Spain is the feature country of this week's release and there are a few great Spanish numbers on offer in our collective price range. There are also some other gems from other countries. Wine is made primarily in the Northern and Central areas of Spain. These regions provide ideal grape growing conditions and long history of wine-making tradition married with an openness to adopt new and improved methods.
SPARKLING WINE
277629 Segura Viudas Lavit Brut Nature Cava 2003 (Spain) $14.95 Rose and I are not huge fans of fizz, but due to demand, we have started to taste them (just this week!). Now we eat lunch before we hit the tasting room and cleanse our palates with a bit of sparkle before settling into the full realm of the release. We were pleased by this Cava (Spanish term for Sparkling wine from Spain). It is quite dry with toast, pear and apple notes. A terrific value - kick off the party with this one!
WHITE WINE
665166 Menage a Trois White Blend 2005 (California) $18.95 This isn't in the catalog, but it was out to taste and we've seen it in the stores. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Moscato and Chenin Blanc. It features a floral nose, a pleasant, juicy palate - all with a medium body. An excellent sipper!
177444 Miguel Torres Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Chile) $12.95 This presents a "watered-down" version of a good New Zealand Sauv. Blanc - at half the price! There is the usual citrus and herbaceous notes, but these are followed by an unusual "bitter" finish. Good for the $$.
RED WINE
993220 Emina Vino Rojo 2003 (Ribero del Duero, Spain) $18.95 The name of this wine initially took me aback - Eminem?!?, E_ema?!? as some joker manually altered the label in the tasting room. Emina presents eminence in a bottle - a great dark berry finish, with tobacco, smoke and dark chocolate notes on the mid-palate. The nose kicks you off with great whiffs of plum, vanilla and spice.
743039 Raimat Tempranillo 2003 (Spain) $17.95 The smooth tannins underlie this full-bodied wine that features the taste of baked plums and vanilla.
31526 Dominio de la Peseta Seleccion Roble 2004 (Spain) $14.95 Monastrell/ Tempranillo/ Merlot combine, producing a pleasant fruit forward (mostly cherries) with a cedar after taste.
40360 Finca Sobreno Crianza 2003 (Spain) $19.95 This is a shtanky little number - the barnyardy sort of wine that we so adore. Spice, pepper and black fruit predominate and then along comes shtank - YUM!
41467 Ramirana Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Chile) $14.95 This wine is fruity and towards the sweet side BUT it isn't so much so that it is cloying and annoying. It is fairly well-balanced with good structure. Don't pick p the "cousin" that is also being released today - The Syrah for $18.95. The Cab presents a much better value.
34231 Juniper Crossing Shiraz 2003 (Western Australia) $18.95 An overwhelming oak nose segues to black fruit and the signature Shiraz pepper.
974501 Colognole Chianti Ruffina 2003 (Tuscany) $16.95 An EXTREMELY well-priced Chianti will be even more enjoyable after 3-4 years of cellaring. Just do it - you won't be sorry! > $20 (But well worth it!)
728139 Clos du Calvaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003 (Rhone) $34.95 We reluctantly put this one on the list as it is soooo gooood! Sultry cherry and blackcurrant flavours mingle with smoke, herbs and smoked meat, giving way to a rich and smooth mouth-feel. Bob Parker gave it a "90", so it won't last long!
43950 Maison Champy Pernand-Verglesses Clos de Bully 2005 (Burgundy) $24.95 Bully for you, bully for me - this Bully rocks! Tastes like a much more expensive pinot from Burgundy.
35600 Chateau Caboron 2003 (Bordeaux) $22.95 Rich, bountiful, bodacious Bordeaux. This is one of the "fullest" Bordeaux we have ever tasted. It blew us away at first sip.
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