Organic Ossium

Spain has another answer for those seeking certified organic wine. The 2010 Ossium hails from Utiel-Requena (an obscure region we're now seeing a lot more wine being imported) in the southeastern part of the country. This 100% Tempranillo has the familiar raspberry, cherry flavors, but after breathing for a couple of hours came unique notes of strawberry, rhubarb with some balsamic on the finish. Easy-drinking, food-friendly and completely affordable for less than $10.

A Fried Chicken Revelation

With our usual Fried Chicken go-to-wine (Chardonnay) in short supply, we had to explore another pairing option. A bottle of Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava caught our eye and we thought "what the heck." Fried foods and sparkling wine are a natural combination, so this highly rated, wallet-friendly Spanish bubbly was more than up for the task. The traditional blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes delivered delicious flavors of green apple, pear with light citrus notes on the clean, toasty finish. This tasted just right after a bite of crispy chicken, putting everything in balance and bringing you back for more. Hard to believe you can get something with an 88 point rating from Wine & Spirits for only $8! But for followers of Wine Armada, just another example of the great values imported from Spain.

Falling for Spanish Reds

With cooler weather already upon us, we join the rest of the wine world in transitioning from our refreshing summer whites to more hearty autumn reds. Here are some quick takes on three Spanish gems, we recently tasted, that will get you through this change of seasons:


Anciano Reserva Tempranillo 2005
From the rarely seen Valdepenas region in south central Spain, this mellow red was aged 5 years in barrel, and bottle, before release. Earthy aromas, with a touch of spice, leads to mouthful of black fruit on a long, complex finish typifying classic Tempranillo. 87 pts. from Wine Enthusiast and under $12.


Barahonda Nabucco 2010
An estate-bottled beauty from the oldest continuous wine family, in one of the country's oldest wine regions (Yecla), in the warmth of southeastern Spain. A delicious red blend of Monastrell, and Syrah, tasted of fig, blackberries and black cherry with some licorice on the finish. This Wine Advocate 88 pointer can be had for less than $15.


Alto Cinco Garnacha 2011
Alto Cinco means “high five” in Spanish, with “high” referring to the vineyard elevation (Alto) and “five” to their five vineyards in Cariñena of northern Spain. A lighter style Garnacha, aged 6 months in French and American oak has red cherry on the nose and palate, with some blueberry and a sweet spiciness on a lengthy, clean finish.

Enjoying this time of year and all the new wines being offered? Let us know what you've discovered, or some of your old favorites releasing their latest vintages, with a reply to this blog, the Wine Armada Facebook page, Twitter feed or email winearmada@gmail.com.

Salud!

 

A Visit From Gil Family Estates

No one epitomizes Spanish wine quality and value better than Gil Family Estates. Their ever-growing portfolio covers a wide range from simple quaffers to the mind-blowing El Nido red blend. So it was without hesitation the Wine Armada sailed into Sasha's on Shaw, in South St. Louis, to meet winery reps Loren Gil and Jordi Flos, then sample their latest offerings paired with some culinary treats. Under the twilight sky on the outdoor patio, we tasted these fine examples of some of Spain's best:

Arindo Rueda Verdejo 2012
From the remote Rueda region, this light, crisp Verdejo was a perfect start to the evening. A little drier than the 2011 vintage, this 2012 seemed more balanced with it's pear and pineapple notes and mouthwatering acidity on the clean finish. It was crazy-good when paired with a banana nut muffin drizzled in a Verdejo reduction - a brilliant inspiration from the chef.

Bodegas Tridente Mencia 2010
The influx of high-quality Mencia has been staggering over the past 1-2 years. The 2010 Tridente Mencia is no exception. From a vineyard just outside Bierzo, Mencia's homeland, the 6 months in French oak added aromas of spice and dark fruit. Black raspberry, cassis and cola flavors glided across the palate on a lengthy finish that keeps you coming back for more. 90 points from Wine Advocate and under $15 makes this one a keeper.

Bodegas Atteca Old Vine Garnacha 2011
This 100% garnacha has been a long-time "go to" big red in the Wine Armada cellars. Aged for ten months in French oak and full of crowd-pleasing dark berry, licorice and fig flavors. Incredibly long finish for the money (under $15!) ending with a spicy note.

La Atalaya 2010
We finished with this easy-drinking Garnacha/Monastrell blend. 12 months in French oak adds just the right amount of blackberry and cigar box aromas, with the addition of blueberry and plum on the palate.  Perfect balance, combined with good acidity, that ends with slightly savory finish, makes this an all-around universal food wine. Wine Advocate agrees with a 91 pt. rating for this terrific value costing less than $15.

Many thanks to the Gil Family, Sasha's on Shaw, Pinnacle Imports, Amy Simpson and her Wine Cru for hosting this special event. Hope to see you all again, very soon!

Salud!

Three Days in Spain

While hopping on a jet for a trip would be ideal (but considerably more expensive!), the Wine Armada chooses to visit Spain by way of our wine glasses. We recently opened three very different bottles, from three very different regions. The unique, diversity produced from these areas, never ceases to amaze us.

#1 - Torres Ibericos Tempranillo Rioja 2009
We begin in north central Spain and one of our long-time favorite producers, the Torres family. They do it all well from quality entry-level offerings to high-end collectibles. This one is no exception at only $12, but full of silky black cherry flavors, followed by tinges of vanilla and spice on a long, savory finish. A classic example of Rioja wine that’s worth seeking.

#2 - Avancia Cuvée de O 2012
The more Godello I try, the more I love this grape! The Avancia is new to the area and was worth the wait. From vines over 35 years old, the layers and complexity of this white wine from the northwestern part of the country (Valdeorras) is remarkable. For under $15 you’ll get a roller coaster flavor ride of pear, grapefruit and minerality with enough acidity, on the clean finish, to make this one of the world’s most under-rated food wines.

#3 - Pastora Fino Sherry
We head to southern Spain to visit poor Fino Sherry. The misunderstood child of the wine family, is possibly an acquired taste, but for the adventurous, can be immensely rewarding. Geeks like myself will enjoy the food pairing possibilities/challenges inspired by the almond notes, salinity and relatively high alcohol level (17%). Like Godello, the more I try a chilled glass, the more I enjoy this one-of-a kind treasure (especially when it's under $5 a bottle!).

Our mission will continue to carry us forward to other uncharted waters. Please let us know if there are any discoveries you’ve made in your Spanish wine quest. Contact us through Facebook, Twitter or winearmada@gmail.com.

Salud!

Riding a New Wave of Spanish Wine

The line-up - lengthy and impressive. The presenters - informed and enthusiastic. The venue - comfortable and casual. All this combined for an incredible afternoon of tasting at Sasha's on De Mun earlier this week. A new portfolio of Spanish wine was revealed in St. Louis by Chris Hoskins and Leland Reid of Appellations Fine Wines, along with native Catalonian Nuria Garrote i Esteve from Vinovi & Co. They all guided us through a treasure trove currently seen only in Missouri and Michigan. New producers, new regions, new grapes...it was all that was needed to gain Wine Armada's attention.

18 wines from small vineyards and artisan winemakers covering all corners of the Spanish countryside were featured. They included the following:

2009 Valldolina Reserva Brut Nature Cava - "Brut Nature" is hard to find, but worth seeking. This shines as an astoundingly pure example of high-quality sparkling wine.
2011 Ca N'estruc Blanc & 2010 Equilibrista Negre - The Blanc is a refreshing blend of five white grapes from Penedes. The Negre combines Syrah, Cariyena & Garnaxta with delicious results. Wine Advocate scored previous vintages 90 & 91 pts.                       
Belondrade 2011 Quinta Apolonia & 2010 Belondrade y Lurton Verdejo - Both masterfully crafted, but the extra barrel aging on the 2010 takes Verdejo to the realm of a superior white Burgundy.
Castell D'Encus 2010 Ekam, 2010 Taleja & 2010 Thalarn - The Costers del Segre region's take on Riesling and white Bordeaux (Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon), but the real star is Thalarn - 100% Syrah that Wine Advocate scored 95 pts. for the 2010 vintage.
2010 Billo Priorat - Lighter style Priorat that would be easy drinking for summer.
Garcia Burgos 2005 Vendimia Seleccionada & 2007 Sh - A Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, along with an impressive Syrah from Navarra.
2008 Alberto Ledo Ledo.8 - My favorite wine of the day! A Mencia from Bierzo steals the show with lots of ripe fruit and a finish that wouldn't quit.
2009 Almaroja Pirita - A crazy combo of 10 grapes that I found hard to define. May need to spend more time with this one.
2011 Cesar Principe 13 Cantaros Nicolas & 2009 Cesar Principe - The rarely seen region of Cigales makes a memorable appearance with two extraordinary Tempranillos. Past vintages have scored between 89-92 pts. with Wine Advocate.
Alemany i Corrio 2010 Pas Curtei & 2006 Sot Lefreic - Penedes red blends with the nod toward the perfect balance achieved by the Sot Lefreic (garners consistent 90+ ratings)
2007 Grau Vell Alcor - An interesting urban vineyard project outside Barcelona produced this powerful red blend.

It was a whirlwind tour to say the least, but the results of our findings were well worth it. The Wine Armada wishes Appellations Fine Wines much success in diversifying the area's Spanish wine offerings with this outstanding collection. We look forward to future findings by this adventurous group of importing pioneers.

Salud!

Weekend Wines

 
Three world-class wines were enjoyed this weekend along the Wine Armada's route from the home base to various points throughout the neighborhood. All are high-scoring, great values, that would be great additions to your summer collection.

While still in port, barbecued ribs were on the menu, and a Spanish red was called into action. The 2010 Bodegas Volver “Tarima Hill,” from old vines in the high regions of Alicante, was a “Monastrell Masterpiece.” Robert Parker was right on with his 93 pt. rating for this stunning red that delivered layer after layer of flavors like blackberry, dark cherries, fig and spices. The smooth finish was long-lasting and the pairing with barbecue sauce, and perfectly-cooked ribs, was heavenly. This gem, from superstar importer Jorge Ordonez, can be had for less than $15!

Later in the weekend, the Wine Armada sailed into a neighbor's harbor for a casual cookout of grilled shrimp and salmon burgers. We unleashed a 2011 Nisia, thinking made this 100% old vine (70-100 years in age!) Verdejo would be crowd-pleaser. We were not disappointed as this white wine proved to be a worthy seafood partner, and contender for one Spain's finest Verdejos we have ever tasted. Intense, yet refined, we experienced amazing levels of citrus and peach flavors with a touch of vanilla creaminess. 91 Points from Robert Parker and a price, once again below $15.

We finished our journey with a 2009 Pazos del Rey "Sila" Mencia from Monterrei, Spain. Tasted a little "oakier" than most Mencias tried previously, but the texture was silky smooth and SO easy drinking. Much like a Pinot Noir, but some darker fruits, like blueberry and plum, work their way toward a clean finish with enough acidity for food friendliness. 89 points from Wine Advocate and yours for less than $20.

Summer has just begun and so has the exploration of many more great wines Spain has to offer. For more information, contact the Wine Armada at winearmada@gmail.com.

Salud!