EWG does Spanish Vino at Cobras and Matadors

Cobras and Matadors
Tasted Sunday, August 17, 2008 by WetRock with 495 views

Introduction

The Eastside Wine Group graciously allowed me to join them for a night of Spanish wines and tapas at Cobras and Matadors in Hollywood. We had a nice small group of 8 people familiar and semi familiar and nice lineup of wines that were all pretty good with a variety of styles. Cobras and Matadors took care of us with very good service and a nice variety of dishes which everyone found something to really enjoy.

Favorite wines for me are the Don Jacobo and the Termanthia which surprised me. The Jacobo was a more traditional if very young Rioja while the Termanthia surprised me with its balance and lack of blockbuster type characteristics. Also very good was the Naiades Verdejo and the A. Palacios Priorat.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2005 Bodegas Naia Rueda Naiades

    Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda

    Nose didn't give up a lot for me but the palate really shined here. Juicy citrus with a good amount of complexity and expression. A very nice surprise. Went back for more to enjoy with the lighter dishes.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1995 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Dill like American oak notes predominant on the nose. Soft feel and light tannins. I believe this saw some air before we got to it but being a Gran Reserva this probably needs more time to integrate that oak.

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  • 1995 Bodegas Corral Rioja Don Jacobo Gran Reserva

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    Nice elegant nose with some minerality. Richly big fruited and terrific strong acidity. This showed very nice concentration and great acidity. Drinks nice now but will go a long way in the cellar and probably best to leave it to add some complexity. A fav on the evening for me.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 2001 Quinta Quietud Toro

    Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

    Woody initially and very dry, plenty tannic. Seems tight and actually a bit astringent later on. Maybe a vigorous decant is best for this one now or just more time.

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  • 2001 Bodegas Altanza Rioja Lealtanza Reserva Seleccion

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Bit oaky on the nose, maybe American. Deep dark palate is a bit ripe and woody. Juicy and tannic a bit later on.
    -Took a quarter bottle home and finished over two days. Nose opens up some with some smoke over some ripe cherry and red berries. Palate thins out and the acidity starts to stand up, good tannins though the fruit is still on the thick side. I would put this away a couple more years as the 3rd day performance gives me good hope for this one.

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Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 2003 Bodega Numanthia Toro Termanthia

    Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

    Nothing but bacon on the nose. Palate showed terrific balance and good tannins with the fruit showing a bit tight. Probably better in a couple more years but after expecting a fleshy wine like the Numanthia this was a nice surprise where the fruit was nicely expressive on its own without big extraction and oak.

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  • 2004 Familia Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin Mas d'en Cacador

    Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

    Sweet tart type palate follows a ripe nose. Plenty of cherry and raisins, this was the most 'modern' styled wine of the night. Nice for what it was but kind of stood out in not the best way.

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