El Miracle Planet 2011

SWIC score: 86 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Blackberries, cinnamon, dairy, fruity, pleasant.

Available: QC (SAQ 11184941 - $ 13.85)

 

Winery: Vicente Gandía 

Region: D.O. Alicante (Com. Valenciana)

Varieties: 100% Monastrell

Ageing: 3 months in American oak

Alcohol level: 13.5% alc./vol.

El Miracle Planet is an organic 100% Monastrell wine, which tries to be as respectful with the environment as possible. The use of organically grown Monastrell grapes -the most characteristic red variety in the southeastern part of Spain- and natural cultivation techniques ensures the genuineness of the product. Founded in 1885, Bodegas Vicente Gandía is considered the biggest Comunidad Valenciana winery. Their goal is creating strong character wines, linked to the land where they are born. This wine shows a pretty interesting complexity on the nose, with a mainly fruity character and some sweet spice hints. It is straight and easy to drink, well adapted to most tapas as well as a wide range of meat dishes.

Vintage tasted: 2011 (February 2013)

Salmos 2009

SWIC score: 90 (IFS)

Tasting notes: Ripen fruit, anise, cacao, smooth, direct.

Available:

QC (SAQ 10857690 - $ 30.50)

SK (SL 7286 - $ 32.99)

MB (LM 5435 - $ 36.10)

NS (NSLC 1016118 - $ 41.99)

BC (Everything Wine - $ 44.99)

Winery: Torres

Region: D.O.Q. Priorat (Catalunya)

Varieties: Cariñena, Red Garnacha, Syrah

Ageing: 16 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 13.5% alc./vol.

Torres family began its Priorat project since 1996, by acquiring several estates there. Some years later, they launched Salmos as its main bet for this appealing region. Nowadays, Torres owns a brand new winery close to the town of El Lloar, where the Cariñena and Garnacha grapes are carefully vinified by Mireia Torres in order to produce only high quality wines. The goal is making products which express the typical minerality and elegance of this highly valued region. Salmos 2009 is elegant and smooth, easier to drink than most of Priorat wines and a good option to start drinking the special reds of the region. It goes perfectly with game, roast suckling pig or lamb.

Vintage tasted: 2009 (October 2012)

Honoro Vera Garnacha 2011

SWIC score: 89 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Figs, thyme, white pepper, liquorice, volume, warm.

Available: QC (SAQ 11462382 - $ 15.65)

Winery: Bodegas Ateca

Region: D.O. Calatayud (Aragón)

Varieties: 100% Garnacha

Ageing: 2 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 14.5% alc./vol.

Honoro Vera Garnacha is a beautiful, elegant and modern bottle for a powerful 100% Garnacha wine from Calatayud. Above that, it has a good story to tell: this wine was served yesterday (February 24^th) during the 2013 official Oscars dinner in Hollywood. It is produced by Bodegas Ateca, the Calatayud project of Oro Wines and Jumilla’s Gil family. Honoro Vera Garnacha 2011 is an easy-to-drink young red which shows complexity and intensity. It matches perfectly stew meat, legumes and rice dishes among a wide variety of foods.

Vintage tasted: 2011 (February 2013)

Valldosera Brut Nature

SWIC score: 91 (IFS)

Tasting notes: Pineapple, toasted bread, elegant, creamy, fresh.

Available: ON (VINTAGES 311738 - $ 17.95)

 

Winery: Finca Valldosera

Region: D.O. Cava (Catalunya)

Varieties: 45% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeu, 10% Parellada, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Subirat Parent

Ageing: more than 18 months in the bottle

Alcohol level: 11.5% alc./vol.

Finca Valldosera is a beautiful estate located inside the Garraf Natural Park, at the Penedès region. They are known for the extended use of Subirat Parent grape, an indigenous Catalan variety similar to some kinds of Malvasía. Valldosera Brut Nature includes a small part of Subirat Parent, as well as the traditional Cava blend (Xarel·lo, Macabeu and Parellada) and some Chardonnay. Each variety vinifies separately, and the blend ages for at least 18 months in the bottles. This sparkling shows an elegant rosary of well integrated bubbles and a good balance between fruitiness and ageing flavours.

Vintage tasted: n/a (February 2013)

Fustanova Verdejo 2011

SWIC score: 78 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Honey, grass, fennel, melon, light, easy.

Available: QC (SAQ 11833411 - $ 16.10)

Winery: Vicente Gandía

Region: D.O. Valencia (Com. Valenciana)

Varieties: 100% Verdejo

Alcohol level: 12.5% alc./vol.

Founded in 1885, Bodegas Vicente Gandía is considered the biggest Comunidad Valenciana winery. Their goal is creating strong character wines, linked to the land where they are born. With this Fustanova Verdejo, Bodegas Vicente García offers a particular Valencia’s version of the usually colder Verdejo grape, better adapted to Rueda D.O. territory. The result is a fresh, light and easy to drink white. An ideal option for those long summer nights.

Vintage tasted: 2011 (February 2013)

Manzanilla La Gitana

SWIC score: 90 (IFS)

Tasting notes: Grapefruit, almond, mineral, fresh, sharp. 

Available:
ON (LCBO 745448 - $ 13.95)

BC (BCLS 124594 - $ 14.99)

QC (SAQ 11648662 - $ 18.55)

Winery: Bodegas Hidalgo

Region: D.O. Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Andalucía)

Varieties: 100% Palomino Fino

Ageing: 5 years by the solera system

Alcohol level: 15.0% alc./vol.

La Gitana (The Gypsy) is probably the most popular Manzanilla brand. Manzanilla is a sherry-style wine, absolutely dry and very pale in colour. The only difference between it and a Fino is that Manzanilla is aged in the village of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. It is said that the constant sea-breeze gives to Manzanillas a characteristic saline flavour. Bodegas Hidalgo has a long history as a Manzanilla producer, which goes back to the 19^th century. Nowadays, the winery is managed by the 6^th generation of Hidalgo family. Drink this Manzanilla La Gitana chilled, pairing it with a wide range of appetizers (especially good for Spanish tapas) as well as cooked fish and shellfish.

Vintage tasted: n/a (February 2013)

Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad Rosé Brut 2010

SWIC score: 92 (IFS)

Tasting notes: Redcurrant, floral, yeast, complex, fresh.
Available: ON (LCBO 314757 - $ 36.95)

Winery: Segura Viudas

Region: D.O. Cava (Catalunya)

Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Ageing: more than 15 months in the bottle

Alcohol level: 11.0% alc./vol.

Segura Viudas has created this big rosé sparkling wine from the Pinot Noir grapes grown in a single estate vineyard of the village of Aiguaviva, at about 500 m height in the Penedès region. Its outside elegance (the bottle and the beautiful pale salmon colour) has an inside translation as well. It is complex, long and intense, with a balanced combination of fruit and ageing flavours. Its volume and freshness make it a perfect partner for a lot of different foods: fish, seafood, rice and even desserts... although the appetizers is the best moment for enjoying it.

Vintage tasted: 2010 (February 2013)

Muga Selección Especial 2006

SWIC score: 92 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Forest floor, cinnamon, fresh, intense.

Available:

QC (SAQ 11155593 - $ 37.25) 

AB (HIGHLANDER 732322 - $ 49.65) vintage 2004

AB (INGLEWOOD 732322 - $ 51.30) vintage 2004

Winery: Bodegas Muga

Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja

Varieties: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo, 3% Graciano.

Ageing: 28 months in oak barrels

Alcohol level: 14.0% alc./vol.

Bodegas Muga is one of the most renowned wineries from D.O.Ca. Rioja, and its wines are sold almost all around the world, especially the Crianza. This Muga Selección Especial is –as its name suggests- a pretty special wine, made from a Tempranillo-based blend. It ferments in oak vats, and then it ages for a long period of 28 months in oak barrels. These barrels are manufactured in Muga’s own cooperage, using only the most selected oak. The result is a very complex and intense Reserva that will satisfy those people who enjoy the tasting challenges.

Vintage tasted: 2006 (September 2012)

Salanques 2009

SWIC score: 93 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Blueberries, thyme, liquorice, concentrated, deep, fresh.

Available: 

QC (SAQ 11720610 - $ 42.75)

ON (VINTAGES 30494 - $ 45.00) vintage 2007

AB (CSN 708286 - $ 69.99) vintage 2005

Winery: Mas Doix

Region: D.O.Q. Priorat

Varieties: 65% Garnatxa, 20% Carinyena, 10% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ageing: 14 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 15.0% alc./vol.

Salanques is one of those wines that transmits the particular and authentic character of Priorat, vintage after vintage. As it is tradition in that Catalan region, it is made mainly using the grapes from old Garnatxa and Carinyena vines planted in the steep hillsides of the village of Poboleda, and complementing them with a small percentage of international varieties (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). After an ageing of 14 months in French oak barrels, it is bottled and some years after that it shows its savoury, balanced and deep nature, that will remain for a long time. Mas Doix, the producer of Salanques, is a family owned winery, renowned by its high quality reds.

Vintage tasted: 2009 (October 2012)

Other vintages tasted: 2007

Bo Bobal Único 2011

SWIC score: 88 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Cinnamon, black cherry, tobacco leaf, warm, direct. 
Available: QC (SAQ 11676680 - $ 15.75)

 

Winery: Vicente Gandía

Region: D.O. Utiel-Requena (Com. Valenciana)

Varieties: 100% Bobal

Ageing: 9 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 13.5% alc./vol.

Bobal has recently been rediscovered as a suitable grape for high quality wines, after a long period of ostracism. It is one of the most spread varieties of Spain, especially well adapted to the Levant territories. Utiel-Requena has probably the best examples of new style Bobal wines. The 125-years-old winery Bodegas Vicente Gandía produces its Bo Bobal Único 2011 after intensely working in the vineyards. Then the vinification includes a pretty long maceration process and 9 months of ageing in French oak barrels (from Allier). They define this wine as the essence of their vineyards.

Vintage tasted: 2011 (February 2013)

Cims del Montsant 2010

SWIC score: 88 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Redcurrant, dairy, liquorice, intense, fresh.

Available: ON (VINTAGES 311894 - $ 15.95)

Winery: Cellers Baronia del Montsant

Region: D.O. Montsant (Catalunya)

Varieties: 63% Garnatxa, 37% Samsó

Ageing: 5 months in oak barrels

Alcohol level: 13.5% alc./vol.

The boutique winery Cellers Baronia del Montsant is located in the village of Cornudella de Montsant, at the base of the Montsant range that gives its name to the wine appellation. They work with the grapes of the traditional varieties of the zone –neighbor of the world acclaimed Priorat-, Garnatxa and Samsó (Catalan name for Carignan) to make this essentially fruity Cims del Montsant 2010. It is an intense and direct wine, a perfect partner for spring BBQ’s as well as poultry, pasta or some cheeses.

Vintage tasted: 2010 (February 2013)

Sarada Selección 2009

SWIC score: 90 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Black plum, clove, smoky, ripen, warm, volume.

Available: ON (VINTAGES 309872 - $ 15.95)

 

Winery: Agrícolas Aguaza

Region: D.O. Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha)

Varieties: Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Syrah

Ageing: 12 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 14.0% alc./vol.

Almansa region, located in the south-east of Spain halfway between the Mediterranean coast and the colder Meseta of Castilla, is the best place for a traditional grape not very well known called Garnacha Tintorera. This is one of the few varieties whose pulp gives colour to the wine – usually the colour is just in the skin. This Sarada Selección 2009 is a red blend mainly made with Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell, the other typical variety of this region and the whole Eastern Spain. The result is a pleasant wine, suitable for a wide range of pairings from red to white meats as well as meat rices.

Vintage tasted: 2009 (February 2013)

Beronia Reserva 2008

SWIC score: 91 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Black cherry, cocoa, leather, silky, balanced.

Available:

ON (VINTAGES 50203 - $ 18.95)

QC (SAQ 11667231 - $ 19.65) vintage 2007 
BC (BCLS 216770 - $ 24.99) vintage 2007 
MB (LM 216770 - $ 23.99) 
AB (private 731708 – $ 21.68)

Winery: Bodegas Beronia

Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja

Varieties: 93% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo

Ageing: 18 months in American and French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 14.0% alc./vol.

Beronia is the Rioja winery of the massive group González Byass. It is located in Ollauri (Rioja Alta sub region) and its winemaker only uses grapes grown within a 10 km radius from the cellar. As a result, Beronia wines show a very characteristic Rioja Alta personality. Beronia Reserva 2008 is a classic Rioja style wine: mainly made using Tempranillo grapes, with a long ageing in oak barrels and a long maturation in the bottle as well. It is a great partner for meat and game dishes. It would be better consumed in a few years, as it will improve.

Vintage tasted: 2008 (February 2013)

Juan Gil 2010

SWIC score: 92 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Black plums, flint, black pepper, thyme, flashy, round.

Available:

QC (SAQ 10758325 - $ 20.35)

ON (VINTAGES 1677 - $ 21.95)

NL (NLLS 10279 - $ 23.88)

BC (BCLS 195859 - $ 24.99) vintage 2009

Winery: Bodegas Juan Gil

Region: D.O. Jumilla (Murcia)

Varieties: 100% Monastrell

Ageing: 12 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 15.0% alc./vol.

Bodegas Juan Gil, created in 2002 by Gil family as a way to resume the wine business after years of inactivity, is nowadays one of the leading companies of the small but appreciated D.O. Jumilla. They own an estate of old vineyards of Monastrell variety. Their red Juan Gil 2010 is a 100% Monastrell wine, aged for one year in French oak barrels, which expresses the characteristic features of the most typical grape of the area. It is a rich and powerful wine, with a surprising complexity and very pleasant. It pairs especially well with recipes of rice with meat, stewed meats and vegetables, as well as mushrooms and poultry.

Vintage tasted: 2010 (February 2013)

Les Terrasses 2010

SWIC score: 89 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Violets, tea plant, volume, round, warm.

Available:

QC (SAQ 10931562 - $ 30.50)

MB (LM 977843 - $ 41.72)

ON (VINTAGES 977843 - $ 39.00) online purchase

BC (BCLS 786103 - $ 46.99) vintage 2009

Winery: Álvaro Palacios

Region: D.O.Q. Priorat (Catalunya)

Varieties: 45% Samsó, 40% Garnacha, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah

Ageing: 12 months in French oak barrels

Alcohol level: 14.5% alc./vol.

Álvaro Palacios is a name you should know when talking about D.O.Q. Priorat. He founded his winery in the town of Gratallops in 1989 and critically contributed to the raising of the region’s wines prestige during the last two decades with its iconic L’Ermita. Les Terrasses is the second wine he signs in Priorat. It is more affordable and shows quite well what you find in a Priorat wine. Les Terrasses is a red blend mainly made of Samsó (Cariñena) and Garnacha grapes, from very old vineyards (60 to 90 years old) grown on slate slopes located almost everywhere in the Priorat region. This wine will show its best face from 2015 onwards.

Vintage tasted: 2010 (December 2012)

Almirante Oloroso

SWIC score: 89 (JMG)
Tasting notes: Orange zest, cedar, anise, creamy, warm, sharp.
Available: ON (VINTAGES 309963 - $ 16.95)

 

Winery: Marqués del Real Tesoro

Region: D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry (Andalucía)

Varieties: 100% Palomino

Ageing: 17 years using oxidative ageing

Alcohol level: 18.5% alc./vol.

Once poured, Almirante Oloroso shows a beautiful bright amber colour at a first glance. That’s the first step of its seductive game with the consumer, who receives after that a complex symphony of aromas followed by the characteristic super dry and powerful mouth of any Oloroso. This Sherry wine is made by an oxidative ageing over 17 years before being bottled. It is produced by Marqués del Real Tesoro, a brand with more than 100 years of history in the city of Jerez. Nowadays, it is owned by the José Estévez group, one of the most important in the region of Jerez..

Vintage tasted: n/a (January 2013)