Featured Wines for December

December 1, 2019 · by ·

Marques de Caceres, Cava Brut, Catalonia, Spain$12

Marques de Caceres, Cava Brut, is a pale straw color revived by fine bubbles. There is a bouquet of citrus fruits with notes of brioche. It is charming and round in the mouth with a refreshing, balanced structure and a lively finish that highlights its fine bubbles. A festive toast! Alcohol: 12%

Caves Naveran Cava Brut Rose, Catalonia, Spain   $16

Caves Naveran, Cava Brut Rose has aromas of orange and vanilla that turn more burnt and smoky as this Pinot Noir-Parellada brut rosé opens up. The highly foamy mouthfeel carries rustic, spicy citrus flavors. This cava pairs well with salmon and other meaty fish. Alcohol: 12%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

October Featured Wines – 2016 Bodegas Avancia, Valdeorras Cuvée de O Godello, Galicia, Spain & 2013 Casa Los Frailes, Monastrell-Garnacha, Valencia, Spain

October 1, 2018 · by ·

2016 Bodegas Avancia, Valdeorras Cuvee de O Godello, Galicia, Spain                $18

This is 100% Godello grapes. It is a rich white that offers a thick, polished texture, with bright flavors of peach, tangerine and tarragon. Firm acidity is well-integrated, giving way to peach and mineral notes on the finish. This wine is from Jorge Ordonez Selections Drink now through 2024. A great seafood pairing. Alcohol: 13%

  2013 Casa Los Frailes, Monastrell-Garnacha, Valencia, Spain                                        $12

This Spanish red blends two indigenous grapes with very different profiles complementing each other to provide a very balance wine, pure expression of Mediterranean character. Monastrell is straight, fluid and long lasting, on the other side Garnacha variety is round, volume and sweet. The ageing of both grapes provides a great integration and complexity. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

April Featured Wines – 2015 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca & 2015 Herencia Altes, Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra, Catalonia, Spain

April 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, Catalonia, Spain $12

Terra Alta is not yet a well-known Spanish wine region – tucked away in the south eastern corner of Catalonia it borders Aragon and Valencia. Terra Alta is one of the largest areas in Catalonia under vine with plenty of old Garnatxa bush vines. Herencia Altes wines are known for quality and authenticity.

Made from Grenache Blanc grapes, this is a very aromatic white wine with notes of melon and white fruits on nose. On the palate it is balanced with a medium body and a nice crisp freshness. This pairs well with tapas and grilled seafood – scallops or shrimp. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

2015  Herencia Altes Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra, Catalonia, Spain $12

The grape used in this wine is what the Spanish winemakers call Garnatxa – a Spanish Grenache. The color is intense and lively with a core of garnet with a bright ruby rim. It has a stony minerality overlay black fruits and spice on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full bodied with luscious sweet fruit and soft tannins. Fresh berry fruit and toasty notes enrich the structure and natural complexity of the old vines. The winemaker says this is “A full and round sensation, to be enjoyed with grilled meat of all sorts.” Alcohol: 14.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , ,

August Featured Wines – 2014 Cune Monopole Viura & 2011 Cune Rioja Crianza, Rioja, Spain.

August 1, 2015 · by ·

Cune white

2014 Cune Monopole Viura, Rioja, Spain                            $15

The 2013 Monopole received a 90 rating from Wine Spectator and was ranked 64 in their 2014 Top 100 Wines so the prospects for the   latest vintage is very positive. This is a focused white which shows bright, juicy flavors of white peach and Meyer lemon, with herbal and mineral accents. The texture is quite rich, but crisp, citrusy acidity keeps this lively. This is a wine for sipping or can be a wonderful pairing with summer seafood.

Cune crianza

 2011 Cune Rioja Crianza, Rioja, Spain                              $15

2011 Cune Rioja Crianza is a smooth and supple Tempranillo. Crianza means it has been aged 2 years     with  at least 6 months in oak. This wine is clean and bright, with fresh red fruits, a hint of spice, lively acidity, balanced structure and a lingering finish. When I tasted this wine I had forgotten how delightful a good Crianza can be. This one would be great pairing for pulled pork or ribs.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , ,

Wines of the Month – 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca & 2012 Honoro Vera Merlot

February 1, 2014 · by ·

label from La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca from SomonTAno, Spain

2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, Somontano, Spain                  $15

This month the white we are offering, 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, is produced in Somontano in Northern Spain by Vinas Del Vero. This is a unique wine since the Garnacha Blanca is only cultivated in Spain and is not widely known. It is an aromatic wine with apple and citrus notes. On the palate this is a soft wine with a moderate, balanced acidity. It is a food friendly wine and an excellent pairing for spicy foods or simple grilled fish. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

label from Honoro Vera 2012 Merlot from Jumilla Spain

 

2012 Honoro Vera Merlot, Jumilla, Spain         $11

This wine is produced by Bodegas Juan Gil. We have offered several wines from this producer and find all to have great quality and value. Merlot is not a native grape in Spain but growing conditions in the Jumilla region are very favorable for the varietal. This 100% Merlot is an intense, juicy mouthful of red berry and blackberry. It has some spice and a smoky finish. This is also a versatile wine that pairs with pastas, soups and roasted or grilled meats. Alcohol: 15%

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Wines of the Month – 2011 La Cana Albarino & 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell

March 30, 2013 · by ·

Featured Wines for April – 2011 La Cana Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain & 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Label of La Cana Albarino

 

2011 La Cana Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain         $20

This wine is part of the Jorge Ordoñez  Selection. Ordoñez is one of the best ambassadors of Spanish wines in the world. He has developed his project of producing his own wines from different Spanish denominations of origin. They are wines of extraordinary quality and personality, particularly, Albariños from La Cana. This is a very cool white. The aromatics are white peach, pear, honey, apple and a curious ginger-like component. The mouth follows suit, with a bright citrus-lime acidity and a complex white fruit arrangement. There is good, palate-pleasing heft and weight, but it is not ponderous. Albarino is a great white when you want a switch from Sauvignon Blanc and still want complexity and depth. This is one of the better ones around. It’s from Rias Baixas in the northwest corner of Spain, north of Portugal. Use anytime you would pour a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

Label of Honoro Vera Monastrell from Spain

 

 

 

 2011 Honoro Vera Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain     $11

In Spain, Mourvedre is known as Monastrell or Mataro, and it is planted heavily on the southeastern Mediterranean coast, including the appellations of Jumila and Yecla. Good examples come from Bodegas Castano and Bodegas El Nido. This Monastrell is opaque ruby in color with aromas and flavors of cherry, licorice, black tea, with spice and violet accents.  It is spicy and energetic, finishing with zesty cut and good lingering sweetness.   You get no heat from this appealingly open-knit wine’s alcohol; it’s an outstanding value that pairs well with rustic fare like meat-based stews and roasts. Alcohol: 15%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , , ,

Wines of the Month – 2010 Shaya Verdejo & 2010 Rio Madre Graciano

October 25, 2012 · by ·

Featured wines for November are 2010 Shaya Verdejo from Rueda, Spain and 2010 Rio Madre Graciano from Rioja, Spain

 

2010 Shaya Verdejo Old Vines             $16

Wine label for Shaya Verdejo Old Vines white wine

This is a bright, green-tinged straw colored wine. Intense green apple, pear skin and lime aromas are complimented by white pepper and herbs. On the palate the wine is taut and refreshingly bitter, with attractive herbal and mineral accents to the ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors. Finishes clean and long, with an echoing peppery note. Alcohol 13.5%

 

 

 

2010 Rio Madre Graciano                       $13

Wine Label for Rio Madre Graciano Rioja winemakers use Graciano grapes to add a floral bouquet to many blends. Rarely has it been used on its own. It was discovered several years ago Bodegas y Llurce Rio Madre was producing estate owned grapes on 20 year old vines that could stand on their own. This wine is rich, savory and luscious and tastes like a cross between Grenache and Tempranillo.  The palate starts sweet and sappy with juicy red currant and blackberry fruit, good acidity then ends with a dash of spice sprinkled over the finish. Alcohol: 14%

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Wines of the Month— 2010 Deusa Nai Albarino & 2008 Marques de Caceres Crianza

August 7, 2012 · by ·

Featured wines for August are 2010 Deusa Nai Albarino and 2008 Marques de Caceres Crianza

 

 Marques de Caceres Deusa Nai Albarino,  Rias Baixas, Spain 2010

Label from Marques de Caceres Deusa Nai Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 201

Rias Baixas it the Spanish “Denominacion de Origen” (DO) for wines located in the Northwest region of Galicia, Spain. Albarino grapes are the most renown from this region. Deusa Nai clearly reflects true Albariño’s character. Thjis is a Limited production wine – just 6,600 cases. It has an attractive golden straw color with pale green highlights. The bouquet is fresh and fragrant with mineral notes mingling with a hint of grapefruit and mandarins. This wine has full flavor and refreshing acidity. Deusa Nai wines marry well with fish and seafood. It is ideal for sipping as an aperitif then serving with a meal. Alcohol: 13.5% $17.00

Marques de Caceres Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2008

label for Marques de Caceres Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2008Rioja is the DO for wines grown and produced in La Rioja in north central Spain. Most of the grapes grown in the region are Tempranillo and Garnacha. This is a rich, full-bodied wine made from 85% Tempranillo, and 15% Garnacha and Graciano grapes. Aging  in oak give this wine great depth. It has spicy aromas, berry fruit flavors and a velvety finish. There is a hint of roasted coffee and delicate spice. The balance is smooth and the tannins very soft. This wine needs to be opened an hour or so before drinking. It is a great pairing for grilled meats and hearty meals. Alcohol: 13% $14.00

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , , ,