The Iberian Peninsula

My largest tasting yet - 61 people! I tried to cover a range of wines from the Iberian Peninsula, though of course with only 8 wines to play with I had to miss out quite a lot.

• 2011 Xarmant Arabako Txakolina 88 Points

  Spain, País Vasco, Arabako Txakolina

  Racy and fresh - plenty of citrus and minerality, as all txakolinas should have. However, this one's a little on the light side - not quite as bracing as I'd hoped. Tanzer is the one critic I've found whose tastes often mirror mine, but I can't see the 91 score on this. $16.

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• 2010 Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde 82 Points

  Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

  Given how affordable Vinho Verde tends to be, this $13 specimen really should have delivered more. Despite the spritz, the acid on this was a little low, making it pretty insipid, despite the otherwise pretty well-balanced palate. If there's one thing a VV shouldn't be, it's flabby. A pleasant quaffer but not worth it.

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• NV El Xamfra Cava Brut 87 Points

  Spain, Cava

  Very nice bold Cava. Perhaps a slight sulfur problem? A little metallic / burnt match note on the nose, but this blew off to reveal quite a lovely warm nose yet a bright palate. Smooth mousse, big body, long finish. Very pleasant and not bad for $15.

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• 2011 Bodegas Valdesil Godello Sobre Lías 89 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras

  My first Godello, and a good start! Fragrant, ever so slightly floral nose, yet very savory on the palate - warm, clean and delicate, like clean cotton in a meadow. Quite lovely and my white WOTN. $22.

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• 2005 Bodegas Valsacro Rioja Dioro 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Boy oh boy do I love this wine. I tasted this a few months ago but I had forgotten how amazing it was until today's tasting. Caveat: this is *extremely* oaky and most certainly not a "traditional" Rioja. I'm not talking super blockbuster punch-your-teeth-out oak, it's certainly not that, but this is all about the soft, creamy, sweet, almost powdery (in the perfumery sense) oak. The leathery, slightly meaty dark cherry is smooth, silky and supple. Everything is functioning perfectly now - tannin, acid, fruit and oak. Drink drink drink! Can't believe this only cost me $20.

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• 2008 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva 86 Points

  Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo

  From magnum. Hmm - perhaps this performs well in some years, but this doesn't seem to be a good example. Tastes like they didn't quiet get the ripeness they wanted - this is quite green. Plenty of good fruit and structure - maybe this needs some time to smooth out? A hard one to place. $25.

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• 2008 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques 90 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Should have decanted. Too big right now. After 10 minutes of aggressive swirling of a very small quantity, this revealed some gorgeous berry and juniper notes. Quite lovely - very perfumed and quite an intense sip. Certainly not for the faint of heart, but then I don't think much Priorat is. 15%, $30.

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• 2001 Warre Porto Late Bottled Vintage 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Great stuff, this. Call me crazy, but I had the 85 Dow vintage a few weeks ago and it paled in comparison to this at 4 times the price. This is drinking perfectly now - it still has the brilliant red fruit of youth, but it has also developed some quite lovely tertiary character. It is a true art to create a Port that does not taste too hot. Ok, some people like the fire, but not I, and this was beautifully tame, so it gets major points for that. Still bright and youthful yet quite warm and deep. Will remain at peak for a long time, as Ports tend to, so should still be drinking beautifully in another 10 years. Decanting is a must - this has thrown a very sludgy sediment. $30.

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General consensus favored the Rioja, as did I. I think I converted a few people to Txakolina with this pretty good example, though not as good as the widely available Ameztoi. Godello was a new experience for me, and one I hope to repeat. The Port showed extremely well and everyone left with a smile on their face!