La Montesa Palacios Remondo 2004

From what the folks at La Rioja Wine Seminar call their Vanguard Signature Series, this red wine from Spain is a blend of 40% Granacha, 35% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, and 10% Graciano aged 12 months in barrel, and contains 14.1% alcohol. It’s color is a ruby red with good complexity-- on the nose—there’s an earthy, fruity, smoky barnyard aroma and on the palate fresh ripe cherries, raspberry, and toasted chocolate. The combination of funky aromas and bright fruity flavors made for an impressive contrast.

Leza Garcia Valdepalacios Vendimia Seleccionada 2005

Another wine from La Rioja Wine Seminar at the Astor Center, this red wine from Spain is mainly Tempranillo with a small amount of red garnacha. On the nose is a nice caramel and vanilla aroma and on the palate chocolate cherries, fresh strawberries/red fruit. Opens nicely.

Monte Real Gran Reserva 1998 Bodegas Riojanas

As promised, here are my first tasting notes from La Rioja Wine Seminar at the Astor Center. In the 2nd hour they served up a group of nine Classic red wines from Spain, namely Reservas and Gran Reservas. According the governing traditions the Reservas 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.

This one was one of my favorite wines of the day. 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. 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 a and 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.

Conde De Romanones Reserva 2003 Marques de Camp Noble

Here are some more tasting notes on the Vanguard style wines from Spain offered at La Rioja Wine Seminar last week. As far as I can tell this is 100% Tempranillo grapes aged for 18 months in new French oak barriques and at least another 18 months in bottle before release. The aromas are very funky like an earthy underbrush and sour cherry. On the palate are mushrooms, and, freshly dug earth.

Colleccion Vivanco 4 Varietals Dinistia Vivanco

Another tasting entry from La Rioja Wine Seminar at Astor Center, this one is a red made from 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Garnacha and 5% Mazuelo-- all fermented separately in French oak vats. Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels. Color is a deep rose red with a floral nose of violets and cherries. On the palate is oak, toast, flower petals and cherries.

La Riojas Wine Seminar at The Astor Center

Riojas Tasting • This week I attended a tasting of wines, olive oils and cuisine from the Rioja region of Spain at the new Astor Center in New York City. The tasting was led by Juan Bautista Chavarri, the official winemaker to the Gobierno de La Rioja. A winemaker with 30 years experience, Mr. Chavarri guided us through four hours of tasting 31 wines, 2 olive oils and a multitude of tapas. Please watch this site in the very near future for tasting notes on many of them.