CES Lab Wine Tasting #3

Spain

• NV Emilio Lustau Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda Papirusa 92 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda

  Smells of whiskey or other hard liquour with straw color (maybe slightly oxidized after bottling). None in our group had tasted this type of wine before, and it was quite a sensation. Surprising taste that is very dry. Warm in the mouth, but not hot like liquor. Nuts and crackers on the palate. Very long and complex, and the flavors continue to build from beginning to end. Really enjoyable wine at a low price. Goes well with strong Spanish hard cheeses.
  
  Note on bottle age: Since Sherry is aged using a solera process there is no vintage associated with the wine. However, there are lot numbers printed on the bottles, which can be deciphered using the example of the wine I drank. For Lustau, the lot number is ink-printed on the back label using 4 digits after the letter L. The first number represents the year of bottling, and the last three numbers represent the day of the year. Mine was L6080, meaning it was bottled in 2006 on the 80th day of the year. I've heard that in general that these types of Sherry should be consumed rather soon after bottling. Jancis Robinson suggested generally within 6 months of bottling on a winelibrary.tv video with GV, and another website recommended within 18 months of bottling. So the bottle consumed here may have been slightly past its prime.

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• 2006 Pazo de Señoráns Albariño Rías Baixas 88 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  Light and crisp with tastes of tripical fruits and nice acidity. Not very complex, long, or unique. Would be good on a summer day served well chilled.

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• 2005 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza 91 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Decanted for several hours before drinking. Lots of oak and spice on the nose and palate. Strong tannins left. Has good potential for aging and seems well balanced with length of 20-25 secs. Drank as the first in a series of 7 Spanish wines ranted 92+. This wasn't a standout, but was still solid.

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• 2000 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Decanted before drinking, but didn't aerate for a long time. Oak and spice on the nose. Drank as the second wine in a Spanish tasting of reds rated 92+. Similar in taste to a Condado de Haza, but with a more mellow and integrated profile (this one was 5 years older). Smooth and concentrated, well integrated tannins with good balance between oak, acid, and dark fruits with chocolate. This was one of my favorite wines of the night, although not so much for the rest of the group who went for the more concentrated styles. Can see this wine continuing to improve a bit with age, but probably won't get much better after 5-8 years.

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• 2005 Artadi Viñas de Gain 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Decanted for several hours before drinking. Was tasted along with 7 other Spanish reds rated 92+, and this seemed to be one of the standouts for the other tasters (although I personally didn't think it was all that great). Has much more fruit in the profile than the other wines, with more subtle oak and less tannins/structure. Flavors include blueberry and grape juice. Fairly smooth and not particularly long or complex.

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• 2000 Bodegas Valduero Ribera del Duero Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Decanted once before drinking, but didn't aerate long. Lots of oak on the nose and palate. Reminded me a bit of a Silver Oak or Opus One for a lot less money. Tastes include spice, carrot cake, vanilla, and coffee. Nine year old wine that still had a lot of fruit and tannins left. Tried this as part of a tasting that included 7 other Spanish reds rated 92+ and this held its own nicely.

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• 2001 Bodegas Pintia Toro Pintia 94 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  Decanted before drinking, and aerated about 1 hour. Smells of black olives and licorice. Dark color (almost opaque) and taste. Very concentrated flavors, and despite the somewhat bitter smells, it was not bitter on the palate. Has lots of life left with tannins and fruit still predominant. I would guess this could continue to age for many years. Drank as part of a Spanish tasting that included 7 other red wines rated 92+ and this was a standout. Unique taste profile, concentrated, bold, well balanced, not too much oak and lots of continued aging potential.

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• 2006 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio 94 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  Decanted before drinking and aerated for a couple of hours. Consumed last in a tasting of Spanish red wines rated 92+, and this was a clear standout. This is a bomb, with so much concentrated dark fruits and oak that it could be too much for some. Stewed plums on the nose. Flavors include baking spices, carrot cake, coconut (although not as much as in the 2005) and a touch of tobacco. Long palate (~45 secs) and fairly complex, which should improve with age. A bit lopsided on the balance with lots of oak, but seems to have enough fruit and tannins to hold up. Could use a bit more acidity as it was on the verge of being jammy. Seems to have lots of aging potential though.

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• 2005 Bodegas Almanseñas Almansa La Huella de Adaras 89 Points

  Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Almansa

  I can't say this was tasted in a very methodical way since we were using it to practice technique with a Spanish porron... However, I was surprised with it's concentration and nice balance between fruits and oak. Not over the top and doesn't pretend to be someting bigger than what it is--an everyday drinker with a good QPR.

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• NV Bodegas Dios Baco Pedro Ximénez 87 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

  Dark in color and very thick, like used motor oil. Raisins on the nose and palate. Very rich and sticky sweet--cloying. Would be good as a syrup over vanilla ice cream, but too sweet and not enough acid or complexity for my taste.

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