Weekly Wine Tastings
Please join us at the i.m.Wine tasting bar every Friday and Saturday from 1-7pm; this week we are tasting:
20th & 21st March, 2009
“Grapes of Spain”
2008 Albarino Nessa, Adegas Gran Vinum (Rias Baixas)
Retail: $15.99 Special: $14.39 Case: $13.59
Light yellow. Spicy citrus and pear aromas are brightened by white flowers and ginger. Racy, precise and pleasingly bitter, with strong lemon zest and pear skin flavors. This tightly wound albarino shows a lively, persistent finish. A very good value and a great choice for summer guzzling.
88pts. Steven Tanzer, International Wine Center
2008 Garnacha Blanca, Las Colinas del Ebro (Terra Alta)
Retail: $13.99 Special: $12.59 Case: $11.89
The 2008 Garnacha Blanca (100% varietal) was raised in stainless steel tanks. Medium straw-colored, it exhibits an attractive perfume of mineral, spring flowers, white peach, and melon that jumps from the glass. On the palate it is exceptionally concentrated, mouth-filling, and vibrant with plenty of spicy fruit, good depth, and a fruit-filled finish.
90pts. The Wine Advocate
2006 El Molinet, d’Este Vino (Valencia)
Retail: $16.99 Special: $15.29 Case: $14.44
A blend of 77% tempranillo with 23% cabernet sauvignon gives rich ruby-red color with jammy blackberry and blueberry aromas are deepened by tobacco and black cardamom. Bitter cherry, espresso and chocolate flavors offer good depth and supporting structure, picking up resiny herbs with air. Youthfully stern but there's impressive dark fruit here.
88pts. Steven Tanzer, International Wine Center
2007 El Arte de Vivir, Bodegas J C Conde (Ribera del Duero)
Retail: $ 16.99 Special: $15.29 Case: $14.44
The 2007 El Arte de Vivir also 100% Tempranillo sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines. It was aged for six months in French and American oak. It s more substantial and structured than the Vivir, vivir cuvee with layers of fleshy fruit, excellent concentration, and 1-2 years of aging potential. The finish is lengthy and sweet. Drink this pleasure-bent wine over the next six years.
91pts. The Wine Advocate
2005 Los 800, Bodegas Los 800 (Priorat)
Retail: $22.99 Special: $20.69 Case: $19.54
The 2005 Los 800 is a rarity, a value-priced Priorat. It is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Carinena, 10% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French and American oak for six months. Purple-colored, it offers up a roasted bouquet of cedar, pencil lead, earth notes, cherry, and blueberry. Elegant on the palate, it conceals a bit of structure under the fruit and should evolve for 2-3 years. This lengthy effort will be at its best from 2011 to 2020. It is a very good introduction to the wines of Priorat.
90pts. Wine Advocate
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