Spanish Wine Tasting Notes
Cava
White
| DO | Rueda |
| Bodegas | Bodegas Pedro Escudero |
| Wines |
Valdelainos Verdejo Viura 2007 75cl Fuente Elvira Verdejo 2007 75cl |
Rosé
Red
| DoCa | Rioja |
| Bodegas | Compania Bodeguera de Valenciso |
| Wines |
Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2004 75cl Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2002 75cl Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2001 75cl |
| DO | Toro |
| Bodegas | Bodegas Farina |
| Wines |
Gran Colegiata Campus 2002 75cl Gran Colegiata Campus 2001 75cl Gran Colegiata Campus 1999 75cl |
Brandy
| DO | Condado de Huelva |
| Bodegas | Bodegas Rubio |
| Wines |
Luis Felipe Brandy Gran Reserva (60 years) 70cl Luis Felipe Brandy Gran Reserva (60 years) 35cl |
Mixed
White
Valdelainos Verdejo Viura 2007 75cl - DO Rueda : Bodegas Pedro Escudero
| Type of Wine | White. |  More Info  
|
| Grape Variety | Verdejo and Viura. | |
| Soil | Gravel. | |
| Vinification | Lightly crushed after destemming. Macerated for 12 hours before devatting to obtain the free-run juice. Slow alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. | |
| Ageing | No oak barrel ageing. | |
| Tasting Notes |
A brilliant straw-yellow colour, with a fresh bouquet, and light touches of grass typical of the Verdejo variety, perfectly blended with the tropical notes that are more typical of the Viura variety. In the mouth it is fresh, with a very tasty palate and a full variety of fruits.
SORRY SOLD OUT. | |
| Alcohol | 12.5% vol. | |
| Food | With fish, shellfish, poultry, mild cheeses and salads. | |
| Our Comments | A fruity wine best served chilled at around 9-12ºC. Drink this wine in the next 24 months to enjoy it at its best. Lovely on its own, but goes well with salads and fish. |
Fuente Elvira Verdejo 2007 75cl - DO Rueda : Bodegas Pedro Escudero
| Type of Wine | White. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Verdejo . | |
| Soil | Gravel. | |
| Harvest | Hand selected grapes. | |
| Vinification | Strict selection of grapes before light crushing after destemming. Macerated for 12 hours before devatting to obtain the free-run juice. Slow alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. | |
| Ageing | No oak barrel ageing. | |
| Tasting Notes |
A classic Verdejo wine with a yellow-green colour and glints of green. On the nose it is very intense with a predominance of balsam and herbs, with hints of peach. In the mouth it is fruity and well structured, with a long and fresh finish.
SORRY SOLD OUT. | |
| Alcohol | 13.0% vol. | |
| Food | With fish, shellfish, poultry, mild cheeses and salads. | |
| Our Comments | A refreshing clean crisp fruity example of a quality Verejo wine, best served chilled at around 9-12ºC. Drink this wine in the next 24 months to enjoy it at its best. |
Red
Torremilanos Crianza 2003 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info 
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for 18 days. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 13 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest, followed by one year in the bottle. | |
| Tasting Notes |
Intense colour of red cherries. The aromas of new oak are prominent with fruit and touches of vanilla. In the mouth, it is powerful, full bodied yet smooth and velvety, with a good balance between the oak and the fruit. It will age well. Can be served straight from the bottle at room temperature.
SORRY SOLD OUT. | |
| Alcohol | 13.5% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich stews or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments | A quality crianza which can be enjoyed anytime between now and 2010. Definitely for those who prefer a mellow, but flavoursome red wine. |
Torremilanos Reserva 2001 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand in mid-October, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for 20 days. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 18 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest. | |
| Tasting Notes | Intense colour of red cherries with aromas of very ripe fruits and wild berries. A big well structured wine that will age well for at least 10 years.
SORRY SOLD OUT. | |
| Alcohol | 13.0% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich stews or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments | 2001 was a good vintage generally throughout Spain, and this is another excellent Reserva wine from Bodegas Peñalba López. Good fruit and tannin balance, with a smooth long finish. |
Torremilanos Reserva 1999 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand in mid-October, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for 20 days. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 19 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest. | |
| Tasting Notes | Intense colour of red cherries with aromas of very ripe fruits and wild berries that blend with those of coconut and liquorice imparted by the oak. A big well structured wine that will age well for at least 10 years. | |
| Alcohol | 13.0% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich stews or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments | Another excellent Reserva wine from Bodegas Peñalba López, released to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Probably nearing its peak now so drink now and over the next couple years to enjoy at its best. |
Torremilanos Gran Reserva 1998 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand in mid-October, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for 20 days. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 30 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest. | |
| Tasting Notes | On the nose, it is intense and pure with some balsamic character. Rich, complex, rounded and smooth with a finish that reminds of almonds. Soft and balanced on the long finish. | |
| Alcohol | 13.0% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich game or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments | Very nice. Another good Gran Reserva in the long string of vintages we have stocked from this bodegas. Another wine you can keep a little longer. |
Torre Albeniz Reserva 1999 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand in mid-October, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for three weeks. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 25 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest. | |
| Tasting Notes | Intense cherry red colour with aromas of very ripe red fruits. Structured and vigorous on the palate, with traces of vanilla coming from the barrels. Will age for a long time. | |
| Alcohol | 13% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich game or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments | Another 'big' Torre Albéniz Reserva wine, released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bodegas Peñalba López, and reminiscent of the 1996 award winning vintage. Probably nearing its peak now so drink now and over the next couple years to enjoy at its best. |
Torremilanos Cyclo 2004 75cl - DO Ribera del Duero : Bodegas Penalba Lopez
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinto del País (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Sand and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Carefully selected grapes hand picked from vines between 85-100 years old. | |
| Vinification | Organic. Grapes gently crushed. Native yeasts used in primary fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation in the barrel. This wine is unfined and unfiltered. | |
| Ageing | Aged for 18 months in barrels of French oak from the Allier forest. | |
| Tasting Notes |
95 POINTS "Outstanding" from Robert Parker in Wine Advocate.
Luxuriously bright, deep cherry colour with aromas of wild berries, plum pudding and delicate touches of spices from the earth (rosemary, thyme, lavender) and the retama flower, hot spices, tobacco and cacao. On the palate, the body is opulent, elegant, warm and well-rounded thanks to soft integrated tannins.
SORRY SOLD OUT. | |
| Alcohol | 14.0% vol. | |
| Food | Grilled or roast meat dishes, rich game or other powerful flavours. | |
| Our Comments |
Only 13,400 bottles produced. I think Robert Parker says it all:
PARKERS NOTES: "The 2004 Cyclo is even better than the 2003, more expressive aromatically, firmer and more structured on the palate. Purchasers of the 2004 should be prepared to cellar it for 5-7 years. It will drink well through 2025. If I were a budding wine collector with limited discretionary income, this is the type of wine that I would be laying down." |
Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2004 75cl - DoCa Rioja : Compania Bodeguera de Valenciso
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tempranillo. | |
| Soil | Clay and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for three weeks. | |
| Ageing | French oak, which are replaced every three years. | |
| Tasting Notes |
91 POINTS "Outstanding" from Robert Parker in Wine Advocate.
Dark garnet colour and flashes of ruby, cherry scented, with a hint of spice. Flavoursome, soft and smooth on the palate with a persistent aftertaste. An elegant, delicate and complex example of the Tempranillo grape.
Sorry only Magnum (150cl) and Double Magnum (300cl) bottles remaining. If you are interested in purchasing these please CONTACT US. | |
| Alcohol | 13.5% vol. | |
| Food | Roasts, casseroles and meat dishes with sauces. | |
| Our Comments |
This is good!
Our regular customers will note that we have jumped from the 2002 to the 2004 vintage.
Valenciso choose to make no wine in 2003 because they did not believe the quality of the juice from their harvest was good enough to carry the Valenciso Reserva label. A brave decision when they only produce one wine, but one that shows their dedication to producing consistently high quality wine under their banner – ‘one cellar, one wine, one brand’.
At the current stage of its life this wine is reminiscent of the great 2001 vintage, but could easily be better! With its good fruit-tannin balance this wine is going to age well for many years, although it can be drunk now.
PARKERS NOTES: The 2004 Valenciso Reserva is 100% Tempranillo aged for 22 months in one-third new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it offers up an alluring nose of mineral, cigar box, incense, violets, and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine is layered, rich, spicy, and structured. With 4-6 years of additional cellaring it will show greater complexity in both aroma and flavor. Drink it from 2014 to 2024. |
Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2002 75cl - DoCa Rioja : Compania Bodeguera de Valenciso
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. | More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tempranillo. | |
| Soil | Clay and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for three weeks. | |
| Ageing | French oak, which are replaced every three years. | |
| Tasting Notes |
90 POINTS "Outstanding" from Robert Parker in Wine Advocate.
Dark garnet colour and flashes of ruby, cherry scented, with a hint of spice. Flavoursome, soft and smooth on the palate with a persistent aftertaste. An elegant, delicate and complex example of the Tempranillo grape.
SORRY only Magnum (150cl) bottles remaining and One & Two 75cl Bottle Gift Sets. If you are interested in purchasing these please CONTACT US. | |
| Alcohol | 13.5% vol. | |
| Food | Roasts, casseroles and meat dishes with sauces. | |
| Our Comments | I know I say this every vintage, but this is another classy wine from this small bodega which only produces one wine – ‘one cellar, one wine, one brand’. Not as fruity as the 2001, this vintage is reminiscent of the acclaimed 2000, and before that the 1998 vintage. Elegant with a good fruit-tannins balance, this wine can be enjoyed now or kept for several years to come. To enjoy this wine at its best now, do take the time to decant and allow it to stand for a while before drinking, although it can be served straight from the bottle at room temperature. PARKERS NOTES: "A particularly fine effort given the difficult vintage conditions. The nose is nicely perfumed with aromas of wood smoke, cedar, pencil lead, blackberry, and plum. This is followed by a firm wine with plenty of structure but good fruit behind it. It should all come together in 4-6 years and drink well through 2020." |
Valenciso Tempranillo Reserva Rioja 2001 75cl - DoCa Rioja : Compania Bodeguera de Valenciso
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. | More Info Awards
|
| Grape Variety | Tempranillo. | |
| Soil | Clay and chalk. | |
| Harvest | Picked by hand, followed by manual selection at the winery. | |
| Vinification | Macerated for three weeks. | |
| Ageing | French oak, which are replaced every three years. | |
| Tasting Notes |
91 POINTS "Outstanding" from Robert Parker in Wine Advocate.
Cherry red, with flashes of garnet and ruby. Soft bodied and coloured, this is a subtle, elegant wine with a velvety structure. Round and balanced in flavour, with a persistent, full, but balanced finish. SORRY only Magnum (150cl) bottles remaining. If you are interested in purchasing these please CONTACT US. | |
| Alcohol | 13.5% vol. | |
| Food | Roasts, casseroles and meat dishes with sauces. | |
| Our Comments | Yet another prize winning vintage from Compañía Bodeguera de Valenciso. A classy wine from this small bodega which only produces one wine – ‘one cellar, one wine, one brand’. Elegant with a good fruit-tannins balance, this wine can be enjoyed now or kept for several years to come. To enjoy this wine at its best now, do take the time to decant and allow it to stand for a while before drinking, although it can be served straight from the bottle at room temperature. |
Gran Colegiata Campus 2002 75cl - DO Toro : Bodegas Farina
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Gravel, sand and clay. | |
| Harvest | Carefully selected grapes grown from vines between 50-140 years old. | |
| Vinification | Grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated for 28 days. Fermented in stainless steel tanks between 28-30ºC. Unfiltered and unstabilised in order to maintain its potential and complexity. | |
| Ageing | Aged in American (50%) and French (50%) oak barrels for 15 months, followed by 12 months in the bottle. | |
| Tasting Notes | Deep cherry-red colour. Complex, elegant, with aromas of coffee, cacao and hint of vanilla. Well structured and full bodied. Lingering aftertaste. | |
| Alcohol | 14.0% vol. | |
| Food | All types of meat, sausages and matured cheeses. | |
| Our Comments | This is another excellent unfiltered wine from Fariña. It can be drunk now, but like the previous vintages will improve with age for a number of years yet. |
Gran Colegiata Campus 2001 75cl - DO Toro : Bodegas Farina
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. | More Info Awards
|
| Grape Variety | Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Gravel, sand and clay. | |
| Harvest | Carefully selected grapes grown from vines between 50-140 years old. | |
| Vinification | Grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated for 28 days. Fermented in stainless steel tanks between 28-30ºC. Unfiltered and unstabilised in order to maintain its potential and complexity. | |
| Ageing | Aged in American (50%) and French (50%) oak barrels for 15 months, followed by 12 months in the bottle. | |
| Tasting Notes | Deep cherry-red colour. Complex, elegant, with aromas of coffee, cacao and hint of vanilla. Well structured and full bodied. Lingering aftertaste. | |
| Alcohol | 13.8% vol. | |
| Food | All types of meat, sausages and matured cheeses. | |
| Our Comments | This is a great vintage of this unfiltered wine. It can be drunk now if decanted, but like the 1999 and 2000 vintage will improve with age, although this 2001 wine will probably continue to age for many years yet. |
Gran Colegiata Campus 1999 75cl - DO Toro : Bodegas Farina
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged red. |  More Info Awards
|
| Grape Variety | Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo). | |
| Soil | Gravel, sand and clay. | |
| Harvest | Carefully selected grapes grown from vines between 50-140 years old. | |
| Vinification | Grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated for 28 days. Fermented in stainless steel tanks between 28-30ºC. Unfiltered and unstabilised in order to maintain its potential and complexity. | |
| Ageing | Aged in American (50%) and French (50%) oak barrels for 15 months, followed by 12 months in the bottle. | |
| Tasting Notes |
Deep cherry-red colour. Complex, elegant, mineral aromas. Well structured and full bodied. Lingering aftertaste.
| |
| Alcohol | 13.5% vol. | |
| Food | All types of meat, sausages and matured cheeses. | |
| Our Comments | An unfiltered wine made from the excellent 1999 vintage. If you can resist the temptation, we recommend saving some bottles to enjoy in a few years time when this wine will be at its best. Drinking now, but the bodega suggests this wine will probably be at its best around 2010. |
Brandy
Luis Felipe Brandy Gran Reserva (60 years) 70cl - DO Condado de Huelva : Bodegas Rubio
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged brandy (60 years). |  More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Palomino and Zalema. | |
| Soil | Calcareous reddish. | |
| Ageing | Aged for an average of 60 years employing the traditional process of soleras-criaderas in American oak casks stacked on top of each other in racks or rows known as cachones or andanas. The end product is always obtained from the casks nearest the floor, which is where the name solera comes from, as suelo is the Spanish word for floor. It is the soleras (nearest to floor) that contain the oldest brandy. The amount taken out each time is replenished by brandy from the casks above them, in which it has remained for decades. | |
| Tasting Notes | Intense dark colour, with an aroma to match. Semi-sweet palate, with a long velvety finish. | |
| Alcohol | 40.0% vol. | |
| Our Comments | THIS BRANDY CANNOT BE PURCHASED ONLINE. PLEASE CONTACT US. A premier Spanish brandy like no other you have tasted. Only 10,000 bottles are produced annually. No eulogy can do this brandy justice, only from tasting it can the flavour and quality be appreciated. |
Luis Felipe Brandy Gran Reserva (60 years) 35cl - DO Condado de Huelva : Bodegas Rubio
| Type of Wine | Cask-aged brandy (60 years). | More Info
|
| Grape Variety | Palomino and Zalema. | |
| Soil | Calcareous reddish. | |
| Ageing | Aged for an average of 60 years employing the traditional process of soleras-criaderas in American oak casks stacked on top of each other in racks or rows known as cachones or andanas. The end product is always obtained from the casks nearest the floor, which is where the name solera comes from, as suelo is the Spanish word for floor. It is the soleras (nearest to floor) that contain the oldest brandy. The amount taken out each time is replenished by brandy from the casks above them, in which it has remained for decades. | |
| Tasting Notes | Intense dark colour, with an aroma to match. Semi-sweet palate, with a long velvety finish. | |
| Alcohol | 40.0% vol. | |
| Our Comments | THIS BRANDY CANNOT BE PURCHASED ONLINE. PLEASE CONTACT US. A premier Spanish brandy like no other you have tasted. Only 10,000 bottles are produced annually. No eulogy can do this brandy justice, only from tasting it can the flavour and quality be appreciated. |