Wines of Spain

I was fortunate enough to travel to Spain last year. The trip was a really amazing voyage, as I covered much of the country in two weeks. The wines of Spain are incredibly diverse, ranging from the inky wines of the Priorat to the ligher style wines of Rioja. There are excellent white wines as well. Here are the wines that I tasted in Spain. I have also listed how you can find them (some area easier to track down than others).
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2007 Bodega Roda Reserva.- Less than impressive vintage. Nice, dark color. Nose has smoked meats and oak. Palate is medium concentrated. Surprised that its that open. Oak and red cherry on the palate w maybe nutmeg and vanilla. Finishes smooth. Very nice effort from a Wine Spectator 86 pt vintage. -90 points *EASY TO FIND, look in wine shops or online.

2009 Placet Rioja Blanco- Nice hue, Sav Blancish. The wine was bought at a wine shop in Barca and was highly recommended. Almonds and cantaloupe on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous. I get oak, some honey and almonds. Maybe a melon component as well, and a touch of butter. Finishes smooth. Very nice juice. -92 points. *Hard to find, might be available in specialty wine shops or online.

2007 Clos Mogador- this Priorat wine is esteemed and expensive. So when I saw it on the wine list at Bar del Pla (Barca) for 58 euros a bottle, basically at cost, I pounced on it. The wine is mostly Grenache and some Carignan. I was impressed by the blackberry fruit leather flavors. On the nose is smoke and Cassis with some oak. The palate is think and viscous w creme de Cassis, blackberry, cranberry and really nice minerality. Nice interplay between smooth and sour. Tastes like a great Bordeaux. The wine can sit for many years. Great concentration and a wonderful opportunity to drink one of Spain’s finest. -93 points *Relatively easy to find, most wine shops should have this wine.

2008 Zind-Humbrect Wintzenheim Gewurtztraminer- Deep, rich golden yellow color. Also dried mangos and peaches. The nose has so much going on. Slate and mushroom as well as pineapple from the botrytis. Fat on the palate but not a ton of acid which indicates short-term drinking. Pineapple, golden delicious apple and cinnamon with vanilla on the mouth. A touch of oak and botrytis in there. Long finish. Liquid candy and completely delicious. Given 93 Wine Spectator. -93 points *Not easy to find, possibly can order online or may find at a specialty wine shop.

1999 Marques de Grinon Enartis- From a less than esteemed vintage given only 81 Wine Spectator. This was recommended at Casa Montaña by the sommelier. Red and brownish color. Also some black licorice. Nice skunky nose. Good terroir. Came into its own after 30 mins. Getting red cherry, raspberry, smoked meats and plenty of oak on the palate. Balance and acid are there. Finished smooth. -92 points *Not easy to find. I have never seen this wine outside of Spain. Also websearch indicates that this is exceedingly difficult to find.

2007 Remelluti Rioja Blanco- Apparently given 94 Robert Parker according to the restaurant, it was recommended by the sommelier/restaurant owner. Cool to drink an aged Rioja. There is a nutty flavor and reminded me of green melon as well. Light hue, and has a translucent quality. The nose has fresh cut flowers and a grassy element with some mushroom. The palate has great acidity and I think this could sit for some time. Drinking like a Sav Blanc w grassy elements on the palate along with grapefruit. Maybe some lemon, too. Nice finish. Very solid- 90 points *Hard to find, check online or a specaility wine shop.

1998 Masia Carreras- Purchased at a wine store on close out and then brought to the Steakhouse. From Costa Brava near Girona. The blend is Grenache, Carianne and Tempernillo with Cab Sav and Syrah. Also dates, prune, smoke and black licorice. This is serious wine. There is just so much going on. There is incredible balance here with chocolate and smoke on the nose. The palate tastes like a great Bordeaux. It has kirsch, coffee, blueberry and cassis. Smooth and silky, this thing is ready to drink. This is one the best wines I’ve had in Spain. Not a long finish but acid is still there. Very memorable. -95 points *Nearly impossible to find, might check online, but limited info on this wine online.

2006 Argyle Spirithouse Pinot Noir- Given 93 Wine Spectator and 94 Robert Parker, this is serious wine. Obviously not a wine of Spain but one of the wines that I brought from home. Enjoyed at the apartment in Alicante. Might have some bottle shock as the wine needs time to open up. Mushroom, cherry and raspberry on the nose. Given 30 mins the wine opens up with cherry pie, nutmeg, vanilla, oak, strawberry and raspberry. Amazing smoothness as well as blackberry and nutmeg. It is smooth and silky to drink, similar to most of the premier wines from Argyle. Balance and depth are here. Finishes w red cherry and vanilla. -94 points *Hard to find, given this is an older wine. Check specialty wine shops or check online at the winery.

2006 Marc Palacios Les Terrasses- This Priorat wine is deep and dark. It is essentially a CDR with Grenache and Carignan. The palate has casis, sour cherry and raspberry with vanilla. Maybe licorice. Some tannins in there and good acid. Very nice, but not a spectacular wine. -91 points. *Moderately difficult to find, check online or a speciality wine shop.

NV Arcabucero Alicante Blanco- Bought for 3 Euros at an Alicante market. nose is coppery and some urine. Maybe some lemongrass too. Palate is diluted with some light acid, minerals and melon. Blasé but drinkable -81 points *Not easy to find and not recommended.

2012 Finca Ariadna Verdejo- From the Rusda region comes this wine bought for 5.95 Euros at the Alicante market. Light color, very Sav Blancish. Grassy nodes and grapefruit on the nose. The palate delivers with minerals, rose petals, slate, grapefruit with the effervescence. Smells like sparkling apple cider and tasted like pear and cantaloupe. Very pleasant wine. -88 points *Moderately difficult to find, check online.

2001 Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva Rioja- purchased for 15 euros at a grocery store in Valencia. Great year and given 90 Steven Tanzer and 92 Wine Enthusiast. I get cherry and vanilla on the nose w some oak. Palate is smooth with good balance and acid. Mostly red cherry, strawberry, as lighter fruits predominate with some oak. Would like better concentration for the vintage. Finishes smooth. -90 points. * Moderately difficult to find, check online.

2009 Numanthia Numanthia- given 94 Parker and 93 Tanzer, we had the incredible opportunity to try it at a restaurant in Madrid for about 50 euros, basically at cost (Arzábal). The wine needs 30 mins to unfold. Dark, brooding color. I get violets, creme de cassis and blackberry on the nose. Maybe some Christmas spice as well. Smells like a bakery and tastes like pumpkin pie, as well as holiday spice. The palate is extremely concentrated and rich. There is a striking minerality that comes through reminiscent of some great Napa wines like the Mondavi reserve Cab. Creme de cassis and blackberry mostly on the palate and there is a delicious pie crust taste as well. I get nutmeg in there. Tannic, this wine can age for 10 years. Neck and neck with Robert Mondavi reserve Cab here. Opulent wine. -96 points *Moderately difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

NV Gosset Champagne- Enjoyed on the airplane. Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Menueir grapes, this wine was dry and had a fruity character. Some mustiness as well. Effervescent and smooth. -91 points * *Moderately difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

NV Mumm Champagne- floral nose. It is both smooth and dry. Getting some citrus on the palate like orange and grapefruit. Some creamy elements as well. Very smooth throughout but not a ton of complexity. -90 points * Easy to find, check any wine shop or online.

2008 Matrromera Crianza- A Ribera that I bought at a gas station for -18 euros on the way from Madrid to Bilbao. The wine was purchased because I noticed our single serving friends drinking the same bottle at the restaurant last night in Madrid. So I deemed this a must buy. Slightly translucent color. From an adequate, Wine Spectator 87, vintage, I get plum, blackberry and spice on the nose. The palate has great acid. There are a ton of mouth-watering flavors thatamalgamate. Cranberry, red cherry, nutmeg, cedar and a minty edge to the wine. Nice balance and acid, this is a very fine wine. Maybe blueberries, spiceand anise too. Saw after tasting that Wine Enthusiast only gave it 87. I think they’re wrong. -90 points *Moderately difficult to find, check online.

2012 Marques de Riscal Reuda Blanco- 100% Verdejo, it has some citrus on the nose. Orange blossoms too. The palate is light but lacks concentration. A bit watery. Slightly sweet. Some grapefruit in there and maybe some peach. -84 points. * Easy to find, check any wine shop or online. Costco may carry this wine as well. Barely recommended but a decent value.

2007 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva- 90 percent Tempranillo and the rest indigenous varietals, this wine is from a less than esteemed vintage. Lighter, somewhat translucent color. Slightly skunky nose. Maybe mushroom and some terroir. This wine is fresher and less skunky than the 2006. Palate is lacking concentration and has red cherry, strawberry and has nice acid. Nice balance but lacking concentration of other vintages. -86 points * Easy to find, check any wine shop or online. Costco may carry this wine as well. Good value.

NV Marques de Riscal Rosato- nice nose, reminding me of floral nodes and perfume. Maybe some citrus too. Palate is sweet and lacking some acid. Very pleasant and it has a marked simplicity. Orange and red cherry. Finishes w marchiano cherry. -86 points * Easy to find, check any wine shop or online. Costco may carry this wine as well. Good value.

2004 Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva- from an amazing vintage, this wine has a deep color. Nose is oaky and pruny. The palate has graphite and black fruits. The concentration is outstanding with the heavy oak. Tastes almost like a Cab. Great acid and minerality. It could easily cellar for 5 years. Delicious wine. -93 points *Hard to find, check a speciality wine shop or check online.

2007 Finca Torrea (Marques de Riscal)- this is an additional label for Riscal. The color is deep, but slightly lighter than the Gran Reserva. Nose is smoky. Less oak on the nose and I’m getting lighter fruits. Palate is smooth anddelicious. Less concentration than the Gran Reserva. Balanced and acid is there. Prune, raspberry, vanilla and oak. Maybe pomegranate? The palate just blends so well together. Maybe also cinnamon, chocolate and strawberry. Drinking well now, will have a long life. -92 points *Very difficult to find, check online.

2005 Bodega LAN Gran Reserva- Deep hue, the wine was purchased at the winery. From the esteemed vintage, given 93 Wine Spectator. Nice Christmas spice and light fruit on the nose. After 30 mins the wine is more expressive. Some blackberry and leather with oak. She noticed the richness and acidity. Smoked meats and few better in there. Maybe some oak and tobacco elements with some citrus as well. Too young to drink now but very enjoyable. I’d drink in 2 years with the nice acidity and smoothness. -92 points *Difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

2009 Ontanon Crianza- 90 percent Termranillo and 10 percent Garancha. Fairly deep color for a Crianza. Black tea on the palate with smoked meats, strawberryand nice minerality. A little hollow but good wine. Tannic and probably needs time w the acid here. -88 points *Difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

2003 Vina Tondonia- 100 percent Vidura, Crianza wine. Heavy oak on the nose w some light flowers. Palate is dry and smooth. Very fresh and balanced. Strong minerality and copper components. Not a blockbuster but very nice. Some tang, maybe green apple, as it has a sour component. -92 points *Very difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

2001 Vina Tondonia Reserva- 75 percent Tempranillo and 15 percent Grenache. Lighter color and beautiful nose with flowers and dried fruits with some oak. There is a mustiness in the nose. I get cherry and mushroom as well. Palate has good acid and balance. Maybe raspberry and red cherry. The wine is less concentrated than expected. Getting raspberry, strawberry and red cherry. Drinks a lot like a Bordeaux, a fresh style. Would like more depth. -90 points. *Very difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

2008 Bodega Roda Reserva- 90 percent Tempranillo. Dark color. More smoke and earth than the Crianza. Darker fruits like plum with red cherry and raspberry. Maybe pomegranate and cranberry. Good acid. Drinking pretty well now by has the acid for many years of cellaring. -92 points. *Easy to find, check any wine shop or check online

2009 Bodega Roda Sela- 89 percent Tempranillo and 12 months in oak. Similar to a Crianza the wine has a lighter color. The nose is spicy and sweet. Maybe some cherry and raspberry. Very smooth and open. Strawberry and raspberry with guava on the palate. Small citrus component as well. Maybe blackberry and fruit leather. Very nice. -90 points *Very difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop.

2006 Roda I- Darker color than the other Roda wines. Getting tar, cedar and mushroom on the nose. Definitely an earthy nose. Closed right now. The ’04 was also very closed when tasted a month ago. Better viscosity than the others, a nice thickness, especially for the vintage. Reminds me of a right bank Bordeaux. Raspberry and blackberry with cherry. Nice acid, this can cellar for a decade. Better in 5 years. -93 points *Moderately difficult to find, check online or a specialty wine shop. Costco has previously carried the Roda I but I have not seen it in Northwest Costcos for more than one year.

Birthday Wines

I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday last year with some fantastic wines from Napa. The wines might be a bit hard to find, but they all represent some of the best that Napa has to offer, for a somewhat reasonable value (hard to find value in Napa). Try to get your hands on these wines, as they are great for a special occasion. Here are the professional ratings that they received:

Napa Valley Cab Heavyhitters

2006 Ramey Cabernet-

"Bright ruby. Cherry and red berry aromas are complicated by dried rose, tobacco and fresh herbs. Juicy and intense, with gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and slow-mounting tannins. Becomes more floral with air and finishes with impressive clarity and spicy persistence. Eighty percent of the vines that provided this fruit are planted on steep hillsides, Ramey told me." 91 Points, International Wine Cellar

"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bigger, deeper effort revealing austere tannins in the finish, but also plenty of chocolaty, black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, roasted herbs, and underbrush. " 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

2007 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet-

"Quite a distinguished Cabernet. Shows its pedigree in ultra-refined tannins and an overall mouthfeel of lushness and finesse. Flavor-wise, it’s all black currants, blueberries and sweet, smoky oak. Thirty-five dollars isn’t cheap, but this is as good as it gets in this price bracket."- 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast

2008 Chiarello Bambino Cabernet-

"Sleek and bursting with fresh cherry and raspberry fruit, this is built around a complex frame that deftly balances tannins and acidity. Offers notes of smoky pepper, sage and fresh anise. Drink now through 2015.” – 93 points, Wine Spectator

Washington Wines For Spring

Spring is nearly here. The sun is out and days are getting longer. Here in Washington State, everyone’s mood has been elevated by the promise that summer will soon arrive and backyard BBQs will follow. For the past decade, Washington State has been known for great values in wine. Mainstay wineries like Columbia Crest and Chateau St. Michelle continue to produce fantastic wines for a reasonable price.

Despite a cool summer, 2011 reds have shown to be better than many experts had anticipated. And keep your eyes on 2012 reds. Many wine buffs are saying that 2012 will go down as one of the best vintages in history for Washington wines. Here are some readily available wines for under $30 [and many under $15] that represent excellent values and hail from some of the best wineries in Washington.

Syrah

For more than a decade, Washington has been producing world-class Syrah. There are some blockbuster, 50 plus dollar Syrahs being made in Washington State. But for most of us, we want a great wine that brings out the smoked meats, dark fruits and light tannins that we expect from this varietal – without breaking the bank. Here are some great value options.

2011 Chateau St. Michelle Syrah- This is an extremely solid effort in a difficult vintage. Smoked meats and red cherry on the nose with some oak. Medium to full bodied, with good viscosity, flavors of red cherry, pomegranate and smoked meats persist. Light acidity suggests this one is a crack and pour. The wine is blended with some Viognier, Mourvedre and Grenache for some complexity. A perfect match for ribs. 25,000 cases produced, so pick up a few for your BBQ.– 88 points

2010 Gordon Estates Syrah- Hard to find a more complex Syrah for around 20 bucks. This is a crack and pour. Brooding, dark color, with black pepper and oak on the nose, leading to beef jerky, blackberry and plum flavors. Blended with 7% Cab which contributes to the rich fruit flavors and adds structure. Excellent value, pick up a few while you can. - 92 points

2011 Columbia Crest H3 Les Cheveaux- Columbia Crest uses fruit in this blend that is slightly below their Reserve tier. For many wineries, this wine would be their reserve blend. 75% Syrah and 25% Merlot. Cloves, cigar box and dark fruits on the nose. Good depth on the open palate with red cherry, blackberry, vanilla and black olive along fine grained tannins. Well-structured, this could cellar well for a couple of years, but why wait? -90 points

Merlot

Miles from the movie “Sideways” was dead wrong; Merlot is well worth a look. Washington Merlot is a food-friendly wine that is typically soft and smooth, with red and black fruit flavors of cherry, plums and blackberries – as well as occasional mint, chocolate and eucalyptus flavors and aromas. The price is right on these recommended wines.

2012 Hogue Merlot- One of Washington’s oldest wineries is known for great value wines. This has cherry and strawberry on the nose with some Christmas spice. Flavors of cherry, guava and strawberry on the palate - almost reminiscent of a pinot. Light bodied, with great acidity. Simplistic, but a tremendous value and readily available, with 30,000 cases produced. – 86 points

2011 Charles Smith The Velvet Devil Merlot- Charles Smith is one of the big players and is best known for his inky, heavy Syrahs. But his value Merlot offers nice richness in the color, having red bell pepper, herbaceousness and oak on the nose. The palate is smooth with pomegranate, red cherry and vanilla. 8% Malbec, 6% Cab and 3% Syrah in there to provide the backbone and complexity in what was generally a difficult and cold vintage for Washington. – 87 points

Cabernet Sauvignon/Blends

Cab is king right now and is definitely one of the bigger players in Washington. Known for dark fruits such as blackberry and black cherry, Washington Cabernet is typically done in an open style that invites us to sip more. Coffee, mocha and even black tea flavors and aromas can be seen Washington Cabs. There are some great Cabernet blends that represent some of the best value in the industry. Here are some of the best value Cabs and Cab blends that proudly represent Washington.

2012 Dunham Three Legged Red- Dunham uses their less esteemed fruit in this blend, but the Three Legged Red has been a consistent value for years. Dark garnet, the nose has blackberry, anise and black cherry with nutmeg. Tons of fruit including cherry pie, raspberry, strawberry and spice cake. A crowd pleaser in this Cab, Syrah and Merlot blend. -89 points

2010 Airfield Estates Cabernet- A great Northwest winery that produces everything from Coinoise to Cab. The winery is known for small production and attention to detail for a fraction of Napa labels. Dark color with blackberry, cassis, dark cherry with oak. Similarly attractive palate with dark cherry, blackberry, tomato and olive collected with some medium tannins. Drinking great now. -90 points

2011 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet- The grand estates Cab been a great value wine for years. You’d be hard pressed to find a better Cabernet in this price range. Plum and cherry with oak and buttered toast on the nose. Palate is well-balanced and has fig, vanilla and cherry preserves. Excellent effort. -87 points

2011 Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet- Complex nose with nutmeg, coffee, chocolate and stewed plum with the oak. Cassis, blackberry and anise with coffee on the palate. Great acidity suggests you could wait a few years before opening this one, but drinking nicely now. 10% Syrah was added in this cool vintage.- 90 points

2011 Fidelitas Cabernet [Columbia Valley]- 100% Cab, sourced from a variety of Columbia Valley vineyards, the nose needs some time to develop, leading to fresh cut flowers, blackberry and anise with cinnamon. Vibrant acidity and minerality in a Bordelaise style. Black cherry and anise flavors sing after an hour of decanting. Very solid. -90 points

2010 Sagelands Cabernet- Here is a value wine that performs every year. Made from a blend of 80% Cab, 15% Merlot and the rest Syrah and Malbec, there is a softness evident from the Merlot. Oak and vanilla with some rose petals on the nose. This fruit-forward Cab has cherry, strawberry and sage. A steal for under 10 bucks. -87 points

2010 Seven Hills Cabernet [Columbia Valley]- From one of Walla Walla’s oldest wineries, this wine is a fascinating blend. 80% Cab with 9% Cab Franc and 5% Carmenere, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Really needs about an hour to fully develop. Wonderfully dark, the nose has cassis and blackberry with some oak. Blackberry and cranberry add to this tangy and layered wine with chocolate and black olive, finishing with a light tannic backbone. Drink now or cellar for a couple of years -91 points