| | Went down to Canberra to try a bucket load of Spanish wines over the weekend with Jordan Pais Vasco super fresh, begged the BBQ octopus that it (eventually) received - 2019 Xarmant Arabako Txakolina - Spain, País Vasco, Arabako Txakolina
From Coravin. Slight sulphur prickle, a little floral top note, peachy stone fruit, touch of salinity. Tends to medium plus intensity acidity, quite saline on the palate, a smidge of spritz, a little textured and citric underpin. Hmm
- 2020 Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txakolina - Spain, País Vasco, Getariako Txakolina
From Coravin. Medium minus intensity aromas, slight peach, sulphur, saline notes, a very slight off note - like rubber - is a touch confronting; this is sealed under plastic cork which may be part of the challenge, also a little almond meal. On the palate it's quite lemon sherbet, a tiny spritzy note, tends to medium plus intensity acidity, drying texture. Meh.
Note - had the rest of this bottle later with barbecued octopus and the off note had dissipated, the citric and acid notes, as well as the slight salinity really worked well. As it was a sunny day we almost felt we were in San Sebastian
Marco de Jerez oh nom nom nom for the most part here. the Socaire was very nice - 2018 Callejuela Blanco de Hornillos - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
From Coravin. Lemon, a little cereal notes, smidge of green apple. Juicy, lemon, tangy, saline, a little textual grip, touch of bitterness on the finish, simple, long. Okay.
- 2019 Primitivo Collantes Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz Viña Matalián finca Matalián - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
From Coravin. Slightly creamy notes, touch of bruised apple, sulphur, rusk, waxed lemon. Softly engaging, muted citrus and bruised apple, quite tangy with that rusk note, long. Nice.
- 2018 Primitivo Collantes Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz Socaire - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
From Coravin. Waxy, lemon, green apple, barley, a slightly meaty and saline underpin, with time a little hard biscuit. More apple than lemon, juicy tending to medium plus intensity acidity, waxy texture coats the mid palate and cereal lends a sense of creaminess, slight saline, lovely
- 2019 Bodegas Luis Pérez El Muelle de Olaso Pago Carrascal - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
From Coravin. Chalky, a little citrus, almond meal, slight saline, a slightly waxy quality with time a touch of meatiness. Tangy, slight alcohol warmth, midge of waxy texture, flavours a little muted, offering lemon and almond on the palate finishes a little short. Hmm
- 2018 Corta y Raspa La Atalaya - Spain
From Coravin. First real Flor note here offering a touch of nuttiness joined by lemon, salinity smidge of chamomile, cereal. Initially salted lemons splash the palate, that prove slightly sour, then nutty notes, textured burr tugs at the tongue , finishes dry and saline. Interesting
Callejuela focus A couple of winners in this bracket... - 2019 Callejuela Hacienda de Dª Francisca (Callejuela) - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
From Coravin. Medium minus intensity aromas of waxed lemon, cereal, very slight chamomile, rusk and a little green apple. Sour lemon, touch of bitterness, quite hard and a little too sharp for me; almost a bit unripe green apple on the finish. Nah.
- 2019 Callejuela La Choza (Macharnudo) - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
From Coravin. Fino nuttiness; green almond; slight walnut; almond skin, backed by lemon, saline notes. And that Fino note is to the fore on the palate, quite saline, nutty with a little citric underpin, tangy, quite simple, travels long with non intrusive alcohol warmth and a touch of yeast extract. Okay.
- 2019 Callejuela Las Mercedes Añina - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
From Coravin. Ripe lemons, bees wax, slightly meaty/gamey notes, a little apple and bruised apple, smidge of fino lends salinity, touch of dustiness, cereal and chamomile. Juicy, fleshy, tangy, saline, slight fino, lemon, less apple here though still a smidge, tannic burr tugs at the tongue, non intrusive alcohol warmth, long, a little cereal creaminess to the mid palate, yum, lovely.
- 2018 Callejuela Sobajanera - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
From Coravin. Rich, savoury, saline, nutty, citrus and green apple, slight saline underpin and a touch of used oak, creamy barley. Fleshy, waxy, juicy, saline, nutty with the citrus and green apple in support, a sense of freshness pervades the palate with a textured burr, smidge of yeast extract. Long, very nice.
Fino/Manzanilla The Luis Perez Caberrubia Saca III and Saca IV both showed very well. - N.V. Delgado Zuleta Albero Manzanilla En Rama Saca 3 #4/34 - Spain, Andalucía
From Coravin. Lemon with a smidge of lime, nutty, saline, slightly reductive, bruised apple, a certain umami/meaty quality, slight chamomile. Very saline, umami in the mouth, an almost hoppy bitterness, woody textured burr on the mid palate, al little salted rusk and lemon complete the picture. Nice.
- N.V. Bodegas Luis Pérez Caberrubia - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
From Coravin. Waxy, nutty, bruised apple, almond, touch of almost balsam, saline, umami, tiny touch of honey. Juicy, tangy, slightly sharp lemon then nutty, umami, saline notes join on the palate with a sense of fatty grip, touch of fruit tea and an slight alcohol warmth on the medium plus length finish, okay
- N.V. Bodegas Luis Pérez Caberrubia Saca III - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
From Coravin and magnum. Lovely fresh Fino nose, a little alcohol prickle, a little green almond skin, nutty, saline, a little citric underpin, touch of waxy polish, umami, oaky underpin and, with time in the glass, a smidge of honey. Juicy, fleshy, mouth-watering acidity, chamomile, slated almonds, touch of almond meal, a little burr to the mid palate, savoury, umami on the finish. Yum
- N.V. Bodegas Luis Pérez Caberrubia Saca IV Carrascal - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
From Coravin. Polished oak lends a little woody caramel, cream, toasted nuts, butter, saline with time and agitation a touch of lemon, barley, cereal. Fresh, fleshy, tangy, slight alcohol warmth, lemon, saline nuts; almonds; walnut; almond meal, waxy notes, a little apple and that polished oak note on the finish. Balanced. Crikey, A bit good.
Castilla Y Leon these were both a bit Meh for me... - 2018 Galia Villages - Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
From Coravin. Baked red berry fruit (think raspberry and strawberry) a little vanilla and sweet spice ,quite confected note. Bright red fruit on the palate; again raspberry and strawberry, vanilla cream, a little fruit tea tannins are lightweight and woody but persists, touch of cream on the finish, handles it's alcohol well. Clean, big, possibly a bit anonymous.
- 2015 Marqués de Riscal Tempranillo Riscal 1860 - Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
From Coravin. Very slightly reductive initially then a little strawberry, leather, slight umami/mushroom notes lends a touch of savouriness joined by a little earth, meat and tobacco leaf. Juicy tends to medium plus intensity acidity, a little strawberry, tannins are grainy, drying, slightly bitter and hard, finishes savoury, medium length. Slight non intrusive alcohol warmth on the finish. complex but a bit disjointed. meh.
Toro This has to be the laziest and tiniest selection of Toro wines and is not at all representative (I'm guessing) but I enjoyed both of these wines... - 2017 Telmo Rodríguez Toro Pago La Jara - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
From Coravin. Dense smelling black and blue fruits, berries; plums, touch of polished oak, sweet spice, savoury and concentrated, a little chalky minerality with a herbaceous underpin and, with time, a touch of jubey blackcurrant. Juicy tending to Medium plus intensity acidity, a melange of dark hued fruits, slightly drying, persistent, coarse, flour textured tannins, smidge of oaky caramel in support. Long, nice.
- 2018 Telmo Rodríguez Toro Dehesa Gago - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
From Coravin. Blue and blackberry, a little sweet spice, clean, touch of baked earth. Fresh, fleshy, grape skin tannins are slightly coarse, drying, fruit persists, clean, simple, yum.
Cillar de Silos 'badged' wines The Crianza was a bit much for me but the other two were pleasant enough. - 2018 Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Crianza - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Strawberry, vanilla, cream, a little sweet spice, touch of cream soda, with time earthy minerality, tobacco leaf. Fruit a little backed on the palate, tight chewy woody, grainy tannins rasp the tongue, cream, vanilla sweet spice in support. Woof. It's a bit heavy.
- 2020 Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Cillar - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Smells candied (strawberry lozenges) and vanilla, touch of almost stewed rhubarb, a little minty underpin, cream. Strawberry boiled sweets on the palate, cream, a little vanilla, that slight rhubarb underpin, grape tannins persist, simple, nice.
- 2020 Quintana Del Pidio Ribera del Duero El Quintanal - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Touch of wood blue, dusty baked earth, strawberry, slight vanilla, red currant, a little fruit tea, plenty of sweet spice. Juicy a id tends to medium plus intensity, tannins are in support and chalky textured, persistent, fruit is strawberry backed by a little red currant, raspberry and rhubarb. non intrusive alcohol warmth joins cream and a little vanilla on the finish. nice.
Ribera del Duero Nice little selection of wines but not really for me... - 2018 Bodegas Monteabellón Avaniel Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Strawberries, plums, sweet spice, a little baked fruit note backed by a tiny touch of tomato leaf. Juicy, savoury, slightly jubey strawberry, plums, a little black raspberry, tannins are grapey and persistent providing a coarse burr on the palate; drying, a little sweet spice, fruit tea on the finish. Pleasant enough
- 2018 Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Torresilo - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Vanilla, sweet spice, especially clove and nutmeg, toasted coconut over muted red berry fruit. In the mouth it's much of a muchness to the nose; oak water with a splash of red berry fruit, an initial lick of quite sharp acidity completes the picture. Not for me.
- 2019 Antidoto Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Fruit tea, baking spices, dark hued fruits, a little almost coffee note, rocky minerality, smells quite dense. Quite extracted on the palate, the evaporating alcohol leaves a cool mint note, tannins are blocky, drying, it's quite monolithic and fairly rustic
- 2018 Antidoto Ribera del Duero La Hormiga - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. Vanilla, slight coconut, touch of alcohol prickle, dusty oak/woody notes, a little Porty over red and black hue fruits and, in the mouth, these pretty fruits vie for attention with plentiful woody tannins, a little butter cream here as all as a touch of residual sugar and dusting of cocoa powder.
- 2019 Psi Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
From Coravin. A touch of alcohol prickle, dense dark hued fruit with a little baked quality, touch of pretty whole berry lends jubiness. With time a little toast, meat and strawberry. Juicy, fleshy, baked dark hued fruits with a little red fruit underpin, tannins are drying a touch chalky textured and rather close down the palate, finishes with a lick of alcohol warmth. Hmm.
La Rioja - Cosecha another rather small bracket but these were okay - 2016 Bodegas Lanzaga (Telmo Rodriguez) Rioja Lanzaga - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
From Coravin. Medium minus intensity aromas initially that open with time to show slightly spiritous red hued fruit; a little strawberry, cherry and raspberry, touch of sweet spice, like of vanilla. That vanilla is more to the fore on the palate joined by sweet spice, alcohol warmth here as well as the red hued fruit, tannins are woody but controlled but its a little overdone for me. Hmm.
- 2018 Viñedos de Alfaro Rioja Real Agrado - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
From Coravin. Dilute smelling red fruit; very wild strawberry, slight fruit tea, smidge of sweet spice, red currant and cranberry underpin, slight vanilla, gets more perfumed with time. Juicy, fleshy, slight savoury and bitter red hued fruits, slight herbaceous underpin, tannins are drying though quite silky textured, there is an odd oyster shell minerality here as well. interesting.
- 2019 Bodegas Lanzaga (Telmo Rodriguez) Rioja LZ - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
From Coravin. A touch earthy with slight baked strawberry and strawberry jam, a little raspberry. Medium plus intensity acidity is juicy, a little toast, that slightly baked red fruit complete on the palate, grapey tannins are talc textured, drying though persistent, fruit just about carries, alcohol warmth is a little intrusive on the finish though this probably the best showing of this wine for me.
La Rioja - Reserva The vino tondonia was superb and stood head and shoulders above the other wines in the bracket - 2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. Leather, earth, slightly oxidised baked red fruits, smidge of vanilla, sweet spic, cream, a little fresh strawberry with time. Juicy, red hued fruit rove slight sour which lends freshness, tangy, tannins are slightly drying, persistent and support the fruit alcohol warmth is non intrusive, a little leather, vanilla, cream complete the picture, fresh, balanced. Lovely
- 2005 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Baron de Chirel Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
From Coravin. Black hued fruits, plenty of sweet spice, a little dusty vanilla and vanilla pod, black tea, slight leather with time a strawberry compote quality. Savoury, meaty , leather on the palate, slightly oxidised, sweet spice, black over red fruits, tight chewy woody tannins and a lick of liquorice on the finish, a little dried out, cream and vanilla also on the finish. Needs protein.
- 2008 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
From Coravin. Clove, a little baked earth and an almost Porty note, toasted vanilla, red over black fruits, a touch of meaty underpin, dusty spices. Juicy, slightly leather, dried out baked red fruits, it's a bit oxidised on the palate, tannins are persistent and mouth filling, drying the gums, cheeks and mid palate, that clove note is joined by a little mint on the finish. Hmm.
- 2013 La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
From Coravin. A little sweet biscuit, fruit tea then red berry fruit (strawberries over raspberries) and a touch of tobacco leaf and cedar. Juicy red hued fruits a savoury spice note, that slight tobacco leaf then woody, tight, drying, slightly coarse textured and mouth filling tannins and a lick of alcohol warmth, touches of cedar and vanilla on the finish, In this line up it feels quite simple but pleasant none the less.
La Rioja - Gran Reserva The CVNE was the best of the bunch here...lovely - 1994 Urbina Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
From Coravin. Mushroom, sous bois, garigue, earth. Leather, dried red fruits, dried flowers, tiny orange peel note, very slight vanilla, gets more meaty with time. Juicy, savoury, a little dilute, leathery, tannins are drying, fruit dried out and pretty a shadow of its former self, those earthy sous bois notes show through on the palate as well, touch of fruit tea and tobacco leaf on the long finish. At the end of it's life; needs a decant and consumption fairly soon...but interesting none the less
- 2001 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. A little caramel, toast, slightly spiritous notes, dried flowers, red berry and cherry fruits, a little vanilla, cedar, plenty of sweet spice, with time settle into ripe strawberry, raspberry, cream and vanilla. Juicy, fleshy, polished, strawberries, raspberry's, slightly toasted vanilla. cream, tannins are woody, drying but support eh flavours finishes long with a little bitter note that doesn't detract, lovely.
- 2004 Puelles Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. Biscuit, a little toast, dark hued fruits, slight raisins, touch of meatiness, slight cedar, coconut, feels a little closed and reticent on the nose though. Fresh, sweetly fruit, again the In the black spectrum; blackberry, plenty of alcohol warmth and sweet spice in support, tannins are quite biscuit flavours, drying, the mid palate but quite smooth, fruit persists joined by a little coconut and cedar. Hmm.
Castilla Ygay Well, I think all of these are a bit complex and will need a good decant to show their best - 2001 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. Oxidised, caramel notes dominate the nose initially but with agitation these start to blow off to show a little bright red fruit, meaty notes, a touch of baked beans, sweet spice and vanilla, umami on the nose. In the mouth it's juicy, savoury meaty, at smidge of red fruits grows with time and becomes more concentrated and powerful. The way it opens in the glass makes me excited for its future.
- 2004 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. Meaty, savoury, a little baked bean, tomato and tomato leaf initially as well as quite an umami underpin. With time and agitation more red red fruits starts to come through; strawberry especially, with a little herbaceous underpin and plenty of vanilla oak, as well as a little red currant. Sourly juicy, meaty, savoury umami, porcini, concentrated though muted red fruits in support, tannins are drying but silky, textured, all travel long. Hmm.
- 2005 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
From Coravin. Savoury, concentrated, a little vanilla and ripe red fruits, initially with a touch of meat and balsam. With time ripe strawberry joins these, plenty of vanilla and a touch of coconut, a little dill. Juicy, red fruits, sweet spice, vanilla, a little savoury underpin, alcohol warmth, a touch of almost hard greenness. Tannins are dying, mouth filling though quite silky, long, very long in fact, palate nicer than the nose.
Lots to like today with the prospect of more of the same tomorrow!
Supper involved the aforementioned BBQ Octopus, pork belly, lamb, chorizo and various taps of the above including the 2004 Castillo Ygay and Vina Tondonia |
