Spain Again!
@ Bin 604 Wine Sellers
The White Wines:
1. Cuevas de Castilla Palacio Menade Verdejo 2002, Rueda $10.99
“ The 2002 Palacio Menade is 100% Verdejo produced from the estate’s oldest vines. Showing restraint, with good depth as well as passion fruit characteristics in the bouquet and flavors... it is a noteworthy effort. 87 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #147
2. Pazo de Senorans AlbariZo 2002, Rias Baixas $22.99
“An outstanding effort in a challenging vintage, this 2002 AlbariZo’s knock-out aromatics are reminiscent of a top-class Condrieu from France’s Rhone Valley. Scents of white peaches, apricot jam, and minerals jump from the glass of this textured, medium-bodied, layered, personality-filled, beautifully fruited Spanish white.” 90 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #147
The Red Wines:
3. Finca SobreZo 2001, Toro $12.99
“This wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to elegant, sweet black cherry and currant fruit with subtle notes of oak and new saddle leather in the background. Nicely textured and medium-bodied, with loads of fruit, it should be consumed over the next 2-3 years”. 90 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #147
4. Termes 2000, Toro $18.99
Termes was produed from 30 year old, ungrafted vines (no phylloxera has every occurred in Toro due to the sandy soil) and is 100% Tinta de Toro. The wine is remarkably rich for its humble price.
5. Altos de Luzon 2001, Jumilla $20.99
“A tremendous value from the emerging viticultural region of Jumilla, this blend of 50% Monastrell, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Tempranillo is a dense plum/purple-colored effort offering up abundant aromas of earth, prunes, raisins, and black currants with tar and compost-like notes in the background. Spicy and rich, with a sweet palate, medium to full body, and loads of fruit, it should drink well for 5-6 years. 89+ points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #145
6. Tilenus Mencia 2000, Bierzo $23.99
Made from 100% Mencia, an indigenous grape varietal, this wine was aged 12 months in French oak. Its dense black/ruby color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of minerals, flowers, blackberries, and cherries. Elegant, remarkably well-delineated, and medium-bodied, it is measured and extremely stylish ... like a high strung fashion model.” 90 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #145
7. Emilio Moro 2000, Ribera del Duero $24.99
“The 2000 Emilio Moro exhibits an excellent ruby/purple color along with a sumptuous bouquet of licorice, underbrush, black currants, and jammy cherries, a medium to full-bodied, elegant, plush personality, and a moderately tannic finish.” 90+ points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #145
8.Finca SobreZo “Seleccion Especial” 1999, Toro $22.99
“A muscular, dense purple-colored effort,it reveals more new oak [than #3] as well as thicker, more voluminous flavors, and loads of glycerin, body, and power. This is a serious, highly extracted, rich, well-balanced Spanish red to drink over the next 7-8 years.” 92 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #147
9. Muga Reserva 1999, Rioja $14.99
Bodegas Muga is a producer of traditionally styled Rioja. The wine was bottled unfiltered and imported by “the man” in Spain, Jorge OrdoZez (who is also represented in the tasting by Termes, Altos de Luzon, Emilio Moro, Sierra Cantabria, and Allende). The wine is silky and quite elegant as well as a terrific buy.
10. Sierra Cantabria “Cuvee Especial” 1999, Rioja $19.99
“The Cuvee Especial reveals a medium ruby color along with a sweet bouquet of tobacco smoke, spice, red and black currants, cherries, and loamy soil scents. Medium-bodied, elegant and nicely textured, with no hard edges, it will drink well for 3-5 years.” 88 points. Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate #145
11. Allende Rioja 2000, $24.99
Allende is produced in a modern style (small barrels, French oak, some of it new) and makes an interesting contrast to Muga’s more traditional style.
12. Baron de Ley, Finca Monasterio 2000, Rioja $44.99
Another example of the modern style, this wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered after elevage in new French oak.
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