White, Red & Rosé Wines of Spain, Portugal, Italy & Greece
We broke this up into 2 parts. On Tuesday, March 27th we tasted 3 Spanish wines (Rias Baixas, Priorat, & Rioja Alta regions) and 2 from Portugal (Vinho Verde & Dao regions). On Friday, March 30th, we tasted a white wine from Greece (Moschofilero), a red from Spain (Tempranillo) and a red from Italy (Sangiovese). Friday was my first attempt to write tasting notes without looking at the SAT.
Wines
SPAIN
2015 Adegas Gran Vinum Mar de Vinas Albarino Rias Baixas DO 12.5% abv ($12.00 from Last
Bottle)
Varietal: Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain, Val do Salnés subregion.
Side note: one of my favorite whites for sipping.
2014 Laurel Priorat DOQ Eric Solomon Selections Estate Bottled by Clos Trerasses Espana, S. L. 15% abv $52.00
Varietals: 75% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Priorat. Catalonia, Spain. Gratallops,
Side note: Amazing. Buy again!!!!
2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 13.5% abv $36.00
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 3% Gracino, 2% Mazuela
Region: Spain, Rioja Alta
Side note: Amazing. Buy again!!!!
2015 San Valero Particular Garnacha Joven DOP 13.5% abv $9.00 (from Last Bottle)
Varietal: Grenacha
Region: Spain, Carinena
Side note: Dianne took this one home to write a tasting note.
2015 Luzon Verde Jumilla DOP 14.5% abv $12.99
Varietal: Monastrell (Mourvedre)
Region: Spain, Jumilla, Murcia
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
2015 Venta Morales 14% abv $9.99
GREECE
2013 Boutari Nemea PDO 12.5% abv $19.99
Varietal: Agiorgitiko (ah-your-yee-tee-koh)
Region: Greece, Nemea (Na-may-a)
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
2015 Moschofilero Boutari PDO 11% abv $16.99
ITALY
2015 Stemmari Nero D'Avola DOC 13% abv $10.99
Varietal: Nero D'Avola
Region: Italy, Sicilia
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
Menu: Tuesday
Garlicky mushrooms
Tasting Notes and More Information
2015 Adegas Gran Vinum Mar de Vinas Albarino Rias Baixas DO 12.5% abv
Varietal: Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain, Val do Salnés subregion.
My Tasting Notes:
2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 13.5% abv $36.00
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 3% Gracino, 2% Mazuela (aka Carinena)
Region: Spain, Rioja Alta
My Tasting Notes:
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2014 has very bright fruit, quite frankly in January I was bouncing off the walls with excitement and then I did the blends in March and they had lost a bit of their fat but I think it’s going through a phase. It’s interesting because this is the first time it has happened where the wines were more aromatic in January than they were in March – which has never happened. It has a pretty strong structure but everything is there, just under the surface. It is sneaking up on you.
Wines
SPAIN
2015 Adegas Gran Vinum Mar de Vinas Albarino Rias Baixas DO 12.5% abv ($12.00 from Last
Varietal: Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain, Val do Salnés subregion.
Side note: one of my favorite whites for sipping.
2014 Laurel Priorat DOQ Eric Solomon Selections Estate Bottled by Clos Trerasses Espana, S. L. 15% abv $52.00
Varietals: 75% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Priorat. Catalonia, Spain. Gratallops,
Side note: Amazing. Buy again!!!!
2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 13.5% abv $36.00
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 3% Gracino, 2% Mazuela
Region: Spain, Rioja Alta
Side note: Amazing. Buy again!!!!
2015 San Valero Particular Garnacha Joven DOP 13.5% abv $9.00 (from Last Bottle)
Varietal: Grenacha
Region: Spain, Carinena
Side note: Dianne took this one home to write a tasting note.
2015 Luzon Verde Jumilla DOP 14.5% abv $12.99
Varietal: Monastrell (Mourvedre)Region: Spain, Jumilla, Murcia
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
2015 Venta Morales 14% abv $9.99
Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Spain. Castilla y León
GREECE
2013 Boutari Nemea PDO 12.5% abv $19.99
Varietal: Agiorgitiko (ah-your-yee-tee-koh)
Region: Greece, Nemea (Na-may-a)
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
2015 Moschofilero Boutari PDO 11% abv $16.99
Varietal: Moschofilero
Region: Greece, Peloponnese, Mantinia
ITALY
2011 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 14.5% abv ($74.99)
Grapes: Sangiovese
Region: Southern Tuscany. Montalcino
Varietal: Nero D'Avola
Region: Italy, Sicilia
Side note: (we will taste this one another time)
PORTUGAL
2014 Quinta de Cabriz DOA Colheita Seleccionada 13% abv (avg price is $10.00)
Varietal: Dao, 40% Alfrocheiro, 40% Tinta Roriz (aka Aragones and known as Tempranillo in Spain), 20% Touriga Nacional
Region: Portugal, Dao
2016 Vila Nova Vinho Verde DOC 11.5% abv $7.99
Varietal: 50 % Loureiro, 25% Azal, 25% Avesso
Region: Portugal, Vinho Verde
Menu: Tuesday
Garlicky mushrooms
Ahi tuna
Blue cheese bacon wrapped dates
Lasagna
Pears in wine sauce
Menu: Friday Dianne made amazing scrambled eggs with aspargus topped with hone goat cheese.
It was amazing.
Menu: Friday Dianne made amazing scrambled eggs with aspargus topped with hone goat cheese.
It was amazing.
Tasting Notes and More Information
2015 Adegas Gran Vinum Mar de Vinas Albarino Rias Baixas DO 12.5% abv
Region: Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain, Val do Salnés subregion.
Appearance
Nose
Palate
Assessment of Quality (balance, intensity, length and complexity)
Level of readiness to drink
More Information
Rias Baixas has a moderate, damp climate. Mildew and rot are issues due to the humid conditions so the vines are trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation. Most Albarino is unoaked to take advantage of the grapes natural acidity and ripe stone fruit flavors.
Ree ahs, By shus
Adegas Gran Vinum is a small, family-owned winery. It opened in its current form only in 2002, and uses only the most modern growing and production techniques. However, it was founded on land owned and lovingly cultivated by the owner’s grandparents so that the winery is able to work with old traditions to balance out the modern methods. The winery is located in Galicia, in northwest Spain, right on the border with Portugal and on the Atlantic Ocean.
Wine maker: Adegas Gran Vinum S.L.
Aromas of white flowers, stone fruits and lees are typical of well-made Albariño. A juicy, elegant palate with a mix of citrus and stone-fruit flavors is lasting, with a hint of pithy character coming up on the finish.
Absolute steal for $12. Lemon-lime, stone fruits and a touch of faint white flowers on the nose. Crisp and refreshing in the mouth with some nice roundness to complete the finish. Very Tasty!
Information from Last Bottle
BOOM! As much as we love a racy Sauvignon Blanc, the crackling good energy of a kickass Albarino tingles our spines even more ---- this one is supercharged with voltage of the white flower, stone fruit kind, and is priced to bring us to tears…!!! 90 points to boot! Don’t skip it --- summer sippin’ at its finest!! Lemon-lime, orange flower, citrus marmalade, honeydew melon…oh baby! Fresh and zippy and bracing, this is just thirst-quenching in a crazy-delicious way. White stone fruits, too, and some roundness even on the finish. This price??!! We’ll drink it all day…
2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 13.5% abv $36.00
Region: Spain, Rioja Alta
My Tasting Notes:
The wine is medium garnet.
The wine has a pronounced intensity and fully developed. The aromas are of violet, red cherry, black pepper, vanilla, chocolate, fig, and tobacco.
The wine is dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+) tannin, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. It has a pronounced flavor intensity and a long finish. The flavors are of dark cherry, black pepper, chocolate and leather.
The wine is outstanding.
Can drink now but has potential for aging.
The wine has a pronounced intensity and fully developed. The aromas are of violet, red cherry, black pepper, vanilla, chocolate, fig, and tobacco.
The wine is dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+) tannin, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. It has a pronounced flavor intensity and a long finish. The flavors are of dark cherry, black pepper, chocolate and leather.
The wine is outstanding.
Can drink now but has potential for aging.
More Information
Rioja Alta is the larger of the 3 Rioja subregions and lies mainly to the south of the Ebro river. The climate is moderated by the Atlantic ocean. Tempranillo is the most widely planted black varietal and gives blends ref fruit flavors and medium levels of tannin. Granacha provides body and alcohol. Mazuelo (Carinena) and Graciano are less well planted.94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Product Description:
"For 140 years, four generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines. Masterpieces which have achieved that which the founder of the company, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, defined in the late nineteenth century as the "Supreme Rioja".
Vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries, and the later ageing in bottles, all contribute to making these illustrious wines with their exceptional bouquet.
Viña Bosconia wines come from our vineyard called El Bosque. The El Bosque vineyard is situated next to the river Ebro at an altitude of 465m and it is one kilometre away from our winery. Vines are planted on the south-facing foothills of the Sierra Cantabria range, providing them with the perfect conditions for ripening. The soil is a mixture of clay and limestone, and the average age of the vines is 40 years. In general, Viña Bosconia wines are elegant but full-bodied; have a deep colour and good structure, and are wines with great complexity and expression." -Winery
Vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries, and the later ageing in bottles, all contribute to making these illustrious wines with their exceptional bouquet.
Viña Bosconia wines come from our vineyard called El Bosque. The El Bosque vineyard is situated next to the river Ebro at an altitude of 465m and it is one kilometre away from our winery. Vines are planted on the south-facing foothills of the Sierra Cantabria range, providing them with the perfect conditions for ripening. The soil is a mixture of clay and limestone, and the average age of the vines is 40 years. In general, Viña Bosconia wines are elegant but full-bodied; have a deep colour and good structure, and are wines with great complexity and expression." -Winery
2014 Clos i Trerasses Laurel Priorat DOQ Eric Solomon Selections 15% abv $52.00
Varietals: 75% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Spain, Catalunya, Priorat. Gratallops,
My Tasting Notes:
The wine is deep ruby.
The wine has a pronounced intensity and is fully developed. The aromas are of rose, red cherry, licorice, vanilla, mushroom
The wine is dry, with medium(+) intensity, high tannin, high alcohol, pronounced flavor and long finish. The flavors are of black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, leather.
The wine is outstanding.
Can drink now, has potential for aging.
The wine has a pronounced intensity and is fully developed. The aromas are of rose, red cherry, licorice, vanilla, mushroom
The wine is dry, with medium(+) intensity, high tannin, high alcohol, pronounced flavor and long finish. The flavors are of black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, leather.
The wine is outstanding.
Can drink now, has potential for aging.
More Information
Summers are long, hot and dry in Priorat and the annual rainfall is low. The nights are cool. This is perfect for Granacha and Carinena both being late ripening. The soil is known locally as llicorella which consists of layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun. This helps ripening by reflecting and conserving heat and because of their depth, retain sufficient water. Bush training and steep slopes require hand harvesting. Old vines and low soil nutrients result in low yields. Red Piorat will be deeply colored with high tannins, medium to high alcohol, concentrated black fruit, and toasty aromas from new french oak.
Summers are long, hot and dry in Priorat and the annual rainfall is low. The nights are cool. This is perfect for Granacha and Carinena both being late ripening. The soil is known locally as llicorella which consists of layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun. This helps ripening by reflecting and conserving heat and because of their depth, retain sufficient water. Bush training and steep slopes require hand harvesting. Old vines and low soil nutrients result in low yields. Red Piorat will be deeply colored with high tannins, medium to high alcohol, concentrated black fruit, and toasty aromas from new french oak.
When the primary fermentations are winding down these decisions begin to coalesce and wines intended for Laurel are racked into a combination of 20hl wooden tanks, second- and third-fill 228L French oak barrels and clay amphorae. It rests for 16-18 months before final blending and bottling.
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