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Tag Archives: spain

Osborne Manzanilla Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

24 Thursday Oct 2024

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$16, 4 stars, 88 points, andalucia, jerez, spain


Pale gold in color with high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose of this fortified wine has medium (+) intensity aromas of green almond, sea spray, bread dough, cottage cheese, unripe Meyer lemon zest, and green apple.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  The layers of flavor start with that cheesy, dough note and transition to nuts and citrus with the ever present saline twist.  It’s very unique and tasty, finishing medium in length.  I paid $16 for it but there are lower prices.  It’s worthy of 88 points and will get 4 stars from me.  A delicious aperitif to serve with tapas or nuts/charcuterie.  Drink on release.  Salut….

Osborne Manzanilla Sherry

 

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Marques de Monistrol Cava Reserva Selección Especial NV, Spain

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

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$7, 3 stars, 85 points, cava, macabeo, Parellada, spain, Xarel-lo


Pale gold colored with large bubbles and a watery sheen (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of yellow apple, tangerine zest, pineapple, white blossom, a touch of brioche and lemon peel.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The mousse has disappeared from the glass but there is an effervescence on the palate- I am dubious about the provenance here.  The flavors are not as prominent as the nose but I do get the yellow apple, citrus and white blossom, no sign of the brioche that I was hoping for.  The finish is pleasant and medium (+) in length making it a refreshing and enjoyable wine.  I would like to revisit another bottle I was given as this one may have seen better days and without disgorgement dates I have no idea how old it is.  Under $8, it gets 85 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink on purchase.  Salut….

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Bodegas Escudero Vidau 2004, Rioja DOCa, Spain

26 Thursday Sep 2024

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$25, 5 stars, 93 points, rioja, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored with chocolate highlights and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of tobacco, black cherry, blackberry compote, coconut, vanilla, bramble berry, dusty earth, menthol, a medicinal note, orange peel and coffee.  The palate is dry with a full body and medium (+) tannins that are fine-grained and integrating nicely.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry cobbler, tobacco, dust, vanilla, menthol and coffee.  It’s quite layered and delicious, ripe and smooth.  The finish is medium (+) in length and silky, everything is in balance.  This is a 93 point wine imho that I paid $25 making it a 5 star effort that is still youthful after 20 years and will provide pleasure for many more years to come.  Salut….

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Bodegas Neo ‘Sentido’ 2020, Ribera del Duero, Spain

26 Monday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored, almost inky- with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, bramble, dusty earth, elderberry, coconut, charred oak and pine needles.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are slightly chalky.  Flavors of ripe black berries with that telltale dust combine with American oak nuance of coconut and dill.  The oaky charred note is there but diminished.  The finish is medium (+) in length but turns a bit hot at the end.  I like this Crianza level wine- it’s charming, structured and tasty.  92 points.  I am pairing this Tempranillo with some half-smoke sausages and fried potatoes.  For under $20, this one gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Black Slate Gratallops 2021, Priorat DOCa, Spain

14 Wednesday Aug 2024

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$18, 5 stars, 92 points, carignan, grenache, Priorat, spain


Deep ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, black licorice, grape bubble gum (!), coffee, vanilla, baking spice, blueberry compote and mint.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins. The fruit quality is very good and I get layers of dark red fruit intertwined with oak nuance.  Thankfully the bubble gum is nowhere to be found, an interesting note on the nose tho.  The texture of the tannins is sublime- slightly grippy yet silky making for a delightful mouthfeel that lasts medium length.  A well-balanced blend of Garnacha and Carignena that gets 92 points from me.  I paid $18 for this beaut and give it 5 stars.  My pairing is rack of Lamb.  Drink till 2030, Salut….

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Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’ 2021, Getariako Txakolina, Spain

13 Tuesday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, getariako txakolina, gros manseng, hondarabi zuri, spain


Pale to medium lemon colored with high viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lanolin, lemon curd, grapefruit zest and pith, orange blossom, salted caramel, peach, melon and cantaloupe.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  I don’t see any spritz in the glass but the wine tingles my tongue ever so slightly which is a feature of this region/varietal.  Citrus dominates with sea spray, blossom, peach and melon supporting.  It has a zingy finish that lasts medium in length for the flavor but long with the acidity.  It’s a very refreshing wine to pair with seafood, especially on a hot day.  I’m baking Mahi Mahi filets and this is going to work a treat.  Overall, this $20 gets high marks with me at 91 points and 5 stars.  I would drink till 2026.  85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Gros Manseng.  Salut….

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J. Navascues ‘Cutio’ Garnacha – Carinena 2019, Carinena, Spain

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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$13, 5 stars, 90 points, carignan, carinena, grenache, spain


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Garnacha (Grenache)/Cariñena (Carignan) blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, black raspberry, mulled blackberry, licorice, coffee, dried green herbs and charred oak.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that are chalky.  Confirming dark berry and plum flavors with a dose of oak and some licorice.  It has a medium (-) finish with quite a bit of heat on the back end.  It’s quite tasty but the slight imbalance of high alcohol detracts a bit.  I am grilling beef and lamb kabobs to pair, should go nicely.  90 points and for $13 it won’t break the bank.  5 stars.  Salut….

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Ochavado Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Castilla, Spain

14 Sunday Jul 2024

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$18, 4 stars, 89 points, Castilla, Sauvignon blanc, spain


Pale gold colored with low viscosity (12.2% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of white blossom, peach, nectarine, papaya and honeysuckle.  The palate is dry with a light body and is packed with tropical fruit flavors.  Mango, papaya, soursop with nectarine and peach present.  The white blossom was predominant on the nose but sorta wafted away.  It’s a very interesting wine that may be at or past peak (7 years old) but it is intriguing to say the least.  I am giving it 89 points and I paid $10 as a bin-end which makes it a 4 star wine to drink now.  I’m grilling Yuzu marinated chicken thighs to pair.  Salut….

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Bodegas Balbas ‘Pagos de Balbas’ 2021, Ribera del Duero, Spain

08 Monday Jul 2024

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$23, 4 stars, 89 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored with light staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of charred oak, black cherry, blackberry, coconut and dill plus a generous wafting of alcohol that is noticeable.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that dissipate rapidly.  Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, coconut, dill, mint, coffee and some char lead to a medium (-) length finish.  This is a young wine but is drinking nicely now and will develop over time.  It gets 89 points from me as I feel the alcohol throws it out of balance.  This Tempranillo runs $23 and gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Vinedos y Bodegas Gormaz ‘Catania’ Reserva 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

06 Saturday Jul 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby with some copper and orange highlights and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, vanilla, baking spice, coconut shavings, mint, tobacco, loam and leather.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a still quite grippy after 7 years.  Ripe black fruit with healthy yet well done oak treatment which gives me vanilla, coconut, baking spice and coffee.  Dried herbs with loam, mint, leather and tobacco round out the flavor profile.  The finish is long yet a touch astringent and tangy from the acidity.  It’s still youthful in structure even thought the aromas and flavors are developing nicely- it’s a bit disjointed.  I would love to revisit in a year or two, I think it has lots of potential and will score it accordingly at 91 points.  For under $20 it’s worth stocking the cellar with this Spanish Tempranillo that gets 5 stars.  Drink from 2025 till 2030.  Salut….

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