Wines
of the Week: Red Sips from Spain
If
you love a somewhat hearty red and a good value, then Spanish
wines are well worth exploring. They often have a nice balance
of fruity and savory flavors, and more times than not, they
over deliver for their price tags. Here are a handful our tasting
panel sampled recently. Cheers!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cune
2013 Rioja Reserva
Winery:
Cune
Grape(s): 85%
Tempranillo,15% Garnacha, Graciano & Mazuelo.
Region: Spain
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A mix of plum and cherry aromas is accented by nuances
of leather, spice, and herbs on the nose. The palate reveals
flavors of plums, cherries, and boysenberries that unfold
into suggestions of earth, white pepper, and anise. Supple
tannins and balanced flavors endear this wine to your
favorite Indian dishes.
Rating: 90 |
|
Tarima
Hill 2016 Monastrell
Winery:
Tarima
Hill
Grape(s): Monastrell
Region: Alicante,
Spain
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
The nose brings together aromas of blueberries and black
cherries with elements of dark chocolate and herbs. A
sip delivers flavors of blueberry, cherry, and plum that
flow into undertones of spice, herbs, and dark chocolate.
Plush tannins and balanced fruit make this a wine to open
when serving your favorite meat pizza.
Rating: 90 |
|
Dominio
de Eguren 2016 Protocolo Tinto
Winery:
Dominio
de Eguren
Grape(s): Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 5-10
Review:
The nose is comprised of cherry and plum aromas, accented
by expressions of leather, clove, and vanilla. A sip delivers
flavors of raspberries, cherries, and red plums, alongside
notes of brown spice, vanilla, and white pepper. Offering
balanced tannins and a solid combo of fruity and savory
character, it's a good weeknight bargain.
Rating: 89 |
|
Casa
Castillo El Molar 2016 Jumilla
Winery:
Casa
Castillo El Molar
Grape(s): 100%
Granacha
Region: Jumilla,Spain
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A combination of plums, blackberries, and raspberries
comes together among expressions of pepper, anise, and
leather on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, cherry, and
plum unfold into nuances of licorice and spice. Bold and
a bit jammy, it's well suited to pair with spicy bean
or chicken burritos.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|