Tasting Notes 6/28/13

NCWC INSANE SPAIN TASTING EVENT 6/28/13
PACO Y LOLA ALBARINO 2011
“The nose is very expressive and harmonious, with fine notes of apple, pear, lemon, and floral notes. The palate is clean and textured. Seductive and exotic notes of pineapple and mango intermingle with refreshing citrus flavors, amplified by minerally accents. Silky, but full-bodied, with a long and lingering finish. Round and very tasty.” $14.97

BOTANI MOSCATEL SECO 2011
“Botani’s nose is full of beautiful florals, tinged with green grass and a hint of salinity. Green apple, orange and white flowers dominate the palate, with a zippy acidity rounding out the mouth. This is the kind of wine that changes with every glass…even with every sip!” 91 points Wine Advocate. $14.97

TORRES SANGRE DE TORO 2010
“Rich complex aromas show exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavors of licorice and small dark forest fruits.” 87 points Bill Tobin. $8.97

HONORO VERA GARNACHA 2012
“The Honoro Vera Garnacha is a ripe cherry color. It has an intense nose with dominating notes of red ripe fruits, such as raspberry and red currant, balsamic sensations and mineral aromas. It is a fruity wine, very fresh and easy to drink.” $6.97

FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ RIOJA CRIANZA 2008
“The lifted, expressive bouquet of black plum, cassis, orange sorbet and small red cherries demonstrates good intensity. The palate is very well-balanced, with firm tannins that exert a gentle but insistent grip. It builds nicely with crisp blackberry and raspberry intermixed with white pepper and sea salt. This segues into a solid, tannic finish and is very well-made.” 90 points Robert Parker. $13.97

DINASTIA VIVANCO RIOJA CRIANZA 2008
“Made from 100% Tempranillo, this is aged for 16 months in French and American oak. Balsam wood, tobacco, cinnamon, clove, violets, and black fruit aromas lead to a ripe, sweetly-fruited, nicely proportioned Crianza that is likely to blossom for another 1-2 years and drink well through 2020.” 90 points Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator. $15.97

EMILIO MORO RIBERA DEL DUERO 2009
“Seductive aromas of blackberry and blueberry preserves, cherry-cola and rose, with a sexy incense note and a touch of allspice. Stains the palate with dark berry compote and spicecake flavors, with zesty minerality adding cut. Blends depth and vivacity smoothly, finishing with impressive clarity, a kiss of vanillin oak and lingering sweetness.” 92 points Wine & Spirits. $23.97

VEGA SICILIA TINTO VALBUENA 2001
This bonus offering ain’t cheap – $139.97 per bottle and $20/half glass – but it’s legendary. “Perfumed, sharply delineated aromas of fresh red berries, cherry, rhubarb, roasted coffee and vanillin oak. Supple, lush and sweet, with a complex array of red and dark fruit flavors, exotic spice accents and fine-grained but firm, youthful tannins. Finishes sweet and long, the tannins providing shape and grip but not intruding on the sweet, elegant fruit and tangy spice notes. There will be no Unico from this vintage so this producer’s best fruit is in this bottling.” 92 points Stephen Tanzer.