Spanish/Portugese Reds

2007 El Nido Clio

SPAIN OTHER, Spain

Due begiinning of June. Again from the master Australian winemaker Chris Ringland comes this red from Jumilla in Central Spain," a blend of 70% monastrell and 30% cabernet) A pungent, smoky bouquet displays rich dark berry preserves along with notes of licorice, violet, cured meat and black pepper. Brighter red fruits on the palate, which is surprisingly energetic for such richness. Tangy cracked pepper and mace notes build with air and carry into the finish. Leaves sweet red and dark berry notes behind on the very long, sappy and sweet finish. This energetic wine is already delicious" 93/100 Tanzer

2008 Borsao ( Yellow Label )

Agricola de Borja, Rioja, Spain

Last years vintage was voted 'Best Buy' in Cuisine in the Under $20.00 section and also Wine of the Week in the N.Z.Herald and Smart Buys in Wine Orbit. How the Spanish produce wines at this value is scary for the rest of the red wine producing nations. A blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache from Spain and from the best of their 15-30 yr old vines. "Year after year the wines from Borsao have made the pages of the Wine Advocate as superb values. Based on the positive mail I have received, they are a huge hit with readers" Robert Parker. "80% garnacha and 20% tempranillo) Vivid purple color. Intensely floral scents of violet, rose, raspberry, blackberry and Asian spices. A step up in complexity from the Vina Borgia and Monte Oton, with an extra aromatic dimension and impressive, sweet berry character. The finish is bright, focused and way, way more persistent than a $20 wine should be." 89/100"Tanzer

2009 Muga Rioja Rose

muga, Rioja, Spain

Proper, bone dry rose made by our superb Rioja producer in Spain'. Fermented in 1000 litre wooden casks and left on its lees. "Bright pink. A complex bouquet displays scents of red berries, cherry, dried flowers, anise and baking spices. Pliant, silky red berry flavors display good depth and gentle sweetness, with a late note of fennel adding complexity. Finishes with good juicy persistence and lingering minerality. Dry enough to work by itself but has the power to handle richer, grilled foods" 88/100 Tanzer

2005 Muga Reserva Selecion Especial

muga, Rioja, Spain

Just arrived- top, top class Rioja. "The 2005 Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial is made from older vineyards and aged longer in barrel. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an alluring perfume of sandalwood, pencil lead, incense, espresso, black cherry, and blackberry. Dense, rich, structured, and savory, on the palate spice notes and terroir aromas make an appearance leading to a pure, 45-second finish. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2035."93/100 Parker

2006 Borsao Selection Crianza ( Red Label )

Agricola de Borja, Rioja, Spain

Buying wine made from from old vine mountain grown grenache at this price is amazing and its rated in Wine Spectators Top 100 Wine Values of 2008. It comes from Campo de Borja in South East Spain. These bush vines yield less than two tons per acre and are blended with low yielding Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. "The 2006 Crianza Seleccion is purple-colored with a fragrant nose of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black currant. Smooth-textured, savory, and ripe, it has excellent depth, concentration, and length. It will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2010 to 2016." 89/100 Parker

2006 El Seque Alicante

Artadi, Rioja, Spain

A new winery owned by Artadi and magnificantly packaged in a wooden 6 pack box- a great gift idea. This is 80% old vine mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 10% Tempranillo and spends 14 months in French oak. It is from a 40 hectre high altitude vineyard from the Alicante region in Spain. Artardi has revitalised an old vineyard on limestone soils in this up and coming area . Similar in style to wines in Bandol in Provence. While they are big wines in their youth they soften out into almost Burgundian like complexity with age. " Vivid ruby. Deep blackcurrant and blackberry aromas are complicated by smoked meat, iron and mocha. Fresh dark berry flavors offer impressive depth and clarity, with supple tannins and a kick of zesty minerals. Gains energy with air, finishing with excellent flavor definition and sappy persistence. This really expanded in the glass, suggesting that it will reward patience."92/100 Tanzer

2008 Atteca Garnacha de Fuego

SPAIN OTHER, Spain

Due beginning of June. This is one of our most popular Spanish reds and delivers unbelievable value for money. 'The grapes for this new project were sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines whose already low yields were reduced an additional 70% by the weather conditions of the vintage. A glass-coating opaque purple, remarkably deep for a wine of this price made from Garnacha, the wine offers a nose of brooding black cherry and blueberry. Concentrated, ripe, and balanced on the palate, this flavorful, lengthy effort will drink well over the next four years. It is an outstanding value' 89/100 Parker. "Bright purple. Smoky blackberry and blueberry on the nose, with subtle spice and floral qualities adding interest. Fleshy and sweet, with deep dark berry preserve flavors, supple texture and bright mineral lift. More than simply a fruit bomb, but this wine's berry flavors are impressively forceful. Finishes with very good, spicy persistence and a lingering blueberry quality. A gift at the price." 89/100 Tanzer

2008 Wrongo Dongo

Jumilla - Other, Jumilla, Spain

Old vine mourvedre from a hillside vineyard in Jumila at 700m above sea level where the temperature variation goes from 15c during the winter days and -2 at night to summer days of 35c and 10-15c at night ( the perfect variations for grape cultivation ). The vineyards has a foot deep of chalky stones over a substrata of sandy soil. This is a steal at $20. "More righto than wrongo, it may have a silly name but this 100% mourvedre made from 45 yr old vines is a serious bargain with its rich and velvety but fresh blackberry fruit, earthy and leathery notes and lick of spice and liquorice. A brilliant barbeque wine." NZ Herald. " Inky ruby. Smoky blackberry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of cracked pepper and dried flowers; smells like a syrah. Firm, focused dark fruit flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up slightly bitter tannins. The finish repeats the blackberry note, leaving a zesty, peppery quality behind. Lots of bang for the buck here." S.Tanzer

2008 Vinos Pinol Raig de Rain

This was a huge hit at the European Wine Experience because of its standout 'bang for your buck' value. The winery Vinos Pinol is located in the town of Bateawhich is 45 miles south of Barcelona in the high mountains of Tarragona- 1300 ft above the Mediterranean sea. The Terra Alta region is located next to Priorat, enjoying the same climate conditions and altitude as the Priorat wine region. The vineyards of Vinos Pinol are composed of slate with small particles of clay in the topsoil and small particles of limestone in its subsoil. This wine is from low yielding older vines, in organically grown vineyards. It is a blend of grenache, syrah, cabernet and merlot aged for 4 months. Rich, bold and smooth- all the ingredients of modern Spanish winemaking but with that European twist of earthiness and mineral aromas.

2008 Paso a Paso Tempranillo

SPAIN OTHER, Spain

Sensationally priced Spanish red from vines over 40yrs old!. "The Paso a Paso Tinto ( this used to be called Mano a Mano ) is 100% Tempranillo sourced from vineyards averaging 40 years of age. Opaque violet. Musky cherry-cola and plum aromas are complemented by notes of cured tobacco and cracked pepper. Tangy minerality adds verve to chewy dark fruit flavors, with a brighter raspberry note emerging with aeration. Finishes with solid grip and an echo of pepper. Serve this with a piece of grilled lamb" Tanzer