Tasting Notes For Friday 7/6

Wines from Spain and Portugal were the stars this time:

BOTANI MOSCATEL 2009

            Beautifully fragrant with tropical fruit aromas, this dry Moscatel is “forward and clean, with pineapple, lychee, green banana and nutmeg flavors. Medium-long on the finish, with some pithiness, this is a good apéritif white that’s out of the ordinary.”  91 points Wine Advocate.  $11.97.

 LA CANA ALBARINO 2011

            Our next Spanish white shows off “pineapple, lemon, seashell and salt scents that carry through on the pure, silky palate. Finishes very long with brilliant acidity, rich citrus fruit flavors, fine minerals and just the slightest touch of almond. Absolutely delicious.  89 points Tobin Bros.  $15.97.

 VINA CERRADA TEMPRANILLO 2010

            How the Spanish can make, bottle, and ship wines this inexpensively is beyond us, but somehow they do.  This one carries red berry and spice aromas into a round, soft mouthfeel, with good balance between fruit and acid as well as a smooth finish.  87 points Tobin Bros.  $7.97.

 LA PLANTA RIBERA DEL DUERO 2009

            Robert Parker’s favorite vintage of this wine, it displays “an enticing nose of cedar, spice box, incense, a hint of balsamic, and black cherry.  This is a firm, well-balanced, savory wine that belies its modest price. Complex, mouth-filling, and well-proportioned, it over-delivers in a big way.”  90 points Robert Parker.  $15.97.

 CASTILLO PERELADA 5 FINCAS 2005

            This unique blend of Merlot, Garnacha, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo and Cab Franc carries aromas of blackberries, plums, cedar, smoke, menthol, and herbs, with currant, blackberry, plum and more herbal notes on the palate.  Balanced tannins and acidity throughout.  89 points Jim.  $16.97.

 VAN ZELLERS DOURO RED 2007

            From Portugal’s Douro River Valley, this is a “plush, juicy red, offering concentrated raspberry, blackberry and dark plum, with hints of pomegranate. Delivers silky tannins, with plenty of hazelnut and cream on the finish.”  90 points Wine Spectator.  $17.97.

 CONDADO DE HAZA RIBERA DEL DUERO 2006

                 This Tempranillo’s “vivid raspberry, blackberry, anise and floral scents are fresh and pure. Juicy dark berry flavors are complemented by succulent herbs and dark chocolate, becoming sweeter with air. Leaves strong floral pastille and berry liqueur notes behind, finishing with excellent cut and precision. Very nicely focused wine.”  92 points Stephen Tanzer.  $19.97.

 QUINTA VALE D. MARIA DOURO 2009 (BONUS WINE)

                The first of our bonus wines is one that will cellar well for many years, but we just had to open it now!  Robert Parker called it “sexy, captivating, ripe, tasty, and a contender for wine of the vintage.  For every 15 minute interval it was open, it changed and got better.”  96 points Wine Advocate.  $49.97.

 ALTO MONCAYO GARNACHA 2009 (BONUS WINE)

            “This wine is spectacular, and represents the perfect foil for grilled steak. Rich, full bodied and muscular, Alto Moncayo has riveting intensity and palate staining extract; this Spanish red is inky/purple, full-bodied, and rich. This pedal-to-the-metal offering should age handsomely for a decade.”  $46.97.