Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Rivola is brilliant ruby in color with violet highlights. On the nose, the wine is fresh and generously fruity, with impressions of ripe raspberries, strawberries and wild cherries offset by notes of jasmine, spice and mint. The fragrance is confirmed on the palate, which is mellow, fresh and succulent, supported by clean, subtle, sweetly ripe tannins ending in a silky, elegant finish.
Red Wine by Alto Moncayo from Spain. The estate's mid-level effort is the fairly priced Alto Moncayo. This wine is spectacular, and represents the perfect foil for grilled steak. Even richer, fuller, and more muscular than the 2003, with riveting intensity and palate staining extract, the 2004 Alto Moncayo is inky/purple, full-bodied, and rich. This pedal-to-the-metal offering should age handsomely for a decade. -Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Alto Moncayo from Spain. Dark purple. The nose offers surreal, room-filling perfume of ripe raspberry, blackberry, incense, vanilla and dried flowers. Shockingly understated on the palate, with vibrant red berry, smoked meat and baking spice flavors, silky tannins and crisp mineral bite. There's no excess fat or sweetness here. Finishes with palate-staining intensity and superb focus. I'd love to see this lined up with some mega-bucks Napa cult wines costing twice the price of this admittedly luxe-priced bottle. If you play in this sandbox, you'll flip. -International Wine Cellar The 2005 Aquilon has a splendid perfume of slate, violets, and cherry compote. There is beautiful integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, a smooth texture, layers of flavor, and exceptional length. There is enough structure to support 6-8 years of cellaring and it will provide pleasure through 2030. -Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Alto Moncayo from Spain. Inky purple. A heady bouquet evokes ripe red berries, anise, mocha and pungent fresh flowers. Supple and sweet on entry, then more structured in the middle, offering deep, mineral-accented dried strawberry and cherry liqueur flavors. Takes a spicy turn on the long, sappy finish, which echoes the pure red berry qualities. The oak (all new) is almost shockingly understated, perhaps thanks to the reported four-year aging of the staves. -International Wine Cellar The 2005 Alto Moncayo Veraton is 100% Garnacha aged in new French and American oak for 17 months. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits an alluring nose of toasty new oak, mineral, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a wine bordering on opulence, with layers of fruit, some structure, and a long, pure finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. -Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Bodegas Castano from Spain. 100% Monastrell. Bodegas Castano has long been an advocate of the Monastrell varietal in the zone and its use has increased in other bodegas as a result. Known as Mourvedre in France and other parts of the world, the varietal is perhaps best known for its influence on the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where the terroir and climate is not dissimilar to that of Yecla with both benefiting from a very warm, Mediterranean climate with warm days and nights. The 2004 Hecula is a single vineyard selection of 100% Monastrell, 50% tank aged and 50% aged in French oak. It is slightly less ebullient but more serious than its younger sibling. Exhibiting aromas of toasty black fruits with milk chocolate in the background, this is a super-rich effort with terrific depth and concentration for its humble price. It is a remarkable value for drinking over the next few years. -The Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Bodegas Castano from Spain. Excellent example of the Monastrell grape in its early years. Intense aromas of black fruit (plums) and less ripe red fruit (cranberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). On the palate it is fruity and fresh, and alive with tannins which leaves a pleasant aftertaste. The 2005 Monastrell is an insane value produced from three vineyard sites ranging in age from 40-60 years. Opaque purple-colored, it gives up fragrant aromas of blue fruits, plums, and prunes. Ripe, layered, and full-flavored, this hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will surely evolve for 2-3 years. Match it with beef and lamb. -The Wine Advocate
1 cent shipping ends 2/21. Promo code and details at Wine.com.Red Wine by Bodegas El Nido from Spain. The inky purple 2003 El Nido, which comes from 26-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines (70%) and 61-year-old Mourvedre (30%), was aged 26 months in new French and American oak barrels. It exhibits leathery, creme de cassis, and pain grille characteristics, additional tannin and body, and a formidable palate. A wine of extraordinary extract and richness, it will be a target for old timers and reactionaries who will feel it is too internationally styled, but it is an eye-opening wine from an area better known for large cooperatives and mediocre quality. It should evolve for 15 or more years. Well-known Australian winemaker, Chris Ringland, oversees the winemaking at this estate, fashioning intriguing reds with great depth as well as richness. These wines have broken all the parameters previously established by the backwater appellation of Jumilla. -Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza from Rioja, Spain. This single vineyard, estate-bottled, unfiltered Rioja is given an unusual upbringing of one year in tank followed by two years in French and American oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Its dense ruby/purple hue is accompanied by sweet aromas of cherries, currants, licorice, and smoky oak. A supple texture is somewhat deceiving as there is plenty of tannin beneath the wine's full-bodied richness and intensity. Beautiful purity and overall harmony suggest a balanced and long life. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 94 Points
Red Wine by Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil from Spain. 100% Monastrell from 45 year old vines. Deep violet. Aromas of blackcurrant, black tea, black berry, smoke. Very chewy and rich with good framing tannins and minerality. A serious effort, the 2004 Juan Gil is fashioned from 45-year-old Mourvedre vines and is aged for 12 months in American and French oak. This rich, full-bodied, inky/purple-tinged cuvee exhibits aromas of scorched earth, blueberries, licorice, and pepper, a savory, layered texture, and remarkable opulence for a Mourvedre. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. The Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Borsao from Spain. Refined nose of red fruit with a hint of blueberry. Spicy with vibrant acidity. Has a sense of both elegance and verve. Great food wine. Slightly more intense than the Vina Borgia (and priced $2 higher) is the 2005 Borsao, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Tempranillo. This stainless steel-fermented, deep ruby-hued effort displays plenty of sweet black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry fruit, a hint of black currants, medium body, silky tannin, and wonderful ripeness. The word is "BUY!" Drink it over the next year. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Borsao from Spain. Robert Parker, Jr. has referred to this 100% old-vine Garnacha in past vintages as cherry pie in a glass with deep ruby color, aromas and flavors of kirsch liquer, licorice, garrigue, and plums. The grapes for this wine were harvested from vineyards that cling to rugged terrain on the slopes of the famous Moncayo Mountain with low yields of less than 2 tons per acre.
1 cent shipping through June 15th. Details at wine. comRed Wine by Celler Marti Fabra from Spain. The compelling 2003 Masia Carreras is a blend of primarily Grenache and Carignan with tiny dollops of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. The Grenache and Carignan come from 50- to 80-year-old vineyards. The wine was aged 18 months in French oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. A great expression of the appellation, it reveals terrific minerality along with wonderfully projected, even flamboyant sweet red and black fruits interwoven with notions of flowers and graphite. Deep purple-hued, rich, full-bodied, stunningly pure, and well-textured, this beauty can be drunk over the next 10-12 years. -Wine Advocate
Non-Vintage by Jaume Serra Cristalino from Spain. Straw color, smooth and fresh aromas; fine and fruity palate with a dry aftertaste. Clean, dry and crisp with citrus and apple flavors. Wondering what happened to the original Cristalino Gold Label? Cristalino started 2011 with a facelift and updated its packaging, but don't worry it's still the same great Cava you've always loved.
Ros? by Jaume Serra Cristalino from Spain. 60% Pinot Nior, 40% Trepat Beautiful scents of raspberry and cherry on the nose with fresh, clean strawberry and cherry flavors in the mouth and a consistent bead. The finish is clean and crisp and invites another sip. Cristalino Brut Rose Cava is an excellent match for fried appetizers such as calamari or light desserts such as creme brulee. It is also excellent on its own or with fresh fruit. Did you get a bottle with a gold label rather than this white label? No worries, it's still the same great Cava. Cristalino is undergoing a label change and released some bottles with the original packaging and some with the white label packaging.
Red Wine by Cune from Rioja, Spain. Grape Varieties: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha Full, morello cherry, ruby red, good intensity. Ripe autumn red and purple fruit, raspberries, damsons and sloes over a fine toasty vanilla complexity. Rich, deep and balanced. Well structured on the palate with plenty of fine, lingering rich fruit and a lively note of tannin. The finish is elegant and long with good balancing acidity.
Red Wine by Finca Luzon from Spain. This wine has a dark, inky, blood like color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, and subtle floral qualities linger on the nose. On the palate, this is a full bodied, dark, rich wine. Wild berries, chocolate, vanilla and licorice all blend together for a complex character and a long finish.
Red Wine by Hacienda Monasterio from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Hacienda Monasterio is owned by Carlos del Rio whose family has been in the sherry business for decades. Being fortunate enough to own some prime, south-facing parcels on the right side of the river, Carlos hired Peter Sisseck, the owner/winemaker of the famed Ribera estate Pingus to take over the winemaking in 1995. Peter has helped to turn this old estate into a Ribera powerhouse with wines that can age for years. 80% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, all aged for 20 months in French Oak before release. Deep ruby. Explosive, sexy aromas of cherry, plum, incense, freshly ground coffee and succulent herbs. Focused and deep, with red and dark berry flavors complicated by candied violet, smoky bacon and cracked pepper. A ripe, weighty wine with a dense, chewy texture and compelling freshness, especially for the year. Finishes with a note of sweet cherry preserves, fine tannins and excellent length. -International Wine Cellar
Standard shipping until noon 12/19, arriving by 12/22. White Wine by Hermanos del Villar from Spain. 60% Verdejo, 40% Viura. Bright and refreshing flavors of melon, peach and citrus. From old vines. Great value.
Red Wine by Julian Chivite from Navarra, Spain. Bright and cherry red in color, aromas of fruit, oak, and spice, soft in the mouth with notes of burnt toast. Blend: 70% Tempranillo, 25% Grenache, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine by Marquis Philips from McLaren Vale, Australia. This wine was 100% barrel fermented in new and 1 year old oak (30% French, 70% American oak.) and barrel matured for 12 months. The 2005 wines show generous and concentrated fruit and this Cabernet is a great example with its flavors of blueberries and cassis. It has silky, smooth tannins resulting from utilizing age-old cap management techniques. The wine shows some cedary, cigar box oak influence along with its bold fruit expression. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 Cabernet receives a similar wood treatment to the Merlot, resulting in a big, thick, juicy, fresh, classic South Australian red offering bold, exuberant, blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with striking vanillin and pain grille characteristics. With superb texture as well as a full-bodied, powerful finish, this amazing Cabernet should drink well for 4-5 years. - The Wine Advocate
Red Wine by Marti Fabra from Spain. Aged 10 months in French oak, the unfined/unfiltered 2003 Marti Fabra Seleccio Vinyes Velles (70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Tempranillo, and equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a rich, sweet perfume of black cherries and earth, an elegant attack, medium to full body, good depth as well as ripeness, and a long finish. Marti Fabra, a newcomer to the increasingly interesting Spanish wine scene, is located in an appellation that is revealing wonderful potential with its old vine Grenache and Carignan as well as its newer plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo. -Wine Advocate
Non-Vintage by Montsarra from Spain. A pale, sparkling wine with lasting bubbles and a crisp finish. The bouquet is fruity and vigorous. Extremely refreshing: an ideal aperitif! This sprightly cava is made with a blend of three grape varieties - Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada - all carefully selected fron the Montsarra vineyard in the Penedes region of Spain.
Red Wine by Nekeas from Navarra, Spain. The dark ruby-hued Vegas Sindoa Cabernet-Tempranillo displays a soft, up-front, fruit-driven style, abundant amounts of herb-tinged, black cherry fruit, medium body, and a pleasant finish- Wine Advocate, 86 points
Red Wine by Onix from Priorat, Spain. This surely must be the best value from the pricey D.O. of Priorat as well as one of the great deals in this Spanish report. The unoaked 2005 Onix is the best vintage of this wine to date, a blend of old-vine (average age 55 years) Garnacha and Carinena. The wine has a lovely nose of mineral and ripe cherries, nicely layered and intensely flavored, with a lengthy finish. This is one to buy by the case! -Wine Advocate
Non-Vintage by Segura Viudas from Spain. Like a rich Chardonnay with bubbles, this limited production Cava rests on an authentic pewter base and comes in a handsome hand-blown bottle emblazoned with a metal crest of the Segura Viudas family.
Non-Vintage by Segura Viudas from Spain. Aria Estate Brut is a dry, lively refreshment appropriate for any occasion. Its flavor is dominated by fresh pineapple, almonds, honey and straw, with hints of pears and fresh bread.
Non-Vintage by Segura Viudas from Spain. Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, created from a blend of reserve and non-vintage wines, is clean and delicate, yet rich in flavor. Brut Reserva is a cuvee of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes grown in the renowned Penedes region of Spain. The wine is vinified according to methode champenoise technique and is aged in the bottle for up to 2 years. This fine cuvee is fairly crisp with an interesting floral note and mouth-pleasing sensation of creaminess.
White Wine by Serra da Estrela from Rias Baixas, Spain. From the region of Rias Baixas (bye-sahss) of Galicia in the westernmost corner of Spain comes this distinguished wine, considered to be one of the significant undiscovered white wines of the world. Rumored to be a descendant of the Riesling grape, and brought to Spain by German missionaries in the Middle Ages, Albari o is one of the few Spanish grape varieties produced as a varietal and indicated as such on labels. This wine expresses itself solely through the purity of its fruit, and is crafted in the highest caliber modern facility, ensuring a clean, crisp wine of integrity. A pale yellow-green wine made from 100% Albari o grapes with intense aromatic richness with hints of apricot complemented by lemon-lime vibrancy, perfectly blended together with a subtle floral accent. This is a rich and concentrated wine with a classic hint of quinine in the finish, making it a perfect match for Mediterranean dishes with green olives, garlic and capers. Only 6,600 cases were produced.
White Wine by Torres from Spain. In the mountainous area of the Upper Penedes the more delicate and aromatic white grape varieties are grown. Moscatel and Gewurtztraminer form the basis for Vi a Esmeralda, an exceptionally delicate and strikingly fragrant wine. A voluptuous, exotically perfumed nose, with deliciously well-defined primary aromas (some floral notes, roses, lilies.), complemented by secondary aromas derived from the wine's controlled fermentation. Silky and sappy on the palate. Excellent with shellfish (a sublime match for an avocado and shellfish salad, for instance), as well as with fish, fresh melon with cured Spanish ham, pates, poultry or pork in a sweet and sour sauce.
White Wine by Val de Sil from Spain. One of the most exciting white wines available on the market today for the price. Fresh, bright, racy flavors of white peach and almonds. Unique and delicious - from 140 year old vines. The Prada family began to plant Godello in 1885 on old stone terraces high on the hillsides surrounding the river Sil, which cuts through the scenic valley of Valdeoras in Spain's northwest region of Galicia. In close proximity and therefore heavily influenced by the Atlantic's high levels of rainfall and relative humidity, the delicate terraces of crushed blue slate are organically cultivated with grass cover between rows to prevent erosion. Val de Sil owns significant parcels of the mineral rich Godello, including a remarkable 140 year old single vineyard that will find its way to only a few fortunate enthusiasts.
Red Wine by Vega Sindoa from Navarra, Spain. Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Tempranillo from Navarra Bright berry fruit with lots of interesting spicy tea and vanilla notes. Very soft fruit, with a creamy consistency and layers of earthy cherry and berry pie.
Red Wine by Vina Robles from Central Coast, California. Color: Deep purple, very intense Aroma: Plum and boysenberry with spice and a touch of earthiness Taste: Big, full-bodied and packed with intense, sweet, ripe fruit; this wine has wonderful flavors of dusky plums, brambles, boysenberries and raspberries; the fruit is supported by ripe but fine tannins; long pleasant finish
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