NEO Spain II Meetup

I was asked to lead a wine tasting on Spanish wines. The wines were chosen by the leader of the group whom did an excellent job in picking wines that represent good value. The group was decidedly non-wine geeky but enjoy wine and getting together with friends over wine. Hoers doeuvres were served along with the wines.

• NV Bodegas Matilde Cava Totus Tuus 88 Points

  Spain, Cava

  This has 40% Chardonnay, 18% Xarel-o, 18% Macabeo, 18% Parraellada, and 6% Pinot Noir. Very nice Cava that retails for $14 Ohio. The nose is smoky and crips with granny smith apples and burnt bread notes. This is full bodied, I think the Chard fatttens it up, but there is still a streak of acidity that makes this refreshing and crisp enough to handle most foods. Long finish. I was impressed with this and it still drinks young. Seems like a year to unwind would be kind to it.

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• 2008 Cortijo Rioja III Blanco 84 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  This wine was pleasant. Truthfully, for $10 Ohio, it was not bad. Mineral driven without much fruit. Some faint citrus (oranges mostly) on the nose. It is a bit flabby and slightly bitter on the finish. Probably would work well with lighter foods, but not something I would go out and buy. I wouldn't spill it out either.

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• 2007 Bodegas La Cartuja Priorat 90 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Pretty much the group's top wine (plurality decision) and certainly mine. It was unfortunately served out of order and I think it would have been better served at the end. The nose is tight with some raspberries and minerals but certainly aromatically challenged. On the palate, however, it is explosive and complex. At $15 Ohio, I doubt there are many wine from Priorat that present a greater value. This does need at least a year in the cellar or an hour in a decanter to really evolve but I think it will be good for 5 to 7 years in a good cellar. Definitely a buy.

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• 2008 Bodegas Enguera Valencia Pelta 83 Points

  Spain, Valencia

  Others liked this more than I. My real problem with it was that it was soft and innocuous. Just kind of boring. It had some sour cherry notes (Alice was spot on with the Sucrets). But the finish was short and there was just no there there. $9 Ohio, so it was priced fairly. Sure would be a safe party wine and better then the standard Cal Merlot at that price point.

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• 2008 Ludovicus Terra Alta Tinto 87 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Terra Alta

  Not as good as previous vintages, but still a very nice wine. There is some complexity and a slight amount of tannins. Mostly cherries and sour cherries but a nice floor of damp earth. $11 Ohio and I am a buyer at that price. I think it drinks well over the next two years. It has a good backbone of acidity and probably would be more interesting at the dinner table. Nice wine.

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• 2008 Vinos Sin-Ley Monastrell Yecla M5 89 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Yecla

  I liked this wine. Sure, it lacks some soul, but it has some earthy black raspberries that make it "cheap and easy". That's not always a bad thing. This will work with food but was probably the best "cocktail" wine of the night. At $13 Ohio, I guess, to continue the analogy, it is a cheap (but fun) date. I would drink this over the next year.

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