Just returned from a couple weeks in Spain visiting my daughter who is teaching ENGL in Madrid for a couple years. It was a family trip, not a baller wine fest, so proceed accordingly. The real highlight for me was Albarino and seafood driven pinxtos in San Sebastian. I usually like Albarino on the right occasion, I loved Albarino in SS. Vacation bias perhaps. Too many good ones, every six feet, for $4 a cup. ha. These were some of the standouts from various stops. Maybe a more complete post on food and wine later.
WINES IN SPAIN - (12/15/2022-12/31/2022)
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NV Egly-Ouriet Champagne Premier Cru Brut "Les Vignes de Bisseuil" - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (12/23/2022)
Bright fruit. Lemon oil, spearmint, nutty. Vinous, core of solid fruit, acidic. Dry middle. Chalky. Long umami finish. Lovely. Increasingly a go-to house for me. Wish I coulld get 5 years ago pricing :grinning: b> -
2019 Bodegas Muga Rioja Flor de Muga - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (12/23/2022)
Very nice. Floral. Round. Supple. Toasty oak. Almost buttery, but not heavy. Unctuous. Umami. Quaffable. Some silky vanilla and lemon curd. Better on day 2. Feels like Burgundian sensibilities at times. I like it -
2021 Bodega Fulcro Albariño Rías Baixas Finca a Pedreira - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas (12/24/2022)
There's just exciting Albarino all over San Sebastian. Off the list at Casa887 for $25. lol
So energetic. Beams of electric-citrus spiked acidity. Saline for days. Quenching. Killer with salty/spicy seafood driven menu from Casa 887 (tempura prawns on squid ink bao below). -
2020 Aitaren Getariako Txakolina - Spain, País Vasco, Getariako Txakolina (12/31/2022)
Like a 1er Chablis and baby Txakoli. Salty. White fruit. Lemon and chalkiness. So good with spider crab dish at Narru. Saline for days that lingers. Love it. -
2019 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Monopole Clásico - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (12/24/2022)
Always delivers, even moreso when you pluck a bottle out of the cellar at CUNE and drink it the next day on a porch on a 70 degree December afternoon in San Sebastian. Shows more oak in this young stage. Almond-honeysuckle nose. Sherry notes. Always an umami factor here that makes you want another glass. Youthful. -
2020 Agro de Bazan Albariño Rías Baixas Granbazán Etiqueta Verde - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas (12/31/2022)
Loved it after giving it some air. There is citrus and lemon curd and a razor edge of acidity that just bring life. Salinity that sails on and on. Just magic with the calamari dosed in its own ink cream at Casa Lucas. Dreamy. ( -
2019 Comando G El Hombre Bala - Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid (12/31/2022)
Super aromatic. Herbal and black cherry notes. Elegant and supple palate, black pepper, dark cherry. Lifted and light with a very pure fruit. Excellent with myriad dishes at SDD. Good stuff. -
2015 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (12/31/2022)
Late in the night and was surprised how well this was drinking. Earthy, cedar, cherry notes on the nose. Hints of dried fruit. Beginning to give, but it can stand some time. Fruit is polished and ripe and immediately appealing to a crowd. Very rich through to finish. Not my everyday, but quite nice. - 2010 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (12/31/2022) Drinking so well. Ow. Waves of black cherry, some dark cocoa, mocha, leather. Hints of fading oak. Wisp of acid adds some lift. Long satisfying/umami finish. Excellent with monster steaks at Casa Julian in Tolosa.
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2019 Vincent Dancer Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc (12/31/2022)
Was already several glasses in after wandering Old Town, and was going for sherry, but this was $40 on the list at Ganbarra :grinning: so, why not.....Always good at this level. Per usual. So young, with more to deliver. Great value elegant and poised. A smart and enjoyable that was perfect with the hake at Ganbarra.
Posted from CellarTracker
