Ysios Reserva DOCa 2004 Rioja, Spain

Aged for 16 months in French, American and Hungarian oak, then in bottle for 22 months before release. Ruby colors in the glass with intense nutty aromas, while earth and leather play against hues of violets and raspberry. The palate is a smooth blending of cherries, blackberry, licorice and blue fruit. Silky tannins and well balanced with an attractive soothing creamy finish. $30 SRP.

Sampled at Spain's Great Match WINEFOODDESIGN at Metropolitan Pavilion on October 24, 2012.

Bodegas Muriel Reserva 2005 DOCa Rioja, Spain

Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes and fermented in stainless steel tanks before aging in American and French oak for two years, then in bottles for another two.

Totally smooth, dark purple ruby colors appear in the glass, showing a complex combination of vanilla, oak, blue fruit and underbrush with nutty notes, a layered chewy creaminess, a fine texture and a long finish. Also attractive hints of spices accented by a cozy herbal note. SRP $20.

Sampled at Spain's Great Match WINEFOODDESIGN at Metropolitan Pavilion on October 24, 2012.

Eden Road's The Long Road Shiraz wins Best Shiraz

A wonderful Australian Shiraz I reviewed this past summer, The Long Road Shiraz 2010 has won Best Shiraz in Australia's National Wine Show. Production only began in 2008 when they won The Jimmy Watson Memorial trophy for their first vintage.

"The vineyard for this wine is located in Gundagai, where some of the most exciting Shiraz in Australia is being grown," explains Eden Road's Winemaker Nick Spencer. "The region features basalt-rich soils, which deliver highly perfumed, aromatic wines, and ironstone-rich soils, which provide a mineral, crushed rock and gravelly tannin structure."

Congratulation Eden Road! Well Done!

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009

This Riserva is made only from grapes grown on the Gabbiano Estate in the heart of Tuscany. Only the oldest and best Sangiovese vines on the property are used. Fermented in stainless steel tanks for 20 days, and for more extraction the wine was macerated on the skins for another 20, followed by aging in 50% new French oak for 16 to 18 months, and finally in bottle for 4 months.

Made from a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, with dark ruby colors in the glass revealing big aromas of pastel strawberry and dark cherry. On the palate a range of flavors evolve from chocolate to vanilla to coffee to mild hints of spicy wood, good tannins showing, a sweet balance and a long, smooth finish.

Pago de Vallegarcia Hipperia 2009

Pago de Vallegarcia is found in a part of Spain's "Montes de Toledo" a forest terroir near the Cabaneros National Park. Skewed toward the French Bordeaux style, Pago de Vallegarcia produces their 2009 Hipperia with a blend of 47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. After initial fermentation and maceration it is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels and 18 months in bottle.

Dark cherry colors in the glass, bold aromas of red berry, blue fruits, fresh herbs and balsamic with a palate displaying violets, blueberry, cassis, licorice,  eucalyptus, mint and a mild smokiness.  Nicely balanced with strong tannins, and a long finish. 14.5% alcohol and SRP of $29.99.

Sampled at Spain's Great Match WINEFOODDESIGN at Metropolitan Pavilion on October 24, 2012.

Castello di Gabbiano Alleanza 2009 IGT

Sourced from the best Merlot and Cabernet vines on the Gabbiano estate, this blend is made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in new French oak.

Starting with rich ruby red colors, a beautifully complex bouquet of roses, fresh herbs, black pepper and mild spices, while delicious flavors wind through a blend of blueberry, blackberry, ripe dark cherry, leather, raspberry and especially cloves.

Very balanced, mild sweet tannins with fresh acidity and a dark fruit finish. Love this wine!

Bodega Cyan Tinto del Toro, 12 Mesas

Sustainably farmed 50 year old vines from Toro, Zamora, Spain, aged for a year in French and American oak, exhibiting beautiful deep dark purple colors, aromas of menthol, underbrush, leather, and licorice with complex flavors of citrus, blackberry jam, ripe dark berries, and anise, smooth tannins and long finish. A great value at $15 per bottle at Ninth Avenue Vintner, in Manhattan.