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| Join us this Saturday to try some delicious wines from Spain. Some of the wines are new faces in town and others are new vintages of old favorites. All are full bodied, interesting wines. You shouldn’t miss the chance to try them while they are open. |
| 2007 Castellana, Rueda, Pampano $11 |
| Verdejo 60% Viura 40%. Located on a high altitude, 2400 feet plateau where the low fertility of the soil and the scarce rains combine to produce low yields but highly concentrated grapes . Agricola Castellana makes the Pampano using only native yeasts. The wine is fermented in temperature controlled vats. The wine sits on its lees for 3 months before bottling, adding richness and texture. The Pampano has scents of honeysuckle, fresh bay, lemon and white pepper. Its juicy citrus and apple flavors are complemented by notes of spice and minerals. |
| 2005 Capcanes, Montsant, Mas Donis $12 |
| 85% Garnacha, 15% Syrah The Mas Donis is made from very old vines (80+ years for the Garnacha, and 30+ years for the Syrah) . It is aged for 8 months in French and American oak before bottling without fining or filtration. The wine has exotic aromas of liquored cherry and spicy cake that blend with ripe and nicely concentrated fruit flavor and sweet tannins. The Wine Advocate gave the Mas Donis 91 pts. “Layered, long, and complex, this spicy, hedonistic effort has 2-3 years of aging potential but can be enjoyed now without guilt. It is a great value” |
| 2005 Tomas Cusine, Costers del Segres, Vilosell $16 |
| From the village El Vilosell, where the cellar is located, the Vilosell is a blend of 50% Tempranillo, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Garnacha, and 5% Syrah. The vineyards, which sit at 2100 feet above sea level, are sustainably farmed. The wine is aged 9 months in 225 liter French oak barrels. The Wine Advocate gave it 91 points -- “it reveals a fragrant array of scents including pepper, spice box, smoke, blackberry, black currant, and blueberry pie. Plush in texture, the wine is full-bodied, with layers of spicy fruit, intense flavors, and well-concealed tannins. Drink this superb value now and over the next 6-8 years.” |
| 2006 Mas del Frares, Priorat $20 |
| 50% Cariñena, and 50% Grenache from 30 year old vines. Priorat is a remarkably scenic region with steep mountains rising to over 3300 ft. The climate is harshly continental with very hot and dry summers and very cold winters. The vines are planted directly on the steep hillsides, what is called "coster" locally, or in terraces. Small lots and the steep hills prevent mechanization in many cases and all work must be done by hand. Llicorella, the name given to the soil in Priorat, is a dark brown slate that sparkles in the sun. The surface of it is unusually dry and the vine roots are forced to tunnel through faults in the slate. The result is extremely low yields of amazingly concentrated grapes rich in mineral aromas and flavors. The Mas del Frares undergoes a 28 day maceration. It has a beautiful dark cherry color, Beautifully aromatic, with floral, berry and spice scents, Elegant on the palate, with intense berry flavors supported by unobtrusive but firm tannins. |
| 2006 Carmen Rodriguez, Toro, Caro Dorum Issos $25 |
| 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from 25 year old vines, The family of Guiller Diez had been growing grapes in Toro for generations but he is the first formal winemaker in the family. The small estate has 16 hectors in small plots southeast from Toro. This part of Zamora is one of the very few places in Spain where Phylloxera could never take hold. The Caro Dorum uses only grapes that come from ungrafted vines that are more than 100 years old. Guiller continues to take care of the vines in the same way his ancestors did-- without pesticides or fertilizers; all organic matter is re-used; the soil is plowed without machines; by hand in some cases, the grapes are hand-picked. The wine is aged 9 months in French Oak casks then bottled unfiltered. The Caro Dorum Issos is dark ruby. with aromas of baking spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) over round smooth fruit. The sweet dark berry flavors show excellent depth and are gently supported by broad, velvety tannins and finishes with impressive persistence. |