You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Guest Contributors’ category.
The question came out of the blue while enjoying a glass of wine at Barolo (Príncipe de Vergara 211, Madrid, http://www.enotecabarolo.com)
Maria hinted “The Jumilla’s Altos de Luzan”. A 13 € bottle of blended 50% monastrel, 25% cabernet sauvignon and 25% tempranillo. “And we will have some money left for tapas” she added. A purpled coloured wine with a dominant new oak and fruity aroma, overall equilibrium in mouth and persistent tannin nicely integrated. It was really a good start.
“What about Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas?” suggested Ignacio. I couldn’t agree more. A Bierzo made red wine (100% mencia), 12 € a bottle, medium to dark ruby, powerful fruity aroma, round and mouth filling and a hint of coffee in the finish. And still enough money left to have a tapa. A good buy.
“I rather go for Casa Castillo” said Blanca. “Well, things are looking up”, I thought. This estate bottle blend from Jumilla of 90% monastrel and 10% cabernet sauvignon is a dark ruby wine with sweet American oak scented nose, long in mouth. It must be tasted to be believed and for 9 €, real value for your money.
“What would you say to Baltasar Gracian, Grenache, Viñas Viejas (Calatayud)” I ventured to suggest. Dark intense cherry, depth scent with the Grenache thick, full bodied and superbly concentrated, with a straight forward and pleasant finish. For only 4, 5 €, a bargain.
“Not bad, not bad” Blanca answered me back,” but have you heard of Finca La Estacada?” Oh, come on, that was below the belt, a 3, 5 € bottle 100 % tempranillo coming from Cuenca (Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla). Bright cherry, fruity scent, strong and dry tannins, perhaps a bit toughs but with a future. A terrific bargain
“Can you beat it?” Pressed me Blanca again. Well, actually I could. For 2.2 € you can buy the Lavinia cosechero a medium bodied wine, with mild acidity, smooth berry taste. A superb every day wine. An unbeatable bargain. (Lavinia, José Ortega y Gasset 16, Madrid, http://www.lavinia.es)
To wind up my gossiping, it’s up to you to work out the answer to the question.
by guest contributor Fernando Vigón
Two thirds of the wine were there, the other third had vanished with time. Someone had handwrote “Colheita 1911” and the cork was red and greasy. It felt appropriate to end a Saturday dinner, after the best Portuguese Late Harvest (Grandjó, 2004; but the 2002 was even better!) and two great Iberian reds made in the Duero/Douro region (Pintia, DO Toro, 2003 and Quinta do Vale Meão, Douro, 2003 respectively – the first of them won the contest, by the way…).
The colour of this Port was incredible, dark and clear at the same time. Noble and intense nose, reminiscent of orange and smoke. The mouth became full and remained like that for ages. It was impossible to eat something at the same time or for a while after the tasting. It required our exclusive attention as if it wanted to spend all night telling us the stories and History of its age(s). A monument in… a green bottle of sparkling water (it looked “Pedras Salgadas” – the Portuguese Perrier!! – to me)! It was probably bottled in the 80’s, after ageing in oak for 70 years. I don’t know where it was produced and I don’t want to solve the mistery…
by guest contributor Luis Barreto Xavier
Iberians on wine 