle age but can be enjoyed now and over the next 6 years.
PALACIO DE FEFINANES 2009 ALBARINO
Founded in 1904, Palacio Fefinanes was the first producer to bottle wine under the D.O. Rias Baixas
denomination. This is classic Albariño and the benchmark wine of the region. The classic label on this wine has not
been changed since 1924! Aromas of apricot and peaches accented with lemon and green apple leap from the glass.
This wine hits all the high notes with honey, nutmeg, baked apples and a mineral finish. This classic Albariño is great
young but according to owner Juan Gil it is at its best a year or more after it is made....so like right now! This is the best
Albariño we have tasted to date so don’t pass this one up.
ALONSO DEL YERRO 2006 D.O. Ribera del Duero THE WINE ADVOCATE 92+ POINTS - "The 2006 Alonso del Yerro went through malolactic fermentation in new French oak and was aged sur lie for 12 months with batonnage. Purple-colored, it has an enticing bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, violets, spice notes, and black cherry jam. Suave, sweet, and layered on the palate, it has loads of savory fruit, excellent concentration, and several years of aging potential. It will be at its best from 2013 to 2026."
BODEGAS ALTO MONCAYO 2007 MONCAYO D.O. Campo de Borja
Bodegas Alto Moncayo is located in Campo de Borja, Spain, well known for the varietals Grenache and Tempranillo.
Chris Ringland is the lead winemaker and is known for creating some of the most highly sought after wines in the
world. The vineyards sit atop some of the most unique soils of iron rich red clay and red slate mixed. A unique spot with
125-year-old, ungrafted vines that deliver an extremely low production.
The flagship wine, but production is still quite small at about 1,000cs. Parker's notes in past vintages say a lot for the style: 2004, "Spectacular," "riveting intensity and palate staining extract;" 2005, "richer, more layered, and intense;" 2006 "a sexy concoction of toasty new oak, lavender, spice box, cassis, and black raspberry," "voluptuous." This wine has not yet been rated but the past three vintages received all 94+, 95 and 94 points from the Wine Advocate and this vintage is every bit as extracted and decadent.
ALTO MONCAYO 2007 AQUILON
Tiny production at only about 300 cases a year. If you been reading these notes, you will see these are modern, expressive, flashy wines. The “Aquillon” takes it all to the next level. We tasted this about a month ago and everyone in the room simply said “wow.”
This wine has not yet been rated but the past three vintages received all 96, 97 and 96 points from the Wine Advocate and this vintage is every bit as extracted and decadent.
ALVARO PALACIOS 2007 CAMINS DEL PRIORAT
If anyone embodies the promise and spirit of “The New Spain,” it is 43-year-old Alvaro Palacios. His L’Ermita is widely considered—along with Peter Sisseck’s Dominio de Pingus— to be the most important Spanish wine in a generation.
This is a delicious blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Granacha, 10% Cabernet and 10% Syrah. The wine is beautifully aromatic of rich fruit, florals and a touch of minerals. The palate is a pure expressions of bright raspberries and black cherries. Following is an array of clove, cinnamon and cardamon and a silky textural mouthfeel. An fantastic Priorat at an amazing price.
AMEZTOI 2009 ROSE TXAKOLINA
The Ameztoi family has been making wine for seven generations. Located just five or ten minutes down the coast from San Sebastian, their vineyards overlook the Atlantic ocean. This rosé is a 50/50 blend of Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza. The result is a pale pink wine with fresh redcurrant, strawberry and lime aromas and flavors followed by citrus notes and gentle minerality on the finish. This rosé is very easy to drink by itself or with appetizers, seafood or fish dishes. Try this with grilled or poached salmon.
AVANTHIA 2008 GODELLO
ROBERT PARKER 90 POINTS
The partnership at Avanthia includes the Valdeorras
winery Godeval as well as Jorge Ordonez and the Gil
Family. Housed in a 13th century monastery, Godeval
single handedly worked to bring the Godello grape back
from the brink, making the first modern Godello based
wine in 1985. Avanthia is a special 400cs production that
brings together the talents of Godeval with Jorge Ordonez,
the Gil Family, and winemaker Alister Gardner. On first
take the Avanthia is some-what like a White Burgundy with
its cream-chiffon lemon fruit and gentle mix of cinnamon,
nutmeg, and gentle oakiness. There is something riper
underneath and wine turns gradually towards peach and
papaya flavors. As with Alister Gardner’s winemaking
on the La Cana, there is a mix of ripeness and crisper
flavor profiles—an intriguing winemaking tightrope of
sorts. The Avanthia is not inexpensive, but it is pretty
serious wine.
"The 2008 Avanthia Godello is the first release of this wine sourced from 35-year-old vines. Medium straw-colored, it offers up an attractive nose of mineral, baking spices, pear, and peach. Concentrated, spicy, and dry with exceptional fruit character, this nicely balanced wine will provide pleasure over the next 3 years" Robert Parker.
BODEGAS BARBADILLO 2009 PALOMINO BLANCO "FAMILY SELECT"
Barbadillo is a family-owned business in the Upper Jerez region in Spain and the largest producer of Manzanilla in the whole of the Jerez region. They own 500 hectares of vineyards, have a rich tradition dating back centuries and, judging by the outstanding quality of this little Palomino, have an even brighter future. Palomino Fino is a grape used mostly in the production
of Sherry. But, it can make an enjoyable un-fortified wine with the right touch. What touch is that, you may ask? Aye, there's the rub. The grape is generally low in both acidity and sugar, which doesn't affect its use in Sherry but can make it tricky for making standard wine from it. The Barbadillo version, however, stands out. The nose starts with a light minerality and straw notes and a beautiful, refined cellared stone fruit essence. The palate begins crisp with a rush of brisk acidity balanced with upfront fruit and a light sweetness in the background. Flavors of Asian pear blend with a mélange of stone/orchard fruits. The mouthfeel is rounded but not fat. All in all, a very tasty, versatile white at a great price that will work wonders solo or pair with clean, simple dishes (cheeses, white meats, pork, fish, etc.).
BARON DE LEY 2005 FINCA MONASTERIOD.O. Rioja
The 2005 Finca Monasterio is Baron de Ley’s bow to the modern school of winemaking. The wine was aged for 15 months in new French oak. Purple-colored, it reveals a nose of pain grille, mineral, black currant, and blackberry. Supple, ripe, and structured, on the palate it exhibits a Bordeaux-like combination of elegance and power. This lengthy wine will evolve for 3-5 years and be at its best between 2012 and 2025.
Baron de Ley is a solid source of traditionally styled Rioja
BARON DE LEY 2004 RESERVAD.O. Rioja
ROBERT PARKER 90 POINTS
The crimson-colored 2004 Reserva is 100% Tempranillo aged in American oak. It gives up aromas of cedar, spice box, mineral, tobacco, and blackberry leading to a sweetly-fruited, elegant, already complex, velvety-textured wine that will provide pleasure for another 10 years. It is an excellent value in traditional Rioja from a great vintage
BENITO SANTOS 2007 PAGO DE XOAN ALBARINO
Think you're ready for this? This is not California Chardonnay. Think sea spray, brine, lemon, lime, peach pit, all unfolding in layers. Best enjoyed with calamari, shellfish, or fish tacos. This is a "natural wine" which essentially means, winemaking using minimal intervention. This wine comes from Jose Pastor Selections. ...an extremely interesting and exhilarating wine!
Benito Santos was one of the original growers in Rias Baixas when the D.O. was created. The company that now bears his name farms Albariño in three distinct vineyards in Salnés. Each of the vineyards is owned by the church and each is dominated by an 8th century chapel. Benito Santos leases the vines in perpetuity. All of the vines are certified organic by CREAGA, the first vineyards certified in Galicia. Saiar is 5.65 hectares, Bemil and Xaon are each .5 hectare. The vineyards have distinctly different characteristics and are bottled separately, which is extremely rare in Rias Baixas. Todd is an ex-San Franciscan, now ten years in Rias Baixas, who is creating very positive change in the way Albariño is grown and vinified.
VINOS DE BENJAMIN ROMEO 2006 PREDICADOR
The 2006 Predicador was aged for 19 months in seasoned oak. Dark ruby-colored, the nose has a slightly roasted character with aromas of cedar, mineral, scorched earth, violets, and blackberry. Round, ripe, and smooth- textured, it has enough underlying structure to evolve for 2-3 years. Nicely balanced and lengthy, it will drink well from 2012 to 2021
BODEGAS ALTO ALMANZORA ESTE 2007
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "There are 10,000 cases of Alto Almanzora’s 2007 Este, a blend of 45% Monastrell, 25% Tempranillo, and the balance Syrah, Garnacha, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is sourced from the little-known DO of Almeria located in eastern Andalucia in the south-east of Spain. The wine was aged for six months in French and American oak. Deep purple in color (remarkably dense for its humble price), it offers up a kinky, full-blown nose of smoke, spice box, and wild blueberry. Ripe, succulent, and layered, this bargain-priced, hedonistic effort totally over-delivers. Buy it by the palette load and drink it over the next three years."
BODEGAS ATALAYA 2007 ATALAYA WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "This purple-colored wine has an expressive
bouquet of violets, spice box, leather, game, blueberry and black cherry. On the palate it
comes off as borderline kinky and definitely sexy with lots of easy-going flavor, superb depth,
complexity and a 45-second finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, it will evolve for another
2-3 years."
While the “kinky” and “sexy” descriptors make us snicker a little, there is definitely
something hedonistic and flashy about this wine. Could it be the Garnacha Tintorera in the
blend? Native to the hills of Almansa adjacent to Jumilla, Garnacha Tintorera is one of the
rare grapes whose juice runs red rather than simply picking up its color from contact with
the skins and is well known for powerful color and deep flavors.
BODEGAS GODEVAL 2008 VINA GODEVAL
Pear, pine and anise flavors are focused and clean in this firm white. Mineral-tinged acidity provides real backbone, with citrus and floral notes lingering on the finish.
BODEGAS LAN 2004 RESERVA
Wine Spectator 90 Points - Wine Spectator Top 100 2008 #52
A silky texture carries expressive flavors of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused, balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. Drink now through 2012. 50,000 cases made. –TM
BORSAO 2006 CRIANZA SELLECION
The 2006 Crianza Seleccion is purple-colored with a fragrant nose of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black currant. Smooth-textured, savory, and ripe, it has excellent depth, concentration, and length. It will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2010 to 2016.
BORSAO 2008 TRES PICOS
ROBERT PARKER 91 POINTS (April 27, 2010)
It’s BACK! Without a doubt, Campo De Borja has become well known for the grape varietal Garnacha (Grenache). This region is known as “The Garnacha Land of Spain” and the Tres Picos, produced by Bodegas Borsao, has risen to the top of these world renowned wines from this area. Coming from the famous Moncayo Mountain slopes, these old-vine vineyards are the reason behind this wine’s four past vintage ratings of 91 points from Wine Advocate. And all for this amazing value! If you’ve never stumbled across this one before, you are in for quite a treat.
INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLARS 91 POINTS - "Opaque purple. Exotically perfumed bouquet of dark berry preserves, smoky minerals, potpourri and Indian spices, with a strong note of cracked pepper; smells like a high-end northern Rhone wine. Very spicy and tightly focused, offering juicy red and dark berry flavors and sexy notes of candied flowers and cocoa powder. Finishes with a wallop of sweet red berries and lingering, seductive spiciness; as ridiculous a value as one can find these days. The yield for this wine was reportedly under two tons per acre."
"The flagship of this portfolio is the perennially outstanding Tres Picos. The 2008 Tres Picos is 100% Garnacha old vines in which 50% was aged in tank and 50% in French oak for 10 months. It gives up a compelling nose of black cherry fruit that jumps from the glass along with earth and mineral notes. Plush on the palate bordering on voluptuous, this pleasure-bent, full-flavored effort will drink well for another 3-4 years although few will be able to resist its charms for that long." Robert Parker
BORSAO 2009 VINA BORGIA D.O. Campo De Borja
Bodegas Borsao is famous for its accomplishments with the Garnacha (Grenache) grape varietal, including
the highly sought after and limited Tres Picos. The region of Campo de Borja is known as “The Garnacha Land of
Spain” and, with over 3600 acres of vineyards, Borsao has been a huge influence in building this level of quality
and recognition. Viña Borgia is affordable and a great crowd pleaser! A medium-bodied juicy wine with flavors of
black cherry and dark berries and a lengthy finish, it will quench your need for a great tasting red wine for everyday
drinking.
JORGE ORDONEZ & CO. VICTORIA 2005 BODEGAS BOTANI S.L. MALAGA
100% Moscatel - Malaga is a well known area for the Moscatel grape and their contribution to the “sweeter side” of
quality Spanish wines. Made by the late-world renowned Dessert winemaker, Alois Kracher, this example of top vineyard
Moscatel is undeniable. Don’t brush this off as being a sweet concoction just for the sweet wine lovers. This wine displays
huge flavors of exotic fruits and has a finesse and concentration that your palate cannot deny. The balanced acidity on this
wine cuts any residual sugar left on the tongue and makes it an experience that will fill your mouth with pleasurable notes
of fruit and spice. This wine is a perfect complement to a cheese plate served as the dessert course. A truly enjoyable
experience!
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "There is one dry wine in the portfolio, the 2007 Botani, made from 100% Moscatel. The wine was fermented in 70% stainless steel and 30% French oak. Light straw with a green tint, it has a fragrant nose of spring flowers, honey, melon, and tropical fruits. Dry, crisp, and well-balanced, notes of citrus emerge on the mid-palate. This lengthy wine is meant to be enjoyed over the next 1-2 years."
JORGE ORDONEZ BOTANI MOSCATEL SECO 2009
"Botani" is light, but fills the mouth with flavor. Since “Botani” is made with Muscat of Alexandria it suggests sweetness on the nose and mid-palate but finishes clean and on the dry side of off-dry. This is also a stunning wine to pair with any number of seafood dishes, from sea-bass with mango relish to ahi tuna or simply-prepared shrimp. The amazing part is these grapes were grown on slopes up to 60%, nearly vertical. The neighbors make only dessert wines, in part because sweet wines demand more money, so this crystalline and pure dry Muscat is the only wine of its kind in the region.
WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - The 2009 Botani was sourced from organically farmed 70-year-old Moscatel de Alejandria vines producing tiny yields. Thirty percent of the wine was barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, the rest in stainless steel. Medium straw-colored with a green tint, it displays a nose of mineral, spring flowers, acacia, and a hint of tropical aromas. The 2009 vintage has produced a wine with extra density and concentration. Although the aromatics suggest sweetness, the wine is dry but very fruity, refreshing, and exceptionally long. It is an outstanding value that over-delivers in a big way.
