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David Bowler Spanish Tasting - (will be) LOOOONG
Tasted June 27, 2007 - July 3, 2007 by Mlermontov with 1,562 views
Introduction
The notes are coming - i promise - just a bit slower than i wanted. so i decided to post just the 2 producers that i felt are a MUST TRY/BUY
the tasting overall did point out the fact that i myself am starting to lean away from the modern spain and closer to what Italy is doing, but when one tastes a trully well made wine that is able to combine the lovely "modern" fruit with the "traditional" acidity and stucture - its just beautifull... there is so much potential here that i wouldnt turn away - one must continue tasting and seeking - lots of great wines to be discovered.
Then there is Sherry, or in this case tryllu the fortified wines of Montilla - way too underrepresented in USA. All the wines in Montilla are made from PX - the dry, and the sweet. this is the PX kingdom and often winemakers from Jerez buy PX here for thier own wines.
These wines are also some of the most amazing QPRs in addition to being perfect deck/appetizer wines (and dessert..or rather instead of dessert or on top of dessert).
anyway i promise the rest of the TNs are coming soon
Flight 1 (4 notes)
Red
2005 Daniel Esposito Utiel-Requena Madurado Barrica
87 points
40% bobal/40 Cab S/20 syrah
Rustic and ripe, good fruit, interesting
Rustic and ripe, good fruit, interesting
Red
2004 Daniel Esposito Utiel-Requena Crianza
88 points
40% bobal/ 40 Cab S / 20 Temp. 50% new oak
lighter, dryer, more integrated and balanced. Nice!
lighter, dryer, more integrated and balanced. Nice!
Red
N.V. Daniel Esposito Utiel-Requena Arte Mayor Tinto
89 points
blen of '02, '03 and '04. More strusture, more restrained fruit, very good finish. this needs time and if the tannins subside this will be very nice indeed. QPR
Red
2004 Pagos Del Molino Utiel-Requena Arras de Bobal
90 points
not a cheap srinker, but this is a serious wine and perhaps deserves a higher score. Restrained middle, rush of ssweet fruit, balanced, very tannic now - but needs time, this can become excellent
Flight 2 (4 notes)
White
2006 Castro de Lobarzan Monterrei
88 points
Godello & Treixadura blend. Crisp, minerality, nice citrusy fruit in the middle. lovely summer white
Red
2005 Adegas Ladario Monterrei Barrica
88 points
more intense, deeper, still rustic but very interesting
Flight 3 (8 notes)
Red
2005 Crianzas y Viñedos Santo Cristo Campo de Borja Verasol Tinto
85 points
rich, sweet, ultra -ripe. good fruit but boring
Rosé
2006 Crianzas y Viñedos Santo Cristo Campo de Borja Verasol Rose
86 points
clean nose of strawberry, bit of RS, slightly fat but fun
Red
2004 Enológica Temera Ribeira Sacra Themera VV
89 points
rich, good fruit, bit of oak - but it looks like it needs time anyway, if this develops as it promises to it will be an excellent wine and a great value
Red
2005 Vinyes i Vins Ca Sa Padrina Binissalem-Mallorca Mantenegro
88 points
Ripe red fruit, lots of fun flavors, but its oaky and too modern for me.
Red
2005 Bodegas y Viñedos de Murcia Jumilla Caracol Serrano
83 points
sweet, too ripe, rs? dont get it...
Red
2004 Bodegas Peique Bierzo Peique VV
87 points
better - has structure and balance, the tannins are on the drying side. will be nice if it "relaxes"
Red
2003 Bodegas Peique Bierzo Seleccion Familiar
89 points
blanced, rich fruit but with structure, oak and tannins on the high side for now. give this time. sadly not a qpr but if it fills out may be a very nice wine.
Flight 4 - Rioja (4 notes)
Red
1996 Bodegas Saenz de Santamaria Rioja Rondan Reserva
90 points
a steal. leather and spice nose, traditional, light bodied, excellent food wine - this is a chance to grab a 10 yearold rioja for $25. a no-brainer
Red
2006 Bodegas Altún Rioja Albiker Joven
88 points
ripe, sweet fruit, oak, vanilla, not bad but a bit too ripe for me
Red
2004 Bodegas Altún Rioja Crianza
89 points
needs time- good flavors and structure - modern but very well made Rioja
Red
2001 Bodegas Altún Rioja Reserva
91 points
modern wine from an excellent vintage and a serious winemaker - this is very worthwhile. needs age.
Flight 5 - Hermanos Pecina (4 notes)
the bodega opened in '92....and is making TRUE traditional Rioka - who would have known right? the vines are still young but the WINES are already kicking serious bottoms. The man does know what he is doing - he worked for many years for a well known traditional producer. these wines are a steal - dont pass them up, and watch for the new vintages (the '01 is not yet released)
Red
2005 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Joven
88 points
tasting this before getting to the good stuff ahead i already smelled something diff. the nore reads: "clean, ripe fruit, good body - is this a traditional wine maker??"
for a virtually barrrel sample as Rioja goes - this is very good. and at the price - a must try!
for a virtually barrrel sample as Rioja goes - this is very good. and at the price - a must try!
Red
2000 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Crianza
90 points
Tradition! think opening notes of Fidler on the Roof here... after so many "new world" (which is not bad just different) wines, a whif of this just takes you away to a diff place. leather, ripe cherry - this is not DRY, nor is it sweet. this is a producer to watch - BIG TIME! amazing job here and on the other wines.
Red
1999 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Reserva
91 points
nice ripe core of fruit, covered with traditional leather and dusty notes, some iron notes as well, spicy - this is Rioja!
Red
1998 Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Señorío de P. Peciña Gran Reserva
91 points
Riper fruit, great leather notes, clean long finish with a touch of spice - this is a steal!
Flight 6 - Bodegas Montebaco (4 notes)
From the hands of Cesar Munoz. These are modern wines made with serious care and talent. Excellent job and very affordable (for now)
White
2006 Bodegas Montebaco Rueda Montebaco Verdejo
89 points
probably the best Verdejo today, and perhaps best white (not including sherry)
nice light green grassy notes, good middle full of tropical fruit but without getting sweet, clean dry finish. a pleasure.
nice light green grassy notes, good middle full of tropical fruit but without getting sweet, clean dry finish. a pleasure.
Red
2004 Bodegas Montebaco Ribera del Duero Semele Crianza
88 points
10% merlot, modern, slightly oaky now, good fruit in the middle, tannins a bit drying - will this improve with a bit of time?
Red
2004 Bodegas Montebaco Ribera del Duero Montebaco Crianza
89 points
needs time, excellent fruit and structure, a touch of bitter edge on finish. needs to develop but has potential
Red
2004 Bodegas Montebaco Ribera del Duero Montebaco VS
91 points
this is the special selection made only in good years. a baby now thus almoust impossible to say much. Richer, more power, more complex, less of that bitter edge, good structure - give this a LOT of time. well balanced
Flight 7 - Vinos de Terrunos (4 notes)
Special project - very modern wines - modern in style, in package - the whole 9 yeards. priced well for the market and should be fun for those who like the style
Red
2005 Vinos de Terrunos Navarra Siete 7
87 points
Jay Miller 89 points..it may be a good qpr.. but to me its too modern and ripe. nothing sticks out - balanced ripe sweet fruit, not over oaked..just not inspiring.
Red
2005 Vinos de Terrunos Yecla Esencia de Monte
87 points
J Miller 90. same notes as above - ripe, rich, nothing sticks out. wpr for sure..but does wow me
Red
2003 Vinos de Terrunos Jumilla La Milla
89 points
J miller 91. yes this is still modern, sweet and ripe BUT there is some fun stuff here - structure shows (needs time), yes its a bit hot now, but there are layers absent in the previous 2. i'd get this to see how it develops
Red
2004 Vinos de Terrunos Ribera del Duero Raices de Aza
89 points
JM 92, perhaps needs more time, its got power, decent structure and ripe fruit..but the price is double of the previous wines. this is for the "New world" guys
Flight 8 (5 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2005 Castelblanch Cristal Alicante Cristal-Li Dulce
88 points
fresh grapes, light sweet nose, decent middle, apple pie on the finish. fun and light dessert wine
White - Sparkling
N.V. Cheste Agraria Cooperativa Vinícola Valencia Reymos
86 points
ultimatly GULPable - think Asti SPumante - lightly sweet, with more grapy smell/taste than asti - a perfect party alternative
White - Fortified
N.V. Herederos de Argüeso Manzanilla San León Clásica
82 points
light nose, yeasty, zero body, too light and lean
Red
2001 Primitivo Quiles Alicante Raspay Reserva
89 points
this is as unique as they get, red, lightly oxydised, with powerfull nose and a light middle that finishes of with a touch of a sweet note...cant compare to anything else..
Red
N.V. Primitivo Quiles Alicante Fondillon Solera 1948
90 points
nutty, lightly sweet, a mix of sherry and tawny port? but this is lighter, very intriguing - but hard to judge
Flight 9 - Perez Parquero (8 notes)
Chatting with Rafael - one could forget about the rest of the tasting. Trully a man who loves and known these wines. The 1905 collection are SINGLE VINTAGE wines.. WOW... price is high but then again - these are unique to say the least.
the Gran Barquero line are amazing QPRs - both in Spain and in our $$. and 100% worth trying. Excellent job here!
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles Gran Barquero Fino
88 points
yeasty, nuttier than regular fino, salty, tough richer/wide than wines of Jerez, mouthfilling, long finish. YUM!
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles Gran Barquero Amontillado
90 points
in Montilla - the Amontillado better shine! and does it! lighly nutty nose, salty touch as well, bit rough at the start (needs air) but the middle..OMG - salty, screaming with acidity and olive-like flavor, this is perfect deck/tapas wine! very very good
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles Gran Barquero Oloroso
86 points
light nose, rich and dry wine, touch of figs, slight rs, nutty.. nice
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles Gran Barquero PX
92 points
nutty, very rich nose of figs/raisins/ sweet and motor oil consitency, delicious!
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles La Canada PX
94 points
Nuttier, richer, amazingly less sweet, with more pronounced acidity. Orange/citrus marmelade touches, slill layers of figs and sweet prunes, this is worth the $$
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles 1905 Solera Amontillado
96 points
yeah... 1905.. amontillado..from Montilla... not too many things in life are better than this!...salty, nutty, literally explodes in your mouth, screams acidity and power. finish doesn not end. period. tha price tag is as long as the finish. but hey - this is a VINTAGE 1905 wine..
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles 1905 Solera Oloroso
92 points
light, laser of acidity, very nice finish..but bit underwhelming. lots of good stuff here but the price is a bit too high for what you are getting.
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Comment
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Pérez Barquero Montilla-Moriles 1905 Solera PX
98 points
11% alc, jello consistancy, Spains answer to Essencia, this is ridiculously good - all the rich figs/raisins/prunes, add to that oranges and mandarine marmelade...its a wow...
also - adding amontillado to the remains of this was SOOOOOO good! its called Abocado - and i think i have to try doing this with some PX
also - adding amontillado to the remains of this was SOOOOOO good! its called Abocado - and i think i have to try doing this with some PX
Closing
thanks again to David for a wonderfull tasting and for bringing these wines to our market (soon i hope!)