2009 Bodega Cerron Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  1/26/2011, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (CERRON) 2009 Cerron Dear Friends, Spain is misunderstood. Spanish wine is far better than you think. Spain is not Australia. Spain produces wine that Jorge Ordonez knows nothing about. Spain needs to be treated like Italy or any other top wine producing region without preconception. Spain produces wine of character that is more than oak-juice and 16% alcohol. Spain has had enough of the cynicism and looks forward to proving the worth of their terroir on the big stage (and I'm not talking about a handful of obvious entrants such as Vega Sicilia and Lopez de Heredia). Therefore, will the real Spain please stand up? Yes... ...enter Bodega Cerron. From indigenous Cencibel with parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet, this wine represents the synthesis of Spanish wine culture as it has matured over the past 10-15 years. From new kid on the block to fragmented and misunderstood, Spain of 2011 is as exciting a vinous region as exists in the world. From experience comes knowledge and most of the best young producers in Spain want nothing to do with the carnival show that developed over the last decade personified by creations such as Termanthia (and much of Toro, not for lack of brilliant material). The new Spain embraces its climate but wishes to express more than just massive/raisined/oaked monsters – the new Spain wishes to express soul (along with a nicely balanced does of extract, material and freshness). Bodega Cerron is the poster-child for this new generation of BIO/organic and natural producers that have as much in common with Saumur and St. Joseph as they do Rioja. What sets them apart from their northern French counterparts is sun – lots of it – and vines that are used to the conditions. Why fight a good thing when so many others would fight for the natural sunshine and overall climate that much of inland Spain has in two out of every three years? In addition, as much as it is perceived to be a dirty word, natural/BIO wine does not have to be tank/cement/amphorae to be “real” - in fact, that entire concept is as tiring as the would-be naysayers that force a no-oak agenda upon all of us. When properly done, natural wine can be raised in oak (old and/or new) and the result is as lovely as anything from a clay pot. If the material is there, the artistry of the vineyard and of the winery can (and do) coexist with wood. Which brings us to Bodega Cerron. Bodega Cerron is located in the emerging Tierra di Castilla district near Madrid. Their clients are knowledgeable patrons from the Capital and the standards they’ve set are very high (this winery could play at RN74 or Terroir – usually, it’s one or the other). Cerron’s top wine is a $13+ red with a distinct front, middle and end – it is a mini-marvel of a beverage that will please those looking for a mouthful of fruit but also those that yearn for soil and mineral tone. Yes, there is wood but the wine's result is a natural process of maturation, not of an attempt to slug us over the head with a caramel-tinged 2 x 4. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – the 2009 Cerron was one or the highest rated Spanish wines at the big taste-off last summer and it continues to be just as good circa January 26th, 2011 (I enjoyed it last night but it is really singing tonight after 24 hours of air). This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2009 Bodega Cerron (Tierra de Castilla) - (compare at $18-22+) To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to depart from Spain – it will arrive in March (please check OARS for local pick up after March 20th). It will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Spain8881 Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.