Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial 2013, Spain

What a wonderful succulent red blend from La Milla de Oro (the Golden Mile) of Castillo y Leon - Sardón de Duero, in Spain. Instead of the D.O. classification the producers opted for the more flexible "VdlT Castilla y Leon" allowing a terrific blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah and other varieties like Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Aged for 13 months in French and American oak barrels, this viscous red has thick dark colors accented with heady aromas of cherry pie and dark chocolate. The palate shows a richness that treats the tongue to a bombardment of ripe red and blue fruits through a lens of silky tannins and exquisite balance. What a beautiful treat! This bottle goes for about $30.

Aalto 2009, Aalto Bodegas y Vinedos

Another red from Spain's Ribera del Duero, Aalto Bodegas Y Vinedos hand harvests grapes, then ages for 23 months in French and American oak barrels, followed by additional months once bottled. This gem has beautiful aromas of fresh  perfumed flowers, wood, both red and dark fruit, black cherry, contrasting with smoked meats and cigar box, beautiful flavors of blueberries, licorice, spice, cassis, dark cocoa with an herbaceous edge. With the holidays coming up, I would suggest springing for this baby at around $40.

Malleolus 2009, Bodegas Emilio Moro

A very lively red from Ribera del Duero in Spain, a Bordeaux style, dark brooding colors in the glass, aromas of raw wood and torn bark, black fruits with a certain minerality, big round flavors and the raw wood is deceptively missing, intense concentration of ripe cherries, spice and a hint of sweetness. Silky tannins and long smooth finish.

Viña Sastre Crianza 2009, Bodegas Hermanos, Sastre

Here is another beauty from the Ribera del Duero region of Spain where the 2009 vintage was reportedly a very good one, and this Tempranillo reflects that. After initial fermentation aged for 18 months in French oak.

Deep bluish red colors with red cherry, blue fruits, violets and deep earthy aromas, mushroom or truffle-like, more flavors of red fruits, red licorice candy and exotic eucalyptus, on top an herbal mint/lavender cast. Very fruit forward, with herbaceous twist and ready to drink (but can only improve with age). This would be a great wine to bring to a holiday celebration at $33.

Bodegas Vizcarra JC Vizcarra 2011

From Ribera del Duero in Spain, this 100% Tempranillo is aged in French & American oak (half new and half two years old) for 15 months. Purple ruby colors, clean, primary aromas of raw wood, vegetal, earth and barnyard. Nice acidity, fresh flavors of chocolate and licorice, palate overpowers aromas, beautiful finish, smooth tannins. Pairs well with red meat, but would be greatly improved with a little aging. $33

Alejandro Fernandez-Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2008

This powerful, racy Tempranillo is aged 24 months in American oak barriques and 12 months in bottle. Colored an opaque ruby in the glass with rust around the rim, lovely aromas of violets and cherry pie pervading, set against a certain minerality and hint of petroleum. Beautiful mixture of tannins and acidity showing flavors of cherry, black fruit and cocoa, with a spicy long finish. Robert Palmer labeled this the "Petrus of Spain". SRP $48. Ribera del Duero region.

Valsan 1831 Noviembre de Finca El Monegrillo 2006, Spain

From Manchuela, Spain where the popular red grape is usually Tempranillo, here is a tasty blend of 60% Shiraz with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 14 months in French oak Allier barrels of varying cooperages, with different degrees of toast and stave sizes.

Deep garnet colors in the glass with aromas of dark fruit, blackberry pie and mint along with a toasted earthy edge. Nice rounded tannins and good acidity along with flavors of caramel, underbrush, anise and pepper. A long mature finish leaves the senses satisfied and wanting more.

Bodegas Ateca Honoro Vera Garnacha 2011

From the Calatayud region of Spain this red wine is a 100% Garnacha that is fruit forward, and easy drinking. The vineyards are at a high elevation, the soil gravelly and dry, and the vines are old and gnarly, making the grapes earn their living and producing a really interesting everyday wine with a great price tag of $8.45 (Bottle/case price $5.91... I had a 30% off coupon at Pop's Wines in Island Park, NY).

Aromas are a ripe and jammy red berry with caramel candy, while the palate shows definite balsamic overtones with hints of white pepper and cherry and a good finish.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas: Three Excellent Reds for Under $40 Each

Every once in a while you need to splurge a little, and now is the perfect season to buy that really good wine you've been wanting to try. Well, here are picks of three of my favorite reds to treat yourself to.... (or bring as gifts for the holidays) for under $40 each.

Castello di Gabbiano Alleanza 2009 IGT, Italy

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! $40

Termes 2009, Spain

100% hand harvested, 4 months in stainless steel tanks, then aged in French oak barrels for 14-16 months. (The 2008 was expressly fresh fruit, while the 2009 was slightly warmer vintage like 06, 03 with a level of intensity, and lots of character). Aromas of raspberry, strawberry, fruity, sweet lush tannins, lively vibrant fruit character. nice structure, toasted, cedar, layered juicy texture on palate. Pairs beautifully with salumi, which rounds out the tannins. SRP $30

Macari Vineyards Merlot 2005, Long Island

soaked in a perfume of damp earth, green peppers, currant, blackberry, vanilla and ripe plum enmeshed with an herbaceous and lush mouth-feel surrounded by caramel candy and lively tannins redolent of leather and a long toasty finish. $36

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.

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.

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.

Monte Real Gran Reserva 1998, Bodegas Riojanas DOCa Rioja Spain

According to the governing traditions the Reservas from Rioja must spend (at least) 1 year in oak barrels and 2 years in bottle; Gran Reservas spend (at least) 2 years in barrels and 3 years in bottle.

The Monte Real GR blend is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano, aged in American oak casks for 24 to 30 months and in bottle for 36 months. I first sampled this in 2008 at the Astor Center's Rioja Wine Seminar where my notes are as follows:

On the nose are beautiful bright cherries with aromatic spices and ripe summer fruits, while on the palate waves of dark fruit make for an excellent balance and a lush, long finish. I did a search and PJ Wine Co. has it listed retail at $26.99. This, I believe, is an amazing value.

Here are my notes on the same wine 4 years later at the "Spain's Great Match/WineFoodDesign" held in the Metropolitan Center in NYC this past week. 

Pale ruby colors in the glass with burnt orange around the rim, mild spices, white pepper, subdued, ripe cherry, smooth, mild wood, very smooth finish. Presently the SRP is $55.

Bodegas Riojanas Puerta Vieja Crianza 2007 Rioja

From La Rioja region of Spain, Bodegas Riojanas produces this Crianza, a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano aged for 18 months in American oak, followed by six months bottle aging before release.

Dark ruby colors paint a bold picture to prepare for the bright and funky nose showing earth and bramble, dried fruit, cured meat, black cherries and spice... while the palate expresses bold signs of umami, coconut, dried cherries and earth. Easy tannins and acidity with a surefooted balance that makes this a real find at around $11. What a complex wine for the price?!

Definitely a food wine that works really well with red meat or sauces. Don't miss this one!

Novel Travel Ideas for Wine Lovers

As mentioned many times on this blog, one of my most memorable vacations was a cycling trip through Tuscany. There were so many sights to see and on a bike I had the choice of stopping whenever I wanted if one caught my eye, and naturally what caught my eye related to wine. So... I'd usually stop at a winery, enoteca, or even a vineyard. I think an interesting trip sometimes can be a life changer, I know it was for me. So here are a few novel travel ideas for a wine lover.

Biking, walking, running, & multisport vacations through wine country

BACKROADS
For over 34 years Backroads has delivered a rich sense of journey that connects you to a region, with an appreciation for every minute of your time, so that events happen in a natural manner that makes sense, giving you maximum flexibility over how you spend each day. They operate their our own trips everywhere in the world, controlling quality each step of the way.

Multiple daily routes give you the freedom to access the best of a region at your own pace. Every day of every trip they provide a variety of well-researched options which are displayed on the Web and include mileage and elevation change. Every option comes with directions and is fully supported.

Two vans, three leaders, thoughtful trip design, multiple route options with directions and a choice of riding companions—each and every person is supported equally, regardless of ability.

River Barge through wine country

EUROPEAN WATERWAYS
Gourmet dining while savoring a glass of wine on a luxury hotel barge, visiting local vineyards in the Burgundy region of France or the Po River Valley of Italy.

Fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

Hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

On your all-inclusive cruise, your intimate ‘floating hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge a professional crew will be there to look after you once more.

They have special theme cruises for those who enjoy a specific sport or hobby. You can choose a theme cruise from their cruise guide or view their cruise maps from several locations around the site.


Food & Wine

LA DOLCE VITA WINE TOURS is a boutique tour operator founded in 1999 that offers educational wine vacations in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Their tours aren’t simply about stellar wine and gourmet food. They’re an entry point to Italian culture. Wine is a magnificent portal. It’s a door that leads to the world of the winemaker: equal parts farmer and artist, scientist and alchemist. It opens onto the Italian kitchen, being a soul mate to both rustic cucina povera and the most elegant haute cuisine. Wine opens the way to history, to stories of ancient Romans, Renaissance dukes, and Savoy royalty who shaped what we eat and drink. And it’s a conduit to modern-day Italy, with its lively wine bars and sidewalk cafés, bucolic landscapes and art-filled cities. These are the worlds La Dolce Vita Wine Tours explores.

Small groups (2 to 14 max) allow for dialog with winemakers. For dedicated wine enthusiasts and wine educators, they have wine-intensive tours. For the active traveler, they offer walking tours and custom bike trips. Accommodations are charming countryside inns or family-run hotels in medieval wine towns.

On all their tours, you'll enjoy Italian-style hospitality, user-friendly wine education, thoughtful food and wine pairings, and cultural sights. Plus, you'll discover places you’d never find on your own.

Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2007

I've tried this Crianza from Spain's Rioja region from many vintages and always enjoyed it immensely. The grapes used here are a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 5% Mazuelo that is aged for 12 months in barrel before bottle aging for another 12. Dark ruby colors with earthy aromas marrying with cherries, plum and vanilla and completing the circle with toasted oak. $10.

Castillo Montroy (Anecoop) Reserva 2005 Valencia

Castillo Montroy Reserva is made from a blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Monastrell grapes and aged for at least 3 years before release. Dark ruby colors with earthy fruit aromas and notes of almond and oak. On the palate ripe cherries, black pepper, raspberry, and hints of licorice, chocolate and spice. An inexpensive price tag of $8, this wine was probably ready to drink a few years ago but still has some attractive qualities.

Notes on Valencia from Wine Searcher:
Valencia DO (Denominación de Origen), located within the Comunidad Valenciana autonomous community of Spain, was traditionally a mass producer for the bulk Spanish wine market, but many estates in the region have shed that image and are employing modern viticultural techniques to attempt to create more stylish wines. Archaeologists have established that winemaking in Valencia dates back thousands of years.

Marques De Riscal Tempranillo Reserva 2005, Rioja Spain

In 1858 Herederos de Marqués de Riscal became the first winery in the Rioja to produce wines following the Bordeaux method of slow fermentation and careful blending. This 2005 is hand picked using only the best grapes of the vintage made from 90% Tempranillo with a 10% blending of Mazuelo & Graciano, and aged in American oak barrels for 2 years before bottling for a year before release, thereby softening the tannins a bit.

Deep purple rose colors, with beautiful swirls of umami, tobacco, dark black cherry, spice and a balsamic note on the nose. The palate echoes its spicy nature along with the cherries, but now the cherries are showing a smoky earth, violets and ripeness, and spreading the finish evenly to the back of the tongue in a wave of warmth. And the finish goes on for a good distance.

Depending on where you live you should be able to find a bottle for between $15 and $20 and it can be cellared for at least another 10 years. Alcohol by volume: 13.5%

Winemaker's notes:
A dark cherry color with good depth. Balsamic aromas with hints of ripe fruit, complex and spicy. The attack is fresh and light, with soft, rounded tannins. The finish proves persistent with some reminders of toasted oak. Its passage through the mouth is pleasant and elegant, fresh and easy to drink.

Man of Numanthia

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a dinner at Geoffrey Zakarian’s The Lambs Club in NYC with Estate Director Manuel Louzada, from Bodega Numanthia, to introduce three different vintages of Termes, Numanthia and Termanthia.

Born in Portugal, Louzada lived in Spain for ten years, where he developed a love for the sea as well as a more introspective way of looking at life. He studied agriculture, engineering, and agronomy and eventually returned to Portugal where he set to work making Port wine. In 1999 he moved to Argentina to make sparkling wines for Bodegas Chandon where the focus is on detail.

His three year plan, turned into nine, and he eventually moved to Numanthia in Spain in 2008. “Character and concentration are the trademarks of the Toro region wines, and we want to be truthful to soul of the wines,” notes an enthusiastic Louzada.

Numanthia was founded in 1998, and in 2006 the partners sold to Moet Hennessey. Some of the uniqueness of Toro wines is rooted in the fact that some of its vines are 60 to 200 years old.

I asked Manuel, how his experience with Port and Champagne influenced his winemaking…

“The influence of Port is about character -- it’s about power,” says Louzada. “It’s about trying to understand the massive strength of nature. When you taste Port wine for the first two years, I can assure you it’s not a very pleasant sensation, because of the alcohol, because of the amount of tannins, because of the fruitiness that seem overwhelming. What makes the big difference is the development of understanding of those powerful details.”

“Champagne on the other hand is the opposite. It’s how a single 1%, 2%, 3% of the most delicate wine makes such a big difference, so it’s about small details; it’s how the small percentages change the character of a wine. Blending it was a beautiful exercise, because when you taste base wines, whatever you have in thebase wine, good or bad, is going to be multiplied by a thousand because of the carbonic. So I had a lot of fun learning about, and making sparkling.”

“When blending Termanthia I had to choose between 22 or 23 barrels -- deciding which of the 20 I’m going to use-- there anything more detailed than that? You have to be able to figure out how to get to the picture you have in your head.”

Tinta de Toro

The Spaniards of the region call it Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo). A typical Tempranillo will usually display a full, muscular body and a viscosity with dark purple colors woven with aromas of black currants, violets, licorice and caramel. The bouquet may blend into a palate of plums and dark chocolate, all working to create a soft but supple wine with a long dusty finish... the better ones are a very nice balance of tannins & acidity.

A Quick Study of the 3 Vintages

The Termes 2007 was a warm vintage with elegant and delicate tones, while the 2008 Termanthia was a more traditional vintage with a beautiful combination of fresh fruitiness and tannic structure and concentration, with 2009 presenting yet another warm vintage concentration, highlighting extremely soft tannins. Louzada explains that some wines can be drinkable upon release but can be equally palatable in 30 years.

Tasting Notes and Pairings

Termes 2009

The first up is the Termes 2009... 100% hand harvested, 4 months in stainless steel tanks, then aged in French oak barrels for 14-16 months. (The 2008 was expressly fresh fruit, while the 2009 was slightly warmer vintage like 06, 03 with a level of intensity, and lots of character). Aromas of raspberry, strawberry, fruity, sweet lush tannins, lively vibrant fruit character. nice structure, toasted, cedar, layered juicy texture on palate. Paired beautifully with Beef Carpaccio with Piquillo Pepper, Egg and Jamon Serrano, delicate nuances, which rounds out the tannins. SRP $30


Numanthia 2007

Numanthia 2007, 100 year old vines, 18 months in French oak, more concentration, more complexity in the fruit, more aging, 100% new oak, a bit toastier and spicier, so you can feel the intensity of power and remarkable balance. On the palate, dark chocolate, cassis and spice. Paired with Veal Chop, Soubise, Summer Squash. SRP $60


Termanthia 2008

"Termanthia 2008 is a the expression of a single plot that is 120-140 year old vines, and explosion of fruit fresh cherries, like a bomb, complex so everything that we do has to be the most delicate winemaking technique to try to dominate that force, that strength of nature. Hand de-stemmed, crushed by foot, twice thru new barrels." Paired with Lamb Loin with Stuffed Piquillo Peppers and Eggplant. Can be aged for 30 years. SRP $200