Spicy citrus nose. Light. Not much fruit but some minerality on the end saves it from being completely without interest. Reminded me of generic, low end Muscadet and I imagine you could use it for shellfish.
Medium red. A ton of earth on the nose and then an impression of dark chocolate more than fruit. Medium weight, soft center that is not well defined but the earth reasserts itself on the finish, giving it better form than suggested by the diffuse mid-palate.
Deep color. Exaggerated, whiskey barrel oak. Lush and cedary, high acid, astringent finish due to the wood. This is exactly the type of Spanish wine I hate because of its nightmarish vinification. There may or may not be good starting material, but how could you possibly tell?
Light with some browning. Smoky and aromatic. Elegant, balanced with attractive black fruit and long, gentle finish. Relatively speaking, this was a marvel of subtlety after tasting the cartoonish Beronia. Lovely wine and my favorite red of the day.
Medium depth, murky. Serious, Bordeaux-like fragrance. Obvious oaky base but not overdone, discretely sweet black fruit, smooth feel. Rich, modern style but enough structure to hold it in check. I do not tilt toward Cabernet-based wines, but this is attractive.
Dark. High toned woody aromatics. Round, sweet blueberry flavors that are JUST short of being syrupy. Too much wood but reasonable acidity and some grip on the finish. Not for me.
NV La Cigarrera Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Floral and salty. Light, dry and saline, but there is something chemical tasting and impure on the palate.
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NV Valdespino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Fino "Inocente" Macharnudo
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Typical fino nose-salty and nutty at the same time. Rich, nutty and dry. Refreshing. I much preferred this to the Cigarrera.
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2010 Bodegas Gurrutxaga Bizkaiko Txakolina
Spain, País Vasco, Bizkaiko Txakolina
Spicy citrus nose. Light. Not much fruit but some minerality on the end saves it from being completely without interest. Reminded me of generic, low end Muscadet and I imagine you could use it for shellfish.
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2009 Adega de Monção Vinho Verde Trajarinho
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
As its name suggests, green herbal tones. Light and tangy. This was like a basic Sancerre. Better than the Txakolina.
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2008 Pazo de Señoráns Albariño Rías Baixas
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Peach fruit, herbal tones. Citrus fruit, some texture and rocky back end. Very good, the best white of the tasting.
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2010 Bodegas Gurrutxaga Bizkaiko Txakolina Rosé
Spain, País Vasco, Bizkaiko Txakolina
Orange pink color. Really smells and tastes like a red wine-bitter cherry fruit and some tannins. Light, dry. Pretty unusual, serious rose.
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2007 Quinta das Maias Dão
Portugal, Beiras, Dão
Medium ruby center. Cedary. Medium body, earthy entry with some riper, spicy dark red and black fruit and licorice. Good value.
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2006 Quinta dos Roques Touriga Nacional Dão
Portugal, Beiras, Dão
Medium red. A ton of earth on the nose and then an impression of dark chocolate more than fruit. Medium weight, soft center that is not well defined but the earth reasserts itself on the finish, giving it better form than suggested by the diffuse mid-palate.
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2005 Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Deep color. Exaggerated, whiskey barrel oak. Lush and cedary, high acid, astringent finish due to the wood. This is exactly the type of Spanish wine I hate because of its nightmarish vinification. There may or may not be good starting material, but how could you possibly tell?
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2000 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Light with some browning. Smoky and aromatic. Elegant, balanced with attractive black fruit and long, gentle finish. Relatively speaking, this was a marvel of subtlety after tasting the cartoonish Beronia. Lovely wine and my favorite red of the day.
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2000 Jean León Cabernet Sauvignon Penedès Gran Reserva La Scala
Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
Medium depth, murky. Serious, Bordeaux-like fragrance. Obvious oaky base but not overdone, discretely sweet black fruit, smooth feel. Rich, modern style but enough structure to hold it in check. I do not tilt toward Cabernet-based wines, but this is attractive.
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2008 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio
Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
Dark. High toned woody aromatics. Round, sweet blueberry flavors that are JUST short of being syrupy. Too much wood but reasonable acidity and some grip on the finish. Not for me.
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