Spanish Tasting – 14/04/2012 – Janet’s house

All the wines were bought from Majestic Wine Warehouse, 39 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1QF.

No. / Name / Description / Marked Price / Discount Price
1 / Codorniu Seleccion Raventos NV / Grape: Chardonnay, MacaBeo, Xarel-l
A modern example of Cava from the Catalan region of Spain. The Codorníu family have been pioneers in the region since first producing Cava in 1872, and in 1985 incorporated Chardonnay into the blend of traditional grape varieties in order to make a more aromatic style.
Pale lemon golden coloured, with many streams of fine bubbles. Citrus aromas with peachy and lemon aromas and a full bodied, vibrant and fruit flavours and crisp mineral acidity.
Enjoy with a selection of canapés.
Style:Brut Alcohol 11.5% / 9.99 / 7.99
2 / Ruedo Blanco 2011, Marques de Riscal / Grape: Verdejo, Viura
From the eminent Rioja producer Marqués de Riscal, this is an intriguing white from the Verdejo grape. For a long time the sleeping beauty of the Rueda region, Verdejo is now increasingly popular in Spain.
A light, delicate white wine with an intensely aromatic bouquet and bursting with fruit on the palate. Well balanced with crisp acidity and a fresh finish.
Perfect with seafood or salads.
Alcohol 12.5% Decanter: Bronze / 8.49 / 6.79
3 / Vega de la Reina Verdejo 2010, Marques de la Concordia, Rueda / Grape: Verdejo,
Rueda is a small region within Castilla y León, famed for this delicate style of white wine. Verdejo is the predominant white variety here, and is an aromatic grape, often thought of as Spain's alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.
Lively aromas of greenery and citrus fruits in the Sauvignon vein, accompanied by softer, melon and petal touches. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, with a lemony zing.
A great wine to pair with summery lunchtime dishes, such as paella and other rice salads, or pasta dishes with mussels.
Alcohol 13.0% / 7.99 / 6.39
4 / Albarino Martin Codax 2010, Rias Baixas / Grape: Albarino
Founded in 1986 in the Rias Baixas region of Northwestern Spain, Martin Codax produces wine from the aromatic white Albariño grape. Similar to Viognier, the light and refreshing style, with a hint of sweetness, provides a refreshing alternative to Chardonnay.
Delicate peachy aromas with hints of spice, herbs and traces of sweet fruits, a fresh and crisp palate rounded by hints of honey, peaches and stone fruits, a medium body and with a floral finish.
Enjoy over the next two years as an apéritif or with grilled lobster.
Alcohol 13.0% / 11.99 / 9.59
5 / ‘El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa’ Old Vine Garnacha 2009, Navarra / Grape: Grenache
The traditionally bush-trained vines from this part of the Nekeas Valley are between 70 and 100 years old, and yield low numbers of high quality berries. The Atlantic influenceshere contribute to higher acidity, which lends balance to the quick-ripening Garnacha.
With excellent focus and structure, the wine displays intense, vibrant and fleshy blackberry and raspberry fruit, and ample tannins that add texture and a streak of bitter chocolate flavour.
Enjoyable on its own, but also benefits from being paired with a big, flame-grilled rib-eye steak.
Alcohol:14%. / 9.99 / 7.99
6 / Petalos Bierzo 2009, Descendientes de J. Palacios / Grape: Mencia
One of 9 children of the owner of Rioja house Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Alvaro Palacio has broken away from Rioja to pursue an independent winemaking philosophy. His holdings in Bierzo total only 30ha, spread across some 200 tiny, steeply-sloped vineyard sites.
A broad spectrum of aromas gradually emanate from the glass, with blackcurrant and cherry being joined by savoury clove and liquorice notes. Smooth yet muscular tannins and a long, drying finish.
An interesting alternative middleweight red, which will go well with full-flavoured pasta dishes, charcuterie and hard cheeses or game.
Alcohol:14.5%. / 15.99 / 12.79
7 / Emilo Moro 2007, Ribera del Duero / Grape: Tempranillo
Coming from a selection of vineyards between 15 and 25 years of age this wine spends 50% French and 50% American oak for 12 months prior to bottling. The Tempranillo clones are old and pure here, known as Tinto Fino.
Real intensity on the palate, with layers of concentrated blackberry, toasted herbs, smoke and vanilla. Full-bodied and a long length, the remarkably integrated, ripe tannins give a firm structure.
Enjoy now if you like modern interpretations of Tempranillo, or age over the following 6-8 years to soften the fruit and spices.
Alcohol:14%. / 16.99 / 13.59
8 / Vina Ardanza,Rioja Reserva Especial 2001, La Rioja Alta / Grape: Granache , Tempranillo
One of the very best of Rioja's produced from fruit exclusively grown in the bodega's 360 hectare vineyard holdings in the Rioja Alta region, and named after one of the Region's founding families. Remaining under family ownership, this is of the most sought-after bodegas.
Complex and perfumed primary and secondary aromas of earth, spice and red fruits with a long, elegantly structured medium weight body of spicy tannins and layers of flavour.
Enjoy over the next decade as the richness and power of the will soften to spice and earth, augmenting game casserole or wild duck.
Only 3 vintages of Vina Ardanza 1964, 1973 and 2001 have deserved the classification “Reserva Especial’ . A unique combination of rain, sun, cold and heat has created a superb wine.
94 Parker Points. Alcohol:13.5%. / 22.00 / 17.60
9 / Fino en Rama, Tio Pepe / Unfiltered, unclarified Tio Pepe bottled during Spring when the flor growth is at its thickest.