3/10/17 Galicia and Catalunya
FRIDAY SIPS
Autonomous Spain featuring wines from Galicia & Catalunya
Today, March 10 from 1:30 - 6:30
Autonomous Spain featuring wines from Galicia & Catalunya
Today, March 10 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by this today to go on a wild ride through two of Spain’s autonomous, secessionist regions with four wines that are from the most exciting areas of the country. This tasting will provide both knowledge, value (all are 20 and under) and will show just how good Spain is beyond Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
2014 RITME CELLER PRIORAT
'RITME NEGRE'
$19.99 BTL/$239.88 CASE
'RITME NEGRE'
$19.99 BTL/$239.88 CASE
Many of you have had the chance to experience the Montsant wines from our friend Albert Jane and his Acustic Celler. In 2010 Albert decided to expand his small operation to include wines from the vaunted Priorat region under the Ritme Celler name and in accordance to the Acustic wines, they are sublime both in quality and in price.
70% Samso (Carignan), 30% Garnatxa and a Priorat with class and vibrancy along with all of the classic slate-y aspects of Priorat. Seductive cinnamon notes creep through and are nicely enhanced by high-toned wild strawberry notes. Lacy and rather expansive with serious old-vine depth; rather crunchy fruit shows off well in the mouth. Lots of length on the impressive finish enhanced by flavors of wind-swept Mediterranean herbs as well. A wonderful expression of Priorat for a mere 20-spot and one where many publications list it at being $35. Drink this one now - 2021.
70% Samso (Carignan), 30% Garnatxa and a Priorat with class and vibrancy along with all of the classic slate-y aspects of Priorat. Seductive cinnamon notes creep through and are nicely enhanced by high-toned wild strawberry notes. Lacy and rather expansive with serious old-vine depth; rather crunchy fruit shows off well in the mouth. Lots of length on the impressive finish enhanced by flavors of wind-swept Mediterranean herbs as well. A wonderful expression of Priorat for a mere 20-spot and one where many publications list it at being $35. Drink this one now - 2021.
2014 CELLER PARDAS PENEDES NEGRE
'NEGRE FRANC'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
'NEGRE FRANC'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
Celler Penedes is a young operation in the Upper Penedes region located south of Barcelona. Founded in 1996 by Ramon Perera and Jordi Arnan, these guys are farming their 60+ acres on hillside terraces, making absolute authentic, organic wines that deliver ample quality and character for fair prices.
A red wine that virtually speaks the Catalan language, this wine is made with two non-native varietals, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with a dollop of the native Sumoll grape. Aged in French barrel, 20% new with the other 80% being second and third use, fragrant, direct scents of black cherry and balsamico combine beautifully with milk chocolate, aromatic herbs and freshly ground pepper. Hearty flavors that expand, yet maintain smoothness reverberate into a multi-faceted finish that is undoubtedly rooted in Catalan soil and spirit. Delicious now and over the next 4-7 years with lamb or grilled pork.
A red wine that virtually speaks the Catalan language, this wine is made with two non-native varietals, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with a dollop of the native Sumoll grape. Aged in French barrel, 20% new with the other 80% being second and third use, fragrant, direct scents of black cherry and balsamico combine beautifully with milk chocolate, aromatic herbs and freshly ground pepper. Hearty flavors that expand, yet maintain smoothness reverberate into a multi-faceted finish that is undoubtedly rooted in Catalan soil and spirit. Delicious now and over the next 4-7 years with lamb or grilled pork.
2015 D. VENTURA RIBERA SACRA
'VINA DO BURATO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'VINA DO BURATO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
The Galicia region of Ribera Sacra (sacred banks) is home to some of Spain's most exciting and unique wines. Working this land is extremely difficult with the terraces in some parts so steep that all the grapes are brought down using dumbwaiters.
100% Mencia from the single vineyard of Burato and with 80+ year vines, this is a unique, flavorful, detailed 12.5% alcohol red wine that is aged entirely in stainless steel tanks has plenty of impact. The result is a wine of dark red color and offering an intensely aromatic nose of red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The succulent and very soil-driven finish features a deeper cherry-pit quality and outstanding length. Drink this obscure, yet delicious offering through 2021 and pair it with a bevy of pork dishes, especially Jamon Serrano.
100% Mencia from the single vineyard of Burato and with 80+ year vines, this is a unique, flavorful, detailed 12.5% alcohol red wine that is aged entirely in stainless steel tanks has plenty of impact. The result is a wine of dark red color and offering an intensely aromatic nose of red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The succulent and very soil-driven finish features a deeper cherry-pit quality and outstanding length. Drink this obscure, yet delicious offering through 2021 and pair it with a bevy of pork dishes, especially Jamon Serrano.
2015 ALBAMAR ALBARIÑO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Alba del Mar (next to the sea) best describes this briny, saline Albariño made by Xurxo Alba Padín in the family winery (which had been producing albariño for generations) that he took over in 2006. Located in the subzone of O Salnés, the 6 hectares of vineyards average 25 years and are planted in sandy soil 50 meters from where the Ria de Arosa flows into the Atlantic.
Fresh fruit aromas of apricot and peach slices with notes of lemon and green apple. Mighty oceanic tones really emerge as the wine unfolds in the glass. Moving over to the texture, it is bracingly bone dry and pleasantly invigorating with prominent lemon, brine and very stony flavors that really blitz the palate. This is a classic albarino, which is wonderful young, but actually improves over two to three years. As I have stated time and time again, this is a wine that is a magnet to pair with just about any sea creature.
Fresh fruit aromas of apricot and peach slices with notes of lemon and green apple. Mighty oceanic tones really emerge as the wine unfolds in the glass. Moving over to the texture, it is bracingly bone dry and pleasantly invigorating with prominent lemon, brine and very stony flavors that really blitz the palate. This is a classic albarino, which is wonderful young, but actually improves over two to three years. As I have stated time and time again, this is a wine that is a magnet to pair with just about any sea creature.
