The Artisan Collection

We are very excited to announce that in the May issue of Wine Enthusiast, Michael Schachner gives Melipal’s 2012 Malbec a 91 point rating! He describes it as “balanced and considerate” with “aromas of maple, graphite and raw wood atop blackberry and boysenberry.” You can read the full review here.

We were excited to read about New York Food Journal's recent visit to La Rioja and, specifically, to the beautiful Bodegas Baigorri!  We are even more excited to be visiting this winery again in a few weeks!  The winery was built on the side of a hill with breathtaking views of the region.   All the work with the grapes and the wine is done by gravity and, because everything is glass, you get an amazing view of the wine making process!  Read more about Bodegas Baigorri here! 

As we prepare for our annual trip to Spain we thought we could use a quick refresher on terminology.

One of our suppliers, Felix Callejo, in Ribera Del Duero, makes superb wines, including Roble,  Crianza,  Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.  Below are some examples from this winery:

 Roble: A roble wine has oak barrel aging for about 4-6 months.  Flores de Callejo is a perfect example!

        Crianza: A crianza wine must be aged at least 2 years, with one year in barrels.

        Reserva: A reserva wine must be aged for 3 years, with at least one year in barrels.

    Gran Reserva: A Gran Reserva has been aged for at least 5 years with  2 years in oak barrels.

Wine writer Randy Fuller recently had the opportunity to taste our Santiago Palo Cortado Sherry. In his article on "Now and Zin Wine," he starts with: Wine is easy. Sherry is Difficult." He does a fantastic job of explaining and highlighting the complexities of Sherry, with a focus on our Palo Cortado.  Below is an excerpt from his article. 

"The wine looks great - the amber color of bourbon or a Newcastle Brown.  That deep color makes for high expectations in other areas, and those expectations are met.  There is a fair amount of alcohol on the nose, but wafting in and out - like the sound of a distant marching band on a windy day - are luscious fragrances of brown sugar, burnt caramel and dried raisins.  Now, high expectations are set for the palate.  If this is your first experience with Palo Cortado, the aromas may lead you to expect a very sweet drink, which is not the case.   The sherry is far less viscous than might be expected and quite dry, with none of the flavors having anything to do with the sweet aromas coming from the glass.  It drinks more like a spirit than a wine, with a strong nutty flavor and just an idea of raisins and caramel behind it. The big story, though, is the acidity.  It zips across the tongue in racy fashion and really makes itself know in the throat, on the way down.  I have always heard sherry referred to as a sipping wine, or a cooking wine.  This one is a pairing wine.  The notes of chestnut and hazelnut are great with pork or even some herb goat cheese on a wheat cracker.  The acidity helps it mate with just about anything you could throw at it.  I'd have it with a steak, no problem.  A big, old-Vegas kind of steak."

Shopping for any wine can be daunting, especially if you’re considering options you haven’t tried before. Whether you are trying to avoid the heavy price tag of Champagne or are just interested in trying something new, there is a quality choice to be found on the shelves. Not all that glitters is gold, but the sound of a cork popping from a chilled bottle of sparkling wine rivals the sound of a baby laughing or an angel singing, so get out there and explore! 

If the “real deal” Champagne is what you’re after, ask the sales person if they have a Champagne from a smaller, boutique house.  We do and are rarely disappointed.  (Below were some great small producers we recently tried and loved!)

What is Cava, any way?

Slowly getting more shelf real estate, you may recognize the word “Cava” neighboring some of your go-to choices of Champagne, Prosecco, or Asti Spumante. Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine with very similar traits to Champagne (secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle as is the case with Champagne).  A well-made Cava has a great balance of fruit and creaminess. 

The quality to price ratio for Cava is excellent; some $20 Cavas can drink better than some $50 Champagnes.

Top Picks: Covides Gran Gesta Brut Reserva (90 points, Wine Enthusiast), Lacueva Brut Reserva Methode Traditionelle

Italian Sparkling Wines: Prosecco and (Asti) Spumante

Prosecco and Cava outsell Champagne in volume. When you order a cocktail with a sparkling wine in it, there’s a very good chance they’ve used Prosecco.  It’s emphasis on fruit and larger bubbles help the elements of the cocktail come together.  Prosecco is a great choice on its own as well, especially if your tastes favor more fruit. 

Spumante, the most often seen is Asti Spumante, tends to be a bit sweeter but is made more similarly to Champagne than is Prosecco. Asti Spumante is made from Moscato grapes.

Top Pick: Prosecco from Forchir.

Over the summer, we enjoyed a memorable visit to Sidra Fran, the producer of Ramos del Valle traditional Asturian Cider.  Sidra Fran is located in the very north of Asturias, 45 minutes away from Redes Natural Park.  We were fortunate to stay in a beautifully situated eco-hotel (Tierra Del Aqua) at the top of a traditional village in the natural park.

Sidra Fran, in its third generation of family ownership and operation, was founded in 1918. Among the five siblings currently running Sidra Fran is lead cider maker Roberto Ramos.

First, Roberto gave us a tour of the Sidra Fran “Sidreria.” This is the name given to a traditional restaurant that serves cider and food.  Traditionally, guests served themselves cider from huge wooden barrels with spigots at one end of the Sidreria.  

     Next, we visited the fermentation facility.  The term for the cider production building in Spanish is “lagar.”  This is similar to the word for winery. Roberto explained to us that each lagar has its own distinctive smell due to its own unique, naturally occurring yeasts that are used to ferment the cider.   The fermentation is completely natural, and the cider is not filtered, resulting in a cloudy appearing natural product that is less than 7% alcohol.  

    We ended the tour with a visit to some of the apple orchards.  Did you know that Asturias has more than 800 varieties of native apples, which are used to make cider? Additionally, because the cider is all-natural, there is very little residual sugar (<2grams/liter) and is 100% gluten free.

                    A lesson on drinking traditional Spanish cider:

  Whether straight from the barrel or from a bottle, cider should be “escandiada” or poured from an altitude into the glass to create the pleasant natural oxygenation.  Additionally, only a few sips (a “culin”) should be poured at a time for maximum enjoyment.   

      Some traditional foods that we had in Asturias include oven-roasted baby lamb and traditional Asturian bean stew. Below we’ve even included a recipe for traditional Asturian cider sangria for your Autumn enjoyment.

"Secret" Spanish Hard Cider Sangria Recipe

(Courtesy of Carmen at the Hotel Tierra Del Agua, Asturias, Spain)  

Fantastic Portuguese wines by Scott Greenberg in WTOP fm, Mar2014

Wine Enthusiast  "Best Of The Year 2013"

The Artisan Collection had two wines on the Wine Enthusiast "Best Of The Year 2013" list receive ratings of 90 points or above.  Below, see the complete review and rating for each.

Cicchitti 2011 Blend Malbec-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Merlot 91 Points (Mendoza). Cola and berry aromas start out rocky but become earthier and richer with time.  This is chubby and ripe, with a hard level of extraction. Blackberry, mocha and coffee flavors finish with a note of chocolate, and with tons of fruit and proper balance, this is easy to like.

The holidays are a wonderful excuse to indulge. ‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry, right?  The Artisan Collection knows there are many reasons to be thankful during this season. We can't help but be thankful for the delicious wines we have to pair with our favorite holiday meals. Whatever the traditional fare, we can recommend a pairing to make the most of a holiday meal. There is really no better time of the year to bring out your favorites. 

Should something spark your interest, each pairing is linked to a recipe.

Starters:

Champagne and sparkling wine can be the perfect way to open your meal, wonderfully complimenting appetizers like bruschetta, oysters, deviled eggs, prosciutto wrapped...well, anything can be wrapped in prosciutto, but let’s say asparagus, and, of course, assorted cheeses, etc. You get the picture.

Try Sherry’s Holiday Favorite: Salmon roe with sour cream and blinis served with Gran Gesta Rosé or Daniel Dumont Brut Rosé 1er Cru 91 points. Not only does this combination taste heavenly, but it's also an aesthetic marvel with complimentary rose tones.

Main Dishes:

There are so many variations on traditional holiday meals that we could not begin to cover them all.  Below, we have provided pairings for a few "go-tos" we know are bound to cross tables.

Red Meat: Roast Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream paired with Punset Barbaresco 93 Points (Top 100 WS 2012)

Try Ashley's Holiday Favorite: Herb Crusted Prime Rib paired with Felix Callejo Seleccion 95 points. This powerful, well-structured wine stands up to a hearty prime rib.

Roasted Turkey/Poultry: Roast Turkey with Prosciutto-Hazelnut Crust paired with Callejo Reserva 93+ points

Ham: Old-Fashioned Holiday Glazed Ham with Wohlmuth Riesling Altenberg

Fish: Cioppino (Italian inspired fish stew) paired with Melipal Malbec Rosé

Dessert:

Holiday pumpkin and apple desserts seem to be most popular along with assorted holiday cookies and pastries that are always crowd pleasers. 

The International Wine Review November/December Issue published “Report #39: The World of Grenache.” The Artisan Collection is proud to have nine of our wines receive stand out ratings. Please read more below:

Christian Leperchois 2011 Lunar Apogé Lirac Red 90+ pts

The Lunar Apogé 2011 Lirac Red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah. It reveals meaty, dark red fruit on the nose with hints of garrigue and truffles. It has ripe flavors on the palate with a velvet elegant texture, firm tannins and a pleasant finish. A delicious wine from low yielding, biodynamic mountain vineyards.

Christian Leperchois 2011 Lunar Apogé Cotes du Rhone 88 pts

The 2011 Lunar Apogé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. It offers aromas of blackberry fruit and herbs. It is medium weight and has a silky texture with good fruit intensity and firm tannins on the finish. Certified biodynamic and organic.

Coca I Fito 2012 Jaspi Maragda Montsant 88+ pts

The 2012 Jaspi Maragda is a blend of 55% Garnatxa, 25% Carinena, and 20% Syrah. It is sourced from 30 year-old vines and is aged for six months in French and American oak. Medium ruby in color it is light-bodied with aromas 
of dried cherry and oak on the nose. It offers a palate of red berry fruit with some earthy nuances, good acidity and firm dry tannins on the finish.

Coca I Fito 2010 Jaspi Negri Montsant 90 pts

The 2010 Jaspi Negri is a blend of 45% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah. It displays red fruit and vanilla notes on the nose and has a lush palate revealing pure dark red fruit, good purity and length and firm, ripe tannins. Very good.

Vinicola del Priorat 2011 Onix Classic Priorat 90 pts

The 2011 Onix Classic exhibits a dark ruby color and aro- mas of plum with hints of earth and meat. A blend of 50% Cariñena and 50% Garnacha, it is soft and lush on the palate with round firm tannins and a solid finish.

Vinicola del Priorat 2011 Clos Gebrat Priorat 91 pts

The 2011 Clos Gebrat is a delicious blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Cariñena, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an earthy mineral nose, a soft texture, and spicy dark red fruit flavors. It is rich with balsamic and mineral notes and is beautifully balanced and almost unctuous on the finish.

Vinicola del Priorat 2011 Onix Fusió Priorat 91 pts

Fusió is a lovely blend of 40% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena, and 40% Syrah. Sourced from 60+ year old vines, it displays dark red fruit and herbs with hints of earth and minerals. Aged four months in new French oak, it is soft and lush on the palate with ripe dark plum fruit, excellent balance, and a long finish.

Bodega Quo 2011 Quo Campo de Borja 89 pts

Dark ruby. Rich and concentrated black plum with outstanding purity of flavor. Light toasted oak and a hint of earth and licorice. Soft and velvet smooth with acidity plus, firm round tannins and dark fruit flavors on the finish. Well done. Great value.

Bodega Quo 2011 Old Vines Grenache Campo de Borja 90 pts

The Artisan Collection is proud to offer a portfolio with stand out ratings such as these from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

Issue 170: September/October 2013 New Releases from Spain

Reviewed by Josh Raynolds

Bodegas Altanza

2010 Bodegas Altanza Lealtanza Rioja Crianza 90 points

Deep ruby. Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas are complemented by tobacco and candied rose. Smooth and open-knit, offering plush dark berry and smoked meat flavors with a hint of cocoa powder. Clings nicely on the finish, with the cherry and smoke notes repeating. There's just enough wildness here to appeal to fans of old-school Rioja.

2009 Bodegas Altanza Lealtanza Rioja Reserva 91 points

Deep ruby. Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the fragrant nose. Fleshy dark berry flavors pick up a refreshing bitterness with air, along with notes of vanilla and licorice. Zesty mineral and cracked pepper nuances add bite to the finish, which is firm by smooth, even tannins. Very attractive now but this wine has the concentration to repay patience.

2008 Bodegas Altanza Club Lealtanza Reserva Rioja 91 points

(100% tempranillo): Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, potpourri and vanilla, with a smoky topnote. Sweet and penetrating, offering juicy raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors and a bracing mineral quality that adds lift and focus. The smoke and floral notes repeat on the lively finish, which features silky tannins and a touch of spicecake.

2008 Bodegas Altanza Artistas Jiaying He Rioja Reserva 92 points

Inky ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented dark berry scents are complicated by notes of licorice and cured tobacco, with a vanilla nuance gaining strength with air. Smooth and open-knit, offering sweet blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of mocha. Velvety tannins come on late and give shape to the impressively long, smoky, fruit-driven finish.

2005 Bodegas Altanza Lealtanza Gran Reserva Rioja 92 points

(all tempranillo that spent two years in French and American oak): Bright ruby. Pungent red fruits, pipe tobacco and cedary oak on the highly perfumed nose. Smoky and sweet in the mouth, offering intense raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors and a hint of mocha. Supple tannins come on late and add shape to the finish, which echoes the mocha, oak and cherry notes.

Bodegas Baigorri

2012 Bodegas Baigorri Blanco Fermentado en Barrica Rioja 91 (+?) points

(a blend of viura and malvasia): Bright yellow. Powerful, oak-spiced aromas of poached pear, yellow plum and lemon curd, with a potent vanilla quality emerging with air. Emphatically oaky right now but this deeply flavored wine offers intense orchard and citrus fruit flavors that pick up sweetness with air. Closes with firm grip, echoing smokiness and lingering candied citrus fruit notes. Oak-o-phobes will shun this wine right now but from past experience I'm confident that the fruit is up to the lumber.

2011 Bodegas Baigorri Blanco Fermentado en Barrica Rioja 91 points

Light yellow. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of poached pear, melon and honey. Silky and gently sweet on the palate, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors braced by zesty minerality. Nicely combines richness and vivacity, finishing smoky, tangy and long.

2010 Bodegas Baigorri Garnacha Rioja 91 points

Opaque ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of red fruit liqueur and potpourri. Round, seamless and appealingly sweet, offering intense raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors and a hint of mocha. Supple tannins come on late and add shape to the long, smooth, emphatically fruity finish. There seems to be ample fruit here for the wine to age but it's pretty sexy right now.

2009 Bodegas Baigorri Rioja Crianza 90 points

Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Smooth, sweet and round, with a bitter cherry quality carrying through a long smoke- and spice-accented finish that's framed by dusty tannins. Young but quite suave after an hour or so in a decanter.

2009 Bodegas Baigorri Vino de Garage Rioja 92 points

Inky ruby. Sexy, intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry and cherry-cola, with oak-spice and incense nuances adding complexity. Sweet, concentrated and expansive, offering vibrant red and dark berry flavors that show both power and finesse. Finishes on a spicy note, with excellent clarity, smooth tannins and a late kick of allspice.

2009 Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri B70 Rioja 93 points

Opaque ruby. Explosive aromas of dark berry liqueur, vanilla, smoky Indian spices and potpourri. Sweet, round and expansive, offering palate-staining, oak-tinged black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a sexy note of candied lavender. Gains weight with air but maintains a vivacious character and finishes sweet, gently tannic and impressively long. Thoroughly modern but extremely enjoyable in its extroverted, flamboyant manner.

2008 Bodegas Baigorri Rioja Reserva 91 points

(went through malo and aged for 18 months in new French oak): Inky ruby. A heady, smoky bouquet evokes candied dark berries, cherry-cola, mocha and cured tobacco. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering intense dark fruit and vanilla flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Closes sweet, spicy and long, with supple tannins and a hint of candied rose.

2008 Bodegas Baigorri Belus Rioja 90 points

Deep ruby. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco, vanilla and rose oil on the fragrant nose. Smooth and open-knit, offering ripe red fruit flavors with hints of smoky herbs and mocha. Becomes sweeter with air and finishes with attractive floral pastille and vanilla notes and supple tannins that add grip.

2008 Bodegas Baigorri Vino de Garage Rioja 92 points

Inky ruby. Explosive aromas of blackcurrant, vanilla and smoky, nutty oak, plus a suggestion of mocha. Dense, broad and palate-coating, with sweet dark berry flavors complicated by notes of candied flowers and vanilla bean. Finishes with building, supple tannins, an echo of sweet dark fruits and outstanding persistence. Definitely in a modern style but I find this wine very seductive.

2008 Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri B70 Rioja 92 points

(virtually all very old-vines tempranillo, with bits and pieces of graciano, garnacha and mazuelo): Saturated ruby. Heady aromas of red berries, rose oil, vanilla and spicecake. Fleshy and ripe on entry, then bright and lively in the mid-palate, showing impressive depth and vivacity to its spicy redcurrant and cherry-vanilla flavors. This seductively sweet, fleshy, focused Rioja finishes very long and silky, with lingering vanilla and spice notes.

2007 Bodegas Baigorri Rioja Reserva 90 points

Glass-staining ruby. Blackberry preserves and cherry-cola on the perfumed nose, with a sexy vanilla nuance building with aeration. Broad, supple and nicely concentrated for the vintage, with sweet dark berry liqueur and mocha flavors and a bitter cherry skin quality that adds firmness. This open-knit, succulent wine finishes with a suave blend of sweet fruit and smoky oak.

Besadien

2010 Besadien Ribera del Duero 90 points

Saturated ruby. Aromas of cherry, blackberry and spicy oak, plus a smoky overtone. Smooth, sweet and expansive, offering pliant dark fruit flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. Shows good energy on the youthfully tannic finish, with the smoke and cherry notes repeating.

2009 Besadien Ribera del Duero Reserva 91 points

Opaque ruby. Smoky dark berries and Indian spices on the perfumed nose. Plush and open-knit, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors and a hint of fruitcake. The smoky quality comes back on the very persistent finish, which features smooth tannins and lingering floral and berry compote notes.

2009 Besadien Ribera del Duero Premium 92 points

Opaque ruby. Heady, exotically perfumed aromas of dark fruit liqueur, smoky oak andincense. Then sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors and a hint of licorice. Vanillin oak and floral pastille qualities linger on the finish, which features smooth tannins and a hint of clove.

Bodegas Carmen Rodriguez

2010 Bodegas Carmen Rodriguez Carodorum Seleccion Especial Toro 92 points

(100% new French oak): Opaque purple. Heady, exotically perfumed aromas of candied dark berries, incense and vanilla, with a smoky topnote. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering sweet blueberry and cherry-cola flavors and an undercurrent of minerality. Really stains the palate and finishes sweet, supple and long, with sneaky tannins and a hint of licorice.

2010 Bodegas Carmen Rodriguez Carodorum CR Toro 91 points

(aged for 15 months in French oak): Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of dark berry preserves, anise and spicy, vanillin oak, with a smoky overtone. Supple and open-knit, offering sweet blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Soft tannins give shape to the finish, which leaves notes of woodsmoke, vanilla and dark berry compote behind.

Bodegas Felix Callejo 

2010 Bodegas Felix Callejo Seleccion de Vinedos de la Familia Ribera Del Duero 94 points

Inky ruby. Explosive scents of blueberry, cherry-vanilla and cassis, with a floral pastille topnote. Broad, deep and concentrated, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors complemented by Indian spices, vanilla and bitter chocolate. Really stains the palate, with bright acidity contributing lift and clarity. This rich, dense but surprisingly lively wine finishes with superb power and lingering sweetness.

2010 Bodegas Felix Callejo Majuelos de Callejo Ribera del Duero 92 points

Bright purple. Sexy dark berry and violet pastille scents, along with notes of cola, spicy oak and mocha. Sweet and expansive on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering intense blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors with a hint of allspice. A smoky nuance comes up on the seamless, sweet, very long finish.

2010 Bodegas Felix Callejo Ribera del Duero Crianza 91 points

(all French oak): Bright violet color. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant scents are brightened by peppery spices and smoky minerals. Juicy, penetrating, appealingly sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors show very good energy and pick up a floral quality with air. Finishes with slow- mounting tannins and lingering rose and dark berry qualities.

Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo

2012 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Val de Paxarinas Blanco Bierzo 91 points

(85% godello and 15% dona blanca): Pale gold. Vibrant, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit aromas and flavors, with a sexy floral nuance adding complexity. At once fleshy and racy, offering bitter citrus pith and honeysuckle flavors sharpened by a gingery nuance. Closes with excellent clarity and length, leaving a chalky mineral note behind. This racy, youthful wine will be even better with a year or two of additional bottle age.

2007 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Herencia del Capricho Blanco Bierzo 91 points

(virtually all godello, with a bit of dona blanca; raised in 100% new French oak): Bright yellow- gold. Exotic scents of poached pear and orange pith, with vanilla and marzipan notes adding depth. Smooth and broad in the mouth, offering dried orchard fruit and buttered toast flavors and a bracing jolt of bitter citrus zest. Distinctly rich white wine with strong closing punch and lingering smokiness. Pretty wild and singular stuff, and far removed from the typically racy white wines of the region.

2011 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Gancedo Mencia Bierzo 90 points

Vivid ruby. Perfumed aromas of black raspberry, cola, licorice and vanilla, with a bright mineral overtone. Lively, sharply focused dark berry flavors stretch out and deepen with air, showing an appealing sweetness and no excess fat. Finishes silky and long, with resonating spiciness and supple tannins.

2010 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Gancedo Mencia Bierzo 91 points

Bright violet color. Vibrant floral aromas of red and dark berries, cherry and rhubarb, with a deeper licorice nuance emerging with air. Bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors show very good focus and sneaky sweetness on the back half. Finishes with firm, tangy bite and strong persistence, leaving a sexy rose pastille note behind.

2008 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Xestal Bierzo 91 points

Bright violet color. Intense smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berries, cherry pit and violet. Spicy, incisive blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are sweetened by a vanilla quality and show very good clarity and lift. Gains weight with air, along with a licorice nuance that carries through the long, sweet, youthfully tannic finish.

2007 Bodegas y Vinedos Gancedo Xestal Bierzo 91 points

(made from bush vines that are between 58 and 100 years of age): Opaque ruby. Smoky, spice- tinged aromas of dark berry liqueur and cola, with a subtle mineral quality gaining strength with air. Lively and sharply focused on entry, then fleshier and broader in the middle, offering sweet blackberry and cherry-cola flavors and a touch of allspice. Finishes sweet, silky and long, with soft tannins adding shape. This estate's 2007 Ucedo, which I scored 92 points last year, is showing extremely well right now, offering sexy floral and dark berry qualities and a vibrant mineral nuance that I didn't detect last year. It's delicious now but I suspect it will continue to drink well over at least the next few years.

Jordi Miro

2012 Jordi Miro Garnatxa Negra Maceracio Carbonica Terra Alta 90 points

Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes wild red berries, incense and spicecake. Tangy, focused and light on its feet, offering zesty strawberry and redcurrant flavors and notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Closes with strong lift and nervy cut, leaving a sexy floral note behind.

2012 Jordi Miro Garnatxa Blanca Maceracio Pelicular Terra Alta 90 points

Bright gold. Poached pear, honey and musky herbs on the perfumed nose. Lush, creamy and dense, offering an array of orchard and pit fruit flavors and a bracing jolt of bitter lemon pith. Pretty wild stuff, finishing with strong punch and persistent floral, anise and sweet butter qualities. This one is bound to freak a few people out.

Bodegas Merum

2011 Bodegas Merum Monastrell Seleccion Jumilla 90 points

Inky purple. Sexy, oak-spicy dark berry and cola aromas are complicated by violet, woodsmoke and cracked pepper. Spicy, penetrating and lithe for its power, offering zesty blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of floral pastilles. A smoky mineral note adds bite to the finish, which features silky tannins and touch of licorice.

Bodegas Ramon Ramos

2001 Bodegas Ramon Ramos Monte Toro Seleccion Toro Reserva 92 points

(made from vines that are reportedly between 50 and 70 years of age; aged for 20 months in French and American oak): Inky ruby. Flamboyant aromas of black and blue fruits and spicy oak, with notes of vanilla, anise and cigar box adding complexity. Plush and open-knit, offering expansive blueberry and cherry-vanilla flavors lifted by gentle acidity. Picks up a smoky quality with aeration and finishes long, sweet and smooth, with no obvious tannins. Still in extremely fine shape for a 12-year-old wine.

2000 Bodegas Ramon Ramos Monte Toro Reserva de la Familia Toro Gran Reserva 92 points

Deep red. Complex scents of dried red fruits, pipe tobacco, incense and woodsmoke. Smooth, sweet and smoky on the palate, offering sweet cherry and rose pastille flavors complicated by vanilla and mocha. Fully mature and rather decadent, finishing with no obvious tannins and oak- derived notes of smoky herbs, espresso, vanilla bean and carob.

Bodegas San Prudencio

2006 Bodegas San Prudencio Cueto Rioja Reserva 90 points

(aged for 24 months in new French oak): Deep ruby. High-pitched redcurrant and cherry aromas are complemented by candied rose and vanilla. Pliant and sweet, offering lively red fruit flavors complicated by mocha and sweet chewing tobacco. Closes smoky, sweet and long, with supple tannins and a hint of dark chocolate.

Bodegas y Vinedos Tardencuba

2007 Bodegas y Vinedos Tardencuba Valnuevo Seleccion Toro 92 points