Vuelta Espagnol - Spanish grape varieties/regions tasting

This private tasting was organized by Manuel Vogel, Balearic Sommelier Champion, on my request to get a brush up on Spanish grape varieties and regions. Very well done Manuel, thank you!

• 2010 Bodegas Herederos Ribas Ribas de Cabrera 91 Points

  Spain, Balearic Islands

  During organized tasting. Discrete nose of red currents, mint and leather. Medium bodied wine combining the spiciness of the Montonegro grape with the body of Syrah and Cab Sav.

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• 2010 4 Kilos Vi de La Tierra Mallorca 4 Kilos 91 Points

  Spain, Balearic Islands, Vi de La Tierra Mallorca

  During an organized Spain tasting. Discrete nose of graphite, mint, olive and cassis. The spiciness, pepper and noticeable tannins remind me of Northern Rhone. Very nice blend indeed.

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• 2009 Armero Adrover Pla i Llevant Seleccio Familiar 92 Points

  Spain, Balearic Islands, Pla i Llevant

  During an organized Spain tasting. This 100% Callet is one of the most interesting wines of Mallorca. Medium garnet color. Discrete nose of red currant, rose, leather and minerals. It is an elegant light-medium bodied wine fully aromatic herbal side, not made for the simple "fruitbomb" following crowd. Very original, very nice display of the local terroir.

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• 2008 Can Ràfols dels Caus Penedès El Rocallis 88 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Penedès

  During an organized Spain tasting. A fresh, mineralic wine with ever so slight petrol notes like in a Riesling. Good balance ideal companion for Spanish Seafood dishes.

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• 2005 Rafael Cambra Valencia Minimum 92 Points

  Spain, Valencia

  During an organized Spain tasting. Deep ruby. Expressive nose of thyme, rosemary, olive, leather and distinctive barnyard, horse stable notes, very Pessac Leognan like. Medium body with strong but ripe tannins. Not for the broad crowd but experienced Claret drinkers will certainly like this.

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• 2006 Bodega Mustiguillo El Terrerazo Quincha Corral 93 Points

  Spain, Valencia, El Terrerazo

  During an organized Spain tasting. Deep purple. Very expressive and ripe note of dark berries and plum. Clearly southern but with good complexity. Full bodied on the palate but with enough tannins to support the big frame. Blockbuster but not over the top. Very nice example of Bobal.

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• 2008 Celler de Capçanes Montsant Cabrida Flawed

  Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant

  During an organized Spain tasting. Corked!

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• 2010 Ferrer Bobet Priorat Selecció Especial Vinyes Velles 94 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  During an organized Spain tasting. Deep purple. Expressive note of dark berries with eucalyptus, mint and graphite. Medium-full body but highly mineralic and fruity at the same time, no animalic notes. Raou Bobet is one of Spains best wine makers and it shows in this bottle. Great Carignan!

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• 2010 Pazos de Lusco Albariño Rías Baixas Pazo Piñeiro 85 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  During an organized Spain tasting. The Albarino grape always reminds of the terrible Chasselas' in my own country even though it is obviously more complex in the nose. Still, not my cup of tea.

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• 2006 Dominio de Tares Bierzo Pago 3 Flawed

  Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo

  During an organized Spain tasting. This wine showed very much leather and bread aromas, tired with drying tannins, tired really. The sommelier said that this was not a representative bottle as the typical fruitiness of the Mentia grape was now showing, no rating given.

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• 2009 Bodegas Tritón Prieto Picudo Tridente Old Vines 91 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León

  During an organized Spain tasting. This is a so called Parker wine the sommelier explained. Produced and sold mainly in the US mainly. I think the previous author on this site was a bit harsh on this wine. As a Bdx collector I am certainly not the fruit bomb wine drinker but one has to say that this wine is very well made. Expressive nose of dark berries and plum, very fruity and full bodied but with good balance of acidity and tannins. Of course the complexity could be higher but then again this can be said to many wines.

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• 2010 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla 93 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  During an organized Spain tasting. Very expressive nose of raspberry, plum, fig, raisin with medicinal and distinctive black tea notes. I love the nose, southern but complex. Very fruit forward on the palate with silky tannins and good balance. A very good non-animalic version of Mourvedre, bright on the fruit, especially for the price.

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• 2008 La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Blanco 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  During an organized Spain tasting. Expressive nose of fresh lemon and grassy tones. Distinctive alge, salty seafood notes, very complex. Medium-full bodied on the palate but remains fresh and mineralic. I think this wine can stand up to many of the top whites from the Rhone valley.

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• 2010 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Blanco 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  During an organized Spain tasting. This Malvasia, Grenache Blanc varietal mix is very fresh with grass, hey and lemon.

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• 2005 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  During an organized Spain tasting. Deep purple. Expressive nose of black current, flum, fruit compot with eucalyptus and grass but also vanilla and toast. Complex. Full bodied with strong and a bit granular tannins that nee to soften a little more for a higher score.

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• 2005 Carmelo Rodero Ribera del Duero Pago de Valtarrena Flawed

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  During an organized Spain tasting. This wine was very oxidative, probably more than it should be, so no tasting note given.

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• 2008 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  During an organized Spain tasting. Deep purple. Nose of dark berries and dried fruit with eucalyptus. Full bodied with medium fruitiness with strong and granular tannins. This Toro wine seems to be a "Rioja + 2x tannins". They must integrate more but what worries me is that there already is an oxidative note in this wine.

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