Spain and Portugal Tasting
Casa Roberts
Tasted Saturday, August 1, 2009 by ews3 with 988 views
Introduction
Spain and Portugal in an evening. Tapas style food included gazpacho with mustard ice cream, tomato bread, quiche, grilled sardines, jamon iberico (the "regular" and the "belotta", an assortment of cheeses, and fruit
Flight 1 - Non-blind Starters (2 Notes)
A cava and a dry sherry -- neither could be omitted from this survey. The cava was nice and pleasant -- at this price point I prefer the Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad... but this was nice. The sherry was a cheap Manzanilla -- I liked the saltiness, but everyone else hated the oxidative character.
Flight 2 - Non-blind Light Whites (3 Notes)
The lighter of two white flights, these are all in the $5-$15 range.
Flight 3 - Blind Portuguese Reds (3 Notes)
We thought we had two Douros -- we actually had two Alentejanos. I had wines 1 & 3 reversed in what I thought they were -- a nice showing for the Cortes de Cima. All in the $10-$20 range.
Flight 4 - Blind Grenache and Blends (3 Notes)
The Alto Moncayo really shined here. The Priorat was not well liked, although as I note, I tasted different things that I did enjoy. Still, at the $40 price I paid it is acceptable -- at full list, not so much. It does have development ahead. These were in the $30 - $75 range
Flight 5 - Blind "Value" Tempranillos (3 Notes)
A disappointment that the Montecastro was damaged -- I was looking forward to that. $30 - $50 range in this flight. Knowing what the cork had looked like, that made it clear to me which was which Ribera.
Flight 6 - Blind White Rioja (3 Notes)
This was easy to pick from the colors of the wines -- I was surprised to enjoy the Reserva more than the Gran Reserva. Most people did not like the fruit or oxidation on these wines.
Flight 7 - Blind Higher End Tempranillo (3 Notes)
A great flight -- the Unico delivered on expectations and was easy to pick out. The Numanthia is a true baby that has a long time ahead.
Flight 8 - Blind Modern Styled Spanish Wines (3 Notes)
Although all three ended up Jumilla, that wasn't the intent. The El Nido and Clio were very different from the Pico Madama -- and I don't think people enjoyed this flight by and large. It was my second or third favorite flight. The El Nido was tremendous. The Clio is a great deal.
Flight 9 - Non-blind Vintage Ports (3 Notes)
Beautiful flight and way to end the evening, along with Stilton and Chocolate (Hershey's Special Dark Pomegranate and Vosges Mo's Bacon Bar!). These were all great, but I am a slut for Port...
Closing
Although the host declared expensive spanish wines disappointing, he is wrong. There is clearly a sweet spot in the $40 range of the Alto Moncayo, Clio, and the Alonso del Yerro -- but the Unico was also outstanding. The El Nido was phenomenal... so I think while there is value in the $40 wines, the high end wines performed reasonably well.
2002 Llopart Cava Brut Cava Leopardi Brut Reserva 88 Points
Spain, Cava
Nice light Cava -- quite dry style. Crisp apple dominated the palate, but could use a touch more acidity -- I think I wouldn't have enjoyed drinking this for more than the tasting pour.
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NV Hartley & Gibson's Manzanilla 85 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Simple, briny sherry. Light and refreshing with some raw almond notes behind the salt, and an oiliness. A nice apertif wine. Everyone in the group despised this wine -- I am typically not a sherry drinker, but I like the saltiness of Manzanillas.
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