Spanish Wine: Great Values for Ready Drinking

SPANISH WINE CELLAR TRADE SHOW 2012 – Bently Reserve Bldg, San Francisco, California (4/19/2012)

A few tastings of current Spanish releases in recent weeks, including the Spanish Wine Cellar trade show last month, have driven home for me two facts: Spanish wines are not only great bargains, they are also ideally suited to the American palate.

Spain is the world’s third largest wine producer, after France and Italy. In 2010, Spain produced 13.6% of the world’s wine. By comparison, the U.S., the world’s fourth largest producer, was responsible for 10.6% of world production.

Wine production in Spain is somewhat unique in several respects. The wineries there tend to be bigger than wineries elsewhere, owning much more vineyard acreage than the average producer in other countries. Yields are also lower in Spain than elsewhere. This is due both to the advanced age of many vineyards, as well as to the relatively arid conditions in many wine regions, which led them to be more sparsely planted, at least until vineyard irrigation was legalized in 1996.

vineyards in Rioja

Spanish producers also traditionally age their red wines much longer, to ensure they are ready to drink when purchased. Finally, the proportion of American oak barrels used for aging tends to be much higher than elsewhere, where more expensive French oak has become the norm. Increasing amounts of French oak are, however, also being used in Spain.

One can buy sparkling wines, refreshing dry whites, mature reds that are ready to drink, and sweet wines from Spain for a fraction of the cost of similar wines from most other countries—we’re talking wines ranging from $7 to $17. And due to the extensive aging, American consumers who typically want a red wine they can enjoy with dinner right after they bring it home can count on that kind of maturity with a Spanish wine, especially at the Reserva and Gran Reserva levels, as explained below.

Yes, there are more expensive wines from Spain too. Most of those tend to be modern, international style wines that have received high ratings from Robert Parker, or his Spanish critic for awhile, Jay Miller. Those wines are generally flashy, highly concentrated, fruit forward wines, virtually indistinguishable from the kind of wines Parker has rated highly from everywhere else.

The bargains can be found in the 98% of everything else that Spain produces, including wines from indigenous varieties found only in Spain.

In selecting Spanish wines, it’s important to know something about the predominant grape varieties, the leading regions, and the classifications—both those that indicate the amount of barrel aging as well as those intended to indicate quality levels.

Although Spain claims to have over 600 indigenous grape varieties, 80% of production is based on only 20 varieties. The red grape commonly associated with Spain, Tempranillo, is only the second most widely grown grape, after Airen, a white grape whose production is largely for brandy. Other major red grapes are Garnacha (known as Grenache in most of the rest of the world, but originally from Spain), Cariñena (known as Carignan elsewhere), Monastrell (known as Mourvèdre elsewhere) and Graciano. The primary white grapes that produce the dry, flavorful, good white wine values from Spain are Albariño, Verdejo and Macabeo (also known as Viura).

The sparkling Cavas are traditionally made from a combination of Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada, although some Chardonnay is also being used these days. The grapes that are the basis for Sherry, fortified wines from southern Spain that range from very dry to intensely sweet, are Palomino and Pedro Ximénez.

Sherry

International varieties have also been increasingly planted in Spain in the last two decades. The most important of those are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.

The leading wine region traditionally in Spain, where many of the largest and most important producers are still to be found, is Rioja. Rioja got a boost from a lot of French investment and advice in the late 1800s, when the phylloxera louse began to devastate French and other European vineyards decades before it reached the middle of Spain. Tempranillo blends, long aged mainly in American oak, continue to dominate production here, and lots of good values can be found.

great older Riojas

Ribera del Duero is another major region known primarily for its Tempranillo and Tempranillo blends. The Priorat is a newer wine growing region where Grenache dominates, often in blends including international varieties.

The great sources of white wines are Rías Baixas in the cooler, northwest region of Galicia, and the Penedès in Catalonia on the northeastern coast.

Two indications of quality are the classifications DO, for Denominación de Origen, and DOCa, for Denominación de Origen Calificada. There are now 66 regions with DO status, but only two DOCa’s so far–the newer category for DOs that have a consistent track record for quality. The two DOCa’s are Rioja and Priorat.

Most of the DOs have their own controlling bodies that dictate regulations for that DO, governing everything from viticultural practices to the minimum requirements for barrel and bottle aging. The primary categories established by law indicating the amount of barrel aging, however, are Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.

“Joven,” meaning young, are white, red or rosé wines sold the year following the vintage, with little or no time in oak. These tend to be lighter, fruitier wines made for drinking within a year or two. Some producers may add the term “Roble,” meaning oak, to indicate when such wines have spent some time in barrel or cask, but less than the six months required for Crianzas.

The “Crianza” label on red wines indicates they have been aged at least 24 months, at least six months of that in oak and the rest in bottle. In Rioja and Ribera del Duero, the regulatory authorities raised that to at least 12 months in oak. Crianza whites and rosés require at least 12 months aging, at least six of that in oak.

one producer’s Gran Reserva, Reserva and Crianza

Climbing up the ladder of cellar aging, and usually quality, are “Reserva” wines. Reds with this labeling must be aged at least 36 months, at least 12 of those in oak. White and rosé reservas, which are rarer, must be aged at least 24 months, with a minimum of six in oak.

“Gran Reservas” are made only in the best vintages, or from the best selection of grapes in a given vintage. Red Gran Reservas will have spent at least five years aging, at least 18 months of that in oak. Many producers age them for considerably longer than the minimum required time. Gran Reserva whites and rosés require only four years of aging, at least six of which are in oak.

For recommendations on great producers and wines from Rioja, see my report here on a tasting last year of nearly 200 wines. For recommendations on producers from throughout Spain that were represented at last month’s Spanish Wine Cellar Trade Show in San Francisco, see my full report below.

The Spanish Wine Cellar trade event is an annual showcase of up-and-coming producers seeking representation in the U.S. Over 40 producers were represented this year, from 19 wine regions, including Rioja, La Macha, Rueda, Navarra, Ribera del Duero, Jumilla, Ribiero and Valdeorras.

I tasted 113 wines at this event, and the quality was quite consistent over all, with an average score of 87.88 points. I rated 16 wines 90 points or higher.

The best sparkling wines at the tasting were Cavas from Castell d’Age and Torre Orio. The best white wines were from Bodegas Agnusdei, Agricola Catellana, José Pariente, Groupo Pazo Do Mar and Vinigalicia. The best reds were from Finca de Refugio, Bodega Los Aljibes, Bodegas del Medievo, Vega Clara, Viñedos de Alfaro and Bodegas Vitulia.

The wines I rated 90 points or higher were:
2011 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas You & Me White Experience – 90 points
2010 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas – 90+ points
2008 Castell d’Age Cava Anne Marie Comtesse Reserva – 90 pts.
2008 Castell d’Age Cava Reserva Brut Nature – 90+ pts.
2011 Castell d’Age Penedès L’Essència del Xarel-lo – 90+ pts.
2011 Agricola Castellana Sauvignon Blanc Rueda Cuatro Rayas – 90+ points
2009 Finca el Refugio Vino de la Tierra de Castilla – 90 points
2009 Bodega José Pariente Rueda Fermentado en Barrica – 91+ points
2007 Bodega Los Aljibes Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Selectus – 91+ points
2006 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Gran Reserva – 90+ points
2011 Bodegas Pazo Das Tapias Godello Monterrei Finca os Cobatos – 91+ points
N.V. Torre Oria Brut Cava – 90+ points
2009 Vega Clara Ribera del Duero Mario – 90+ points
2005 Viñedos de Alfaro Graciano Rioja – 92 points
2011 Vinigalicia Albariño Rías Baixas Terra Mundi – 91 points
2006 Bodegas Vitulia Ribera del Duero Reserva – 90 points

For complete details and tasting notes on all the wines I tasted at this event, see below:

Agnusdei

• 2011 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas You & Me White Experience – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; aromatic, tart pear, floral nose; tasty, juicy, tart pear, floral, tart peach palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas You & Me White Experience – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; chalk, tart pear nose; tart pear, tart citrus palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; tart citrus, tart apple nose; tasty, tart citrus, tart apple palate with lively, medium acidity; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Agnusdei Albariño Rías Baixas – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; tart pear, tart apple nose; tasty, tart pear, tart apple palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Agnusdei Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Me & You – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Medium dark ruby color; fresh, aromatic, ripe currant, violets nose; fresh, ripe currant, violets palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)

Alanis

• 2011 Bodega Alanis Ribeiro Gran Alanis – Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro
  Very light yellow color; mineral, tart apple, lightly oxidized apple nose; tart apple, mineral, lightly oxidized apple, tart peach palate; medium finish 88+ points (blend of Treixadura and Godello) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Bodega Alanis Ribeiro San Trocado – Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro
  Light yellow color; chalk, tart citrus nose; soft, ripe lime, citrus palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2011 Bodega Alanis Ribeiro Monte Lourido – Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro
  Light lemon yellow color; tart citrus, ripe lime nose; tart lime palate with good texture; medium finish (blend of Palomino and Treixadura; great value at about $5) (89 pts.)

Carabal

• 2009 Bodega Carabal Ribera del Guadiana Carabal – Spain, Extremadura, Ribera del Guadiana
  Dark ruby color; baked plum, oak nose; baked plum, oak palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (53% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano; 10 mos in both French and American oak) (88 pts.)
• 2007 Bodega Carabal Ribera del Guadiana Carabal – Spain, Extremadura, Ribera del Guadiana
  Dark ruby color; tart black fruit nose; solid, tart black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (80% Syrah, 20% Tempranillo; 5 mos. in French oak) (88 pts.)

Castell d’Age

• 2008 Castell d’Age Cava Anne Marie Comtesse Reserva – Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Light peach yellow color; tart peach, floral nose; tasty, tart peach, tart apple, yeasty, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (40% Xarel-lo, 40% Macabeo, 20% Parellada; aged at least 15 mos in bottle) (90 pts.)
• 2008 Castell d’Age Cava Reserva Brut Nature – Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Light yellow color with lots of medium sized bubbles; yeasty, tart apple, tart pear nose; tart apple, saline, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (min age of 20 mos in bottle) (90 pts.)
• 2011 Castell d’Age Penedès L’Essència del Xarel-lo – Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
  Light yellow color; lifted, tart apple, ripe pear nose; appealing, tart pear, green apple, floral, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)

Castellana

• 2011 Agricola Castellana Verdejo Rueda Azumbre – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart apple, mineral nose; tart citrus, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium finish 86+ points (100% Verdejo, from 80 yr old ungrafted vines; grown at 800 meters altitude) (86 pts.)
• 2011 Agricola Castellana Verdejo Rueda Cuatro Rayas Centenarios – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; focused, tart citrus, tart lime nose; tart citrus, mineral, tart lime palate; medium-plus finish (vineyard is more than 100 yrs old) (89 pts.)
• 2011 Agricola Castellana Verdejo Rueda Cuatro Rayas – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart citrus nose; fresh, tart citrus palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (30 yr old vines) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Agricola Castellana Sauvignon Blanc Rueda Cuatro Rayas – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; smoky, tart gooseberry nose; very tart gooseberry, smoke, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)

Compañia General de Vinos de Cadiz

• 2009 Compañia General de Vinos de Cadiz Alberite – Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
  Dark ruby color; lifted, baked cherry, cinnamon nose; ripe berry, cinnamon palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 pts.)

Covides

• NV Duc de Foix Cava Reserva Especial – Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Light yellow with lots of small bubbles; earthy, reduction, tart green fruit nose; tangy, tart green fruit, mineral, citrus, reduction palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (60% Xarel-lo, 20% Chardonnay, 20% Macabeo; aged a minimum of 30 mos in bottle) (86 pts.)
• NV Xenius Cava Brut Seleccion – Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Light yellow color with small bubbles; fresh, tart citrus, lime nose; tasty, fresh, tart citrus, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (45% Macabeo, 40% Xarel-lo, 15% Parellada; aged 12 mos in bottle) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Covides Penedès Duc de Foix Rosado – Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
  Dark pink color; herbaceous, tart currant nose; herbaceous, tart currant, green olive palate; medium finish (88 pts.)

Dominio del Bendito

• 2010 Dominio del Bendito Toro El primer paso – Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
  Medium dark ruby color; oak, herbaceous nose; tart plum, oak palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
• 2008 Dominio del Bendito Toro Las Sabias – Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
  Dark ruby color; violets, ripe plum nose; violets, ripe plum palate; medium finish (88 pts.)

Encomienda de Cervera

• 2009 Encomienda de Cervera Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Vulcanus – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Medium ruby color; lifted, ripe berry, baked berry nose; baked berry, black fruit palate; medium finish (aged 6 mos in American and French oak) (87 pts.)
• 2009 Encomienda de Cervera Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Poker de Tempranillos – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Dark ruby color; nice black fruit, oak nose; baked black fruit, spice, black fig palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos in both American and French oak) (88 pts.)
• 2008 Encomienda de Cervera Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Maar de Cervera – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Medium dark ruby color; baked berry, oak nose; baked berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos in both American and French oak) (86 pts.)

Estancia Piedra

• 2006 Bodegas Estancia Piedra Toro Platino Selección – Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
  Dark ruby color; tart berry, oak nose; tasty, tart berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish (12 mos. in oak, 85% Grench, 15% American) (88 pts.)

Finca el Refugio

• 2010 Finca el Refugio Tempranillo Legado Roble – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Dark ruby color; lifted, tart cherry, red berry nose; tart cherry, red berry palate; medium finish 87+ points (aged 3 mos. in French oak and 6 mos. in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2010 Finca el Refugio Verdejo Legado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Light yellow color; mineral, tart green fruit nose; fresh, tart lime aid, quinine palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
• 2007 Finca el Refugio Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Legado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Dark red violet color; nice, tart plum, herbaceous, pencil lead nose; tart plum, herbaceous, pencil lead palate; medium-plus finish (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot; aged 14 mos. in French oak and 18 mos. in bottle; terrific value at about $5) (89 pts.)
• 2009 Finca el Refugio Vino de la Tierra de Castilla – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Dark ruby color; focused, tart black fruit, pencil lead nose; tasty, tart black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish (Petit Verdot; great value) (90 pts.)

Gallegas

• 2011 Bodegas Gallegas Albariño Rías Baixas Miudino – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; lifted, tart citrus, mineral nose; tart citrus, mineral, grapefruit palate; medium finish 86+ points (86 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Gallegas Ribeiro Gran Campino – Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro
  Light yellow color; floral, tart apple nose; floral, tart apple, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)

Gardel

• 2011 Bodegas Gardel La Mancha Dominio de Gardel – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Medium dark ruby color; violets, tart berry nose; tart berry, violets palate; medium-plus finish (50/50 Tempranillo/Syrah) (87 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Gardel La Mancha Dominio de Gardel Rosado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Medium pink color; appealing, light cherry, strawberry nose; strawberry cream, tart cherry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)

Habla

• 2007 Bodegas Habla S.L. Vino de la Tierra Extremadura Nº 7 – Spain, Extremadura, Vino de la Tierra Extremadura
  Medium dark ruby color; tart cherry, plum nose; tart cherry, plum palate; medium-plus finish (40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Tempranillo, 20% Petit Verdot; aged 13 mos in French oak) (89 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Habla S.L. Vino de la Tierra Extremadura No 8 – Spain, Extremadura, Vino de la Tierra Extremadura
  Dark ruby color; baked plum, baked berry, clove nose; baked plum, baked berry, clove palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (100% Syrah; aged 13 mos in French oak) (88 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Habla S.L. Vino de la Tierra Extremadura Del Silencio – Spain, Extremadura, Vino de la Tierra Extremadura
  Very dark ruby color; porty, baked cherry nose; porty, baked cherry, oak palate; medium finish (50% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo; aged 6 mos in French oak) (83 pts.)

Hizan

• 2010 Hizan Ribera del Duero – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Medium dark ruby color; herbaceous nose; herbaceous, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (84 pts.)

Javier Sanz

• 2011 Javier Sanz Rueda Villa Narcisa – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light lemon yellow color; ripe lime, tart green melon nose; ripe lime, tart green melon, chalk palate; medium finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
• 2010 Javier Sanz Rueda Colección V1863 – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; aromatic, tart pear, nectarine nose; tart pear, mineral, oak palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (ungrafted vines, 4 mos on fine lees) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Javier Sanz Sauvignon Blanc Rueda Villa Narcisa – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart gooseberry nose; tart gooseberry, tart lime palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)

José Pariente

• 2011 Bodega José Pariente Verdejo Rueda – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart citrus nose with a little reduction; simple, tart citrus, lime palate; medium finish 87+ points (30 yr old vineyards) (87 pts.)
• 2011 Bodega José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc Rueda – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart gooseberry, smoke nose; flavorful, tart gooseberry, smoke, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
• 2009 Bodega José Pariente Rueda Fermentado en Barrica – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light golden yellow color; appealing, chalk, tart apple, hay nose; very tasty, tart lime, white flower, green pear, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (100% old vine Verdejo; 6 mos. in new and used French oak) (91 pts.)

Larchago

• 2011 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rueda Valle de Orón – Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Light yellow color; tart lime, apple nose; tart lime, apple palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Ribera del Duero Valle de Orón Crianza – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; herbaceous, tobacco nose; herbaceous, tobacco palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos. in American and French oak) (88 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rioja Izarbe Reserva Selección – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
  Medium dark red violet color; mature, tart black fruit, meaty nose; tasty, mature, tart black fruit, meaty, iodine palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
• 2001 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rioja Izarbe Gran Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Dark red violet color; mature, baked plum, black fruit, roasted plum nose; tasty, mature, baked plum, black fruit, roasted plum palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Dark ruby color; oak, tart plum nose; tart plum, oak palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rioja Blanco – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Light yellow color; tart green pear, green apple nose; tart green pear, green apple palate; medium finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas Larchago (Chavarri) Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Dark ruby color; tart black fruit, tart plum nose; mature, tart black fruit, dried black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (aged 12 mos in American and French oak and 24 mos. in bottle) (88 pts.)

Loa

• 2007 Bodegas Loa Rioja – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium dark ruby color; tar, tart black fruit, French oak nose; tar, tart black fruit, French oak palate; medium-plus finish (aged 24 mos in new French oak casks and 18 mos in bottle) (88 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Loa Rioja Spes – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium ruby color; baked plum, oak nose; baked plum, oak palate; medium-plus finish (aged 16 mos in both French and American casks, 12 mos in bottle) (87 pts.)

Los Aljibes

• 2011 Bodega Los Aljibes Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Viña Aljibes Rosado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Bright medium pink color; lifted, bright cherry, hibiscus, floral nose bright cherry, hibiscus, floral palate; medium finish (100% Syrah) (89 pts.)
• 2007 Bodega Los Aljibes Cabernet Franc Vino de la Tierra de Castilla – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Medium dark red violet color; tart black fruit, pencil lead nose; tasty, tart black fruit, pencil lead, tar palate; medium-plus finish (aged 14 mos. in French oak; great value at about $10) (89 pts.)
• 2007 Bodega Los Aljibes Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Selectus – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Medium dark ruby color; intense, tart currant, coffee nose; intense, tart currant, coffee, tar palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; aged 18 mos. in new French oak and 12 mos. in bottle) (91 pts.)

Medievo

• 2010 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Selección Especial – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium ruby color; tart currant nose; tart currant palate; medium finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium ruby color; tart cherry, red berry nose; tart cherry, red berry palate; medium-plus finish (80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano; aged 12 mos. in French oak and 6 mos. in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2007 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Tart currant, tart plum nose; tart currant, tart plum palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
• 2006 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Gran Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Dark ruby color; deep black fruit, baked black fruit, baked cherry nose; tasty, mature, tart cherry, tart plum palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
• 2009 Bodegas del Medievo Graciano Tuerce Botas Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium dark ruby color; bright, lifted, ripe currant nose; ripe currant, violets palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos. in French oak, 6 mos. in bottle) (89 pts.)

Pago de Larrainzar

• 2006 Pago de Larrainzar Navarra – Spain, Navarra
  Medium ruby color; tart cherry, tart berry nose; tart cherry, tart berry palate; long finish (50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha; 15 mos. in French oak) (89 pts.)
• 2007 Pago de Larrainzar Navarra Raso de Larrainzar – Spain, Navarra
  Medium ruby color; baked plum nose; tasty, baked plum palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)

Pazo Do Mar (Grupo)

• 2011 Pazo Do Mar Ribeiro Expresión – Spain, Galicia, Ribeiro
  Light yellow color; light, ripe pear nose; tasty, ripe pear, mineral, ripe citrus palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Pazo Das Tapias Godello Monterrei Finca os Cobatos – Spain, Galicia, Monterrei
  Light golden yellow color; appealing, mineral, tart peach, citrus nose; tasty, mineral, tart citrus, lime palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Pazo Das Tapias Monterrei Alma De Tinto – Spain, Galicia, Monterrei
  Medium dark cherry red color; ripe currant nose; ripe currant palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)

Príncipe de Viana

• 2007 Bodegas Príncipe de Viana Navarra Albret La Viña de Mi Madre – Spain, Navarra
  Medium dark ruby color; olive, herbaceous nose; tart currant, herbaceous, green olive palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot; aged 21 mos. in new French oak casks and 27 mos. in bottle) (88 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Príncipe de Viana Navarra Príncipe de Viana Edición Limitada – Spain, Navarra
  Dark ruby color; herbaceous, olive nose; herbaceous, olive palate; medium finish (50% Merlot, 25% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14 mos in 75% French oak, 25% American oak, 22 mos in bottle) (85 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Príncipe de Viana Navarra Albret Crianza – Spain, Navarra
  Medium dark ruby color; herbaceous, olive nose; herbaceous, olive palate; medium finish (86 pts.)

Prinur

• 2006 Bodegas Prinur Cariñena Viñas Viejas – Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
  Medium dark ruby color; aromatic, baked berry, French oak nose; baked berry, black fruit, French oak palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, 100 yr old Grenache, Carinena and Vidadilo; aged 20 mos in French and American oak casks) (88 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas Prinur Cariñena Selección Calar – Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
  Dark ruby color; aromatic, ripe berry, tart cherry nose; fresh, ripe berry, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and 100 yr old Grenache; aged in French oak casks for 20 mos.) (88 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Prinur Macabeo Cariñena – Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
  Light yellow color; aromatic, tart pear, mineral nose; tart pear, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)

Puente de Rus

• 2011 Bodegas Puente de Rus Airen – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Light yellow color; ripe pear nose; ripe pear palate with lowish acidity; medium finish (86 pts.)
• 2007 Bodegas Puente de Rus Tempranillo Crianza – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Medium dark ruby color; nice, tart cherry, tart currant nose; tart cherry, tart currant palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos. in French oak casks and 6 mos. in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Puente de Rus Syrah – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Dark ruby color; tart cherry, tart plum nose; tart cherry, tart plum palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (86 pts.)

Purisima Concepcion

• 2007 Purisima Concepcion Sociedad Cooperativa Ribera del Júcar SIGNUM Teatinos Crianza – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Ribera del Júcar
  Dark ruby color; tart cherry nose; simple, tart cherry palate; medium finish 85+ points (85 pts.)

Romero de Ávila Salcedo

• 2011 Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo La Mancha Portento – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Very dark ruby color; tart cherry, red berry nose; tasty, tart cherry, tart black cherry palate; needs 1 yr; medium finish (no oak) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo La Mancha Portento – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Light yellow color; light grapefruit nose; tart grapefruit palate with medium acidity; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo La Mancha Portento Crianza – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Dark ruby color; aromatic, American oak, dill, tart cherry nose; dill, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish (aged 12 mos in oak casks and 12 mos in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2008 Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Testigo – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
  Dark ruby color; tart cherry, light dill nose; tart cherry, light dill palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (80% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah) (87 pts.)

Rosalía de Castro

• 2011 Soc. Coop. Vitivinícola Arousana SCG Albariño Rías Baixas Paco & Lola – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; tart citrus, chalk nose; tasty, tart citrus, tart pear, chalk, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (no malo) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Rosalía de Castro Albariño Rías Baixas Lolo – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light medium yellow color; tart apple, tart pear nose; tasty, tart apple, citrus palate with medium acidity; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2010 Rosalía de Castro Navarra Paco – Spain, Navarra
  Medium ruby color; tart cherry nose; ripe cherry, ripe red berry palate; medium finish (blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha old vines; 3 mos. in French & American oak) (87 pts.)

San Dionisio

• 2007 Bodegas San Dionisio Jumilla Señorio de Fuentealamo Crianza – Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
  Dark ruby color; tart cherry, berry nose; fresh, tart cherry, tart red berry, juniper palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (60% Monastrell, 40% Syrah; aged 8 mos in American oak casks) (88 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas San Dionisio Monastrell Jumilla Santonegro Selección – Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
  Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; tart cherry, red berry nose; youthful, tart cherry, red berry palate; needs 1-2 years; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2006 Bodegas San Dionisio Jumilla Mainetes Selección – Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
  Dark ruby color; tart berry, violets nose; tasty, tart berry, violets palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish 88+ points (33% Monastrell, 33% Syrah, 33% Merlot; aged 10 mos in French oak casks) (88 pts.)

Santa Cruz de Alpera

• 2011 Santa Cruz de Alpera Almansa – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Almansa
  Very light yellow color; lifted, floral, tart lime, citrus nose; tart lime core, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
• 2011 Santa Cruz de Alpera Almansa – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Almansa
  Dark ruby color; banana, ripe cherry nose; banana, ripe cherry palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
• 2011 Santa Cruz de Alpera Almansa Apiarum Tinto – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Almansa
  Medium dark ruby color; baked cherry nose; simple, baked cherry palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
• 2009 Santa Cruz de Alpera Almansa Albarroble Crianza – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Almansa
  Dark ruby color; light reduction, oak nose; ripe currant palate; medium finish (85% Garnacha Tintorera and 15% Monastrell; aged 12 mos in French oak, 6 mos in bottle) (86 pts.)

Torre Oria

• NV Torre Oria Brut Cava – Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Light golden yellow color with lots of small bubbles; slightly oxidative, tart apple, tart peach nose; flavorful, tart peach, yeasty, tart citrus palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (terrific value at about $8) (90 pts.)
• 2007 Torre Oria Utiel-Requena Reserva – Spain, Valencia, Utiel-Requena
  Medium cherry red color; tart cherry, ripe currant nose; tasty, tart cherry, ripe currant, tart black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (18 mos in French and American oak; very good value if you can find it) (89 pts.)
• NV Torre Oria Utiel-Requena Cava Brut Reserva – Spain, Valencia, Utiel-Requena
  Light yellow color; tart citrus, oxidative, lemon rind nose; juicy, tart lemon rind, grapefruit rind, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (90% Macabeo, 10% Parellada; 15 mos secondary fermentation in bottle) (89 pts.)

Vega Clara

• 2009 Vega Clara Ribera del Duero Mario – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; espresso, oak, ripe plum nose; espresso, berry, ripe plum palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged 14 mos in oak–33% American, 33% French, 33% Hungarian) (90 pts.)

Vidal del Saz

• 2010 Bodegas Vidal del Saz La Mancha Buyanté – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Light yellow color with a few bubbles; aromatic, quinine, oxidative, lime nose; quinine, oxidative, lime, tangy palate with a finish reminiscent of cottage cheese; medium-plus finish 87+ points (blend of Airen and Moscatel) (87 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Vidal del Saz La Mancha Selección White – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Light yellow color; tart citrus nose; light, tart citrus palate; medium finish (blend of Macabeo, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo) (86 pts.)
• 2009 Bodegas Vidal del Saz La Mancha Crianza – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Black tinged dark ruby color; ripe currant nose; tart currant palate with medium acidity; medium finish (aged 12 mos in oak, plus 6 mos in bottle) (86 pts.)
• 2011 Bodegas Vidal del Saz La Mancha Rosé Selección – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Medium pink color; herbaceous nose; herbaceous, tart currant palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (blend of Merlot and Syrah) (89 pts.)
• 2010 Bodegas Vidal del Saz La Mancha Roble – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha
  Dark ruby color; tart currant nose; tasty, tart currant palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)

Viña Tuelda

• 2009 Viña Tuelda S.L. Ribera del Duero Crianza – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; berry, black fruit, vanilla nose; vanilla, ripe black fruit, berry palate; medium-plus finish (aged 15 mos in French and American oak casks) (89 pts.)
• 2010 Viña Tuelda S.L. Ribera del Duero Joven – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; aromatic, plum, berry nose; plum, berry, stewed plum palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
• 2009 Viña Tuelda S.L. Ribera del Duero Roble – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; aromatic, tart cherry, red berry nose; tasty, tart cherry, red berry palate with lowish acidity; medium-plus finish (aged 2 mos in French and American oak casks) (88 pts.)

Viñedos de Alfaro

• 2007 Viñedos de Alfaro Rioja Conde del Real Agrado Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium dark ruby color; oak, red berry, plum nose; ripe plum, berry, integrating oak palate; medium finish (blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano; aged 12 mos in French and American oak plus 6 mos in bottle) (88 pts.)
• 2010 Viñedos de Alfaro Rioja Real Agrado – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium dark ruby color; tart berry, violets nose; tart berry, violets palate; medium finish (blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha; no oak aging, minimum of 4 mos in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2005 Viñedos de Alfaro Rioja Conde del Real Agrado Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Medium ruby color; rich, ripe berry, tart black fruit nose; tasty, tart black fruit, tart berry palate with integrating oak; medium-plus finish (40% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 15% Mazuelo, 15% Graciano; aged 18 mos in French and American oak and 18 mos in bottle) (89 pts.)
• 2005 Viñedos de Alfaro Graciano Rioja – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
  Dark ruby color; lifted, ripe cherry, baked cherry nose; very tasty, baked cherry, ripe cherry palate; medium-plus finish (3 yrs in bottle) (92 pts.)

Vinigalicia

• 2011 Vinigalicia Albariño Rías Baixas Terra Mundi – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Light yellow color; nice, aromatic, tart pear nose; tasty, tart pear, floral, citrus, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2011 Vinigalicia Valdeorras Verdes Castros – Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras
  Light yellow color; focused, tart lime nose; tart lime, mineral, chalk palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
• 2010 Vinigalicia Ribeira Sacra Via Romana – Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra
  Medium dark ruby color; light oak, tart red berry nose; light oak, tart red berry, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (minimum of 6 mos in tanks, plus 6 mos in bottle) (88 pts.)

Vitulia

• 2007 Bodegas Vitulia Ribera del Duero Crianza – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Medium dark ruby color; baked black fruit, oak nose; baked black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (aged 16 mos in 70% French and 30% American oak casks; 12 mos in bottle) (88 pts.)
• 2009 Bodegas Vitulia Ribera del Duero Roble – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; baked berry nose; soft, baked berry palate; medium finish (aged 11 mos in 70% French and 30% American oak casks, 12 mos in bottle) (87 pts.)
• 2006 Bodegas Vitulia Ribera del Duero Reserva – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Dark ruby color; vanilla, ripe berry nose; tasty, ripe berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (aged 24 mos in 78% French 22% American oak casks, 18 mos in bottle) (90 pts.)