Spain, etc., with MB

De Tapas Restaurant, Dallas, Texas
Tasted Wednesday, January 10, 2007 by win with 1,657 views

Introduction

Monthly tasting--this time exploring Spanish wines, for the most part.

Flight 1 - Tapas -- very good and very authentic (5 Notes)

Jamon Serrano—Serrano ham; Morcilla Frita—Fried blood sausage; Rabo de Toro—Ox tail stew; Plato de Fiambres—Plate of cured meats; Plato de Quesos—Plate of Spanish cheeses; Aceitunas con Anchoa—Anchovies stuffed olives; Calamares Fritos—Fried calamari

  • 1999 Autréau de Champillon Champagne Grand Cru Les Perles de la Dhuy 90 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Initially, this wine started fairly tart, showing nice acidity on the finish—almost too crisp. I let it settle down for an hour, and the wine started to open up, exhibiting a slight floral character, with a background of toasted honey. I came to really enjoyed the wine, and it worked well as a palette cleanser for the night.

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  • 2005 Vina Somoza Valdeorras Selección 88 Points

    Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras

    Started with aromas of dried cedar, and had a very NW nose—but what followed was crisp acidity and tartness. A bit confusing, but interesting. Tanzer references that this wine saw quite a bit of time in large oak casks. The wood component was very prevalent in the aroma, but it did not linger on the mid-palette nor finish.

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  • 2004 Bodegas Naia Rueda Naiades 91 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda

    Very nice floral aromas that did not overwhelm—I believe this wine was based on Sauvignon Blanc. This was followed by light honey on the palette—really reminded me of something from the Loire Valley. Very enjoyable.

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  • 2005 Quinta do Feital Vinho Regional Minho Auratus 89 Points

    Portugal, Minho, Vinho Regional Minho

    Nice Alvarinho, with a light golden color to it. Aromas involved sweet plums and some apricots, but for some reason I found this wine a bit backward. Aromas were followed by aged fruit and flowering leeche, and the finish was very clean.

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  • 2005 Bodegas Itsasmendi Bizkaiko Txakolina 85 Points

    Spain, País Vasco, Bizkaiko Txakolina

    Very light wine.

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Flight 2 - Main Course. A second main course would have been pleasant, but I was cut off. (14 Notes)

Leg of Lamb with fried potatoes. Very enjoyable.

Flight 3 - Bonus (1 Note)

Always good to have more wine.

  • 2001 Antinori Solaia 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Bonus wine, opened and consumed immediately as the last wine of the night. Very present oak and vanilla aroma, but the overall flavors were a bit muted. I really believe that we did not give this wine enough time to open up. Too young and it may be closed right now. Definitely hold. But, with that said, the potential is obviously there and I’m glad it was opened. Definitely 90+ someday.

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