A Journey Through Spain's Finest: Our Coque Experience
Madrid, Spain
Tasted Saturday, June 21, 2025 by HeavyPourWine with 86 views
Introduction
During our weeklong stay in Madrid, my wife Dio and I experienced what would become one of our top 5 meals ever at the 2-Michelin starred Coque. I had selected this restaurant specifically for their renowned wine program, and Dio was drawn to their creative menu approach. When offered the choice between their Armonia pairing (featuring traditional grapes) and Premium pairing (showcasing unique bottles), I chose the Premium option. What followed was an extraordinary culinary journey through six distinct locations within the restaurant, each offering unique courses paired with an exceptional selection of wines, cocktails, and spirits.
Flight 1 - Sparkling and Whites: A Continental Journey (8 Notes)
Opening with Spanish Cava and progressing through distinctive European whites, this flight showcased the restaurant's commitment to both traditional and innovative pairings...
Flight 2 - The Reds: From Australia to Spain's Crown Jewel (3 Notes)
This flight showcased the restaurant's international perspective before culminating with one of Spain's most legendary wines...
Flight 3 - Dessert Wines: Sweet Spanish Treasures and Portuguese Port (3 Notes)
The meal concluded with exceptional dessert wine pairings that showcased Spain's mastery of sweet wine production...
Closing
The entire Coque experience exceeded every expectation, earning its place among our top 5 meals ever. Beyond the wines, the journey through six distinct spaces - from the Cocktail Room and Macallan Room to the Wine Cellar, Sacristy, Kitchen, and finally the main Dining Room - created an immersive theatrical experience. The sommelier's extensive knowledge and passion elevated every pour, while the creative courses that didn't include wine (like the innovative beer pairing with pheasant tart and the theatrical chocolate finale with Macallan Rare Cask) demonstrated the restaurant's commitment to the complete beverage experience. The standout Vega-Sicilia Reserva Especial with suckling pig will remain one of the greatest wine and food pairings we've ever experienced.
2022 Roger Goulart Cava Brut 90 Points
Spain, Cava
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. The sommelier explained this Spanish sparkling wine is made similarly to Champagne but produced near Barcelona using the traditional Catalonian varieties Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Macabeo. Medium weight with nice character. Served in the wine cellar alongside Pedro Ximénez grapes on Parmesan cookies and Chanfaina de duelos y quebrantos (traditional Spanish appetizers on unleavened bread).
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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NV Osborne Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Solera Rare Oloroso 91 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. Directly from the barrel and poured ceremonially using a venencia in the Sacristy room dedicated to Jerez wines. The sommelier explained this unique style can only be made in Spain and features beautiful saltiness. Slight alcohol presence on the nose. Served with wild bull steak tartare in old mustard sauce and fresh cured beef with aged vinegar.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Héritage Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. The sommelier detailed this as the latest release from the prestigious Maison in Reims, made with 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay (note: these are different than the percentages provided on the LP's website). Aged approximately 8 years with 6 grams per liter dosage, using over 50% grand cru villages. Light and fresh with lovely almond notes. Opened the premium wine pairing beautifully and created an exceptional match with the baked potato dish featuring cherry tomatoes and potato foam.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2022 Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. This premier cru Chardonnay from the historic village of Chassagne-Montrachet was produced by Fontaine-Gagnard. Full-bodied with a lovely melon nose and medium acidity. Paired excellently with the lamb tartare with 15th century Arabian soup and the Adafina of suckling lamb with romaine lettuce and white chickpeas.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2022 Ossian Capitel 91 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. The sommelier described this as one of Spain's most prestigious wines using the local Verdejo variety from Segovia, close to Madrid. Produced at high altitude (1000 meters) in Nieva village, where some vines are 200 years old. Made from just 1.5 hectares of the Peña Aguda variety. Coravin pour. Grassy and herby character that the sommelier compared to a hybrid between Pouilly-Fumé and Pouilly-Fuissé, with slate soil contributing wet stone minerality. Excellent pairing with the Brouet de madame vegetable course featuring green peas and courgette in a sauce made with milk, pine nuts, and ham stock.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2019 Pazo de Barrantes Albariño Rías Baixas La Comtesse 92 Points
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. The sommelier explained this as potentially one of the top Albariño wines in Spain, from the coastal Galicia region in Rías Baixas. This exclusive La Comtesse bottling undergoes triple aging: first year in 3000-liter French oak vats, then concrete egg, then one additional year in bottle before release. The sommelier emphasized Albariño's natural affinity with seafood due to the vines' proximity to rivers and ocean. Darker in color than the South African Chenin Blanc served alongside. Paired with beet tartare.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2023 Mullineux Chenin Blanc Schist 94 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. The sommelier praised Andrea Mullineux as one of South Africa's finest winemakers. This wine from the coastal Swartland region is 100% Chenin Blanc grown on schist soil, with the label referencing the ancient salts visible in the vineyard. Bright, light melon character with neutral aromatics but exceptional mouth feel. Best white wine of the meal. Excellent pairing with the zucchini blossom dish stuffed with cheese and finished with wild mushrooms.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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1964 Bodegas Toro Albalá Marqués de Poley Amontillado Selección 88 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles
Experience at 2-Michelin starred Coque in Madrid. Immediate alcohol and sherry nose - quite powerful. My least favorite wine of the meal paired with my least favorite course (old pickled leek Madrid style with oregano, caraway, coriander, and morel mushroom stew with port and foie). While not my personal preference, the wine showed better with the dish than on its own.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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