Spain

• Alicante
• Andalusia
• Campo de Borja
• Castilla y Leon
  • Bierzo
• Catalonia
• Jerez
• Jumilla
• Madrid
• La Mancha
• Manchuela
• Méntrida
• Montsant
• Navarra
• Pais Vasco (Basque)
• Priorat
• Rias Baixas
• Ribera Del Duero
• Ribera del Guadiana
• Rioja
• Rueda
• Terra Alta
• Toro
• Valdeorras
• Valdepeñas
• Valencia
• Yecla

We tasted this about 5 years ago and it has really filled out since then.  This is a blend of 55% Tempranillo, 20% Granacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano and 5% Monastrell from Rioja, Spain.  It is a more modern take than a traditional Rioja but still made using American Oak.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight chocolate, toast and spice.  Full bodied.  Plenty of depth.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now on its own and would work well with meats or fowl or roasted

This is 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo).  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, dusty attic notes and some cherries.  Medium bodied with good acidity.  On the palate, tart black cherries and some cherries with underlying char.  Seems to be about at peak right now but should drink well for another three to five years.  This is nice on its own and will work well with meats and fowl.  A nice wine for a sausage pizza.  

This is a certified organic sparkling wine from Spain that is a blend of 45% Xarel.lo, 40% Macabeo, 12% Parellada and 3% Malvasía de Sitges.  It was reviewed in November, 2022, and this was a nice chance to see how it has developed since then.  Golden in color with a fair amount of smaller bubbles.  The nose is rounder but still showing lemons.  Also a bit of seltzer and some crushed shell notes.  Refreshing acidity.  The lemons carry thru to the palate with mineral undertones.  A bit more complexity than I remember.  Much better, longer finish.

This comes in attractive packaging.  A 187ml glass bottle with screw top and plastic stopper.  The wine itself is from Spain.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cherries although a bit clipped on the finish.  Also some Kirsch notes.  This is a fun idea for a "single serving"  for $7 or $8.  Drink over the next year.  A nice wine with pizza or a picnic.  

Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cedar, dil, and vanilla.  Medium bodied.  Drying tannins.  On the palate, cherries with underlying char.  some depth.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This is a nice, easy drinking Rioja that should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this is food friendly and would work well with roast meats or veggies.  

One of the classic wines of Ribera del Duero!  It is 100% Tempranillo that spends 18 months in American Oak and 6 months in bottle prior to release.  14.5% abv.  Purple with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with clay, cherries, slight dill and a bit of roasted coffee.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great balance.  The fruit is ripe but not overblown.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and some cherries.  A interesting menthol note on the finish.  Considering the pedigree, this is a very fairly priced wine.  Great on its own, it will work well with food as well. 

From a top Ribera del Duero producer, this one is from Castilla y Leon.  It is 100% Tempranillo weighing in at 14.5% abv.  Ruby  in color, mostly clear and bright.  Black cherries, black raspberries, spice and slight bubble gum note.  Medium bodies.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, slightly woody, and a slight mint note.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and is very food friendly.  It will work well with meats off the grill from a hot dog to a roast. Drink over the next six to nine years.  

Classis Ribera del Duero wine made from 100% Tempranillo. 14.5%abv. Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is dusty with spice and cherries. Nice acidity. Firm tannins. Lovely texture. On the palate, black cherries, some cherries, coffee. Plenty of depth. The complexity emerges with some air in the glass. Long finish with a touch of chocolate. This drinks great on its own, and is food friendly. It went quite well with a carrot dip made with Moroccan spices. Drink over the next seven to ten years.

A very consistent wine from vintage to vintage.  This is a big wine that drinks more "new world'.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, char, spice, slight blueberries and a hint of roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is up-front and delicious.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some smoke and spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another twenty years.  Great on its own, this works well with big flavors.  It can stand up to chorizo sausages.  

This is a sparkling wine from Spain.  It is a blend of 45% Xarel.lo, 40% Macabeo, 12% Parellada and 3% Malvasía de Sitges.  Golden in color.  A fair amount of smaller bubbles.  The nose has char, and lemons.  Nice mouthfeel.  Good backbone of acidity.  The lemons carry thru to the palate.  Shorter finish.  Drink over the next five years.  Very food friendly, this makes a nice starter with appetizers for a holiday party or dinner.