Tasting Report: 8 Spanish Wines!

Hooray for me: I gave blood today (thanks for the support, Miranda!). I actually gave two units of blood, which is great since it helps twice as much. That said, when giving this much blood, they have to pump saline and plasma back into your system so you don’t pass out or get sick from blood loss. The sensation of room temperature saline/plasma going abck into your arm and system was quite interesting and resulted in tingling lips and a plastic taste in my mouth. When it was all said and done, I drank a 32 oz Gatorade, 64 ounces of water, ate a big lunch, then waited 6 hours and figured “why not go drink a bunch of wine?”. So, Kim, Donna (who it was great to finally drink wine with again!) and I attended a tasting tonight at the Chesapeake Wine Company in Canton. The following wines were served with a Spanish Chorizo, Bread and the following cheeses: San Simon (smoked cow’s milk), Roncal (aged Sheeps’s Milk, Pyrennes), Murcia (Drunken goat, with olives).
The tasting notes are below:

2006 Ulacia - Getariako Txakolina: Interesting nose of dryer lint, cinnamon, peach. Very crisp acidity that hid the fruits at first, some orange rind and grapefriut. Acidity slowly fades back with a refreshing finish. OK start to the night. My rating: 86 pts

2006 do Ferreiro Albarino - Rias Baixas: More weight in the glass with aromas of cotton candy, fresh cut grass and herbs. Medium bodied wine, less acidic than the Ulacia and more of a smooth finish that gives some acidity. My rating: 87 pts

2005 Alquezar Moristel – Somontano: This Moristel comes from a beautiful town high in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrennes. Starts out with a nose of raspberry, a lot of cranberry, and a good amount of pepper and spice. On the palate the fruit is less prominent with subtle cherry and cranberry, and medium tannins. An OK effort – a pass for me though even at $15. My rating: 85 pts

2006 Descendientes de Palacios – Bierzo: Loaded with dark ripe fruits, bacon and a bit of heat on the nose that isn’t as evident on the palate. Blackberry, plum and sour cherry notes with good balance at the finish and ripe tannins. Opened up quite a bit in 10-15 minutes – requires some age or a long decant. My rating: 88 pts

2006 Arbanta (Biurko)– Rioja Alava: Really beautiful, vibrant purple color. This 100% Tempranillo never touches oak which really lets the blackberry and cherry come through. Ripe fruits, young, light tannins, nice finish, good value! My rating: 88 pts

2006 Palacios Remondo La Vendimia – Rioja Baja: Some plum notes, as well as vanilla and almond. Medium bodied wine with an OK finish. Nothing spectacular, but very drinkable. My rating: 86 pts

2002 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo – Rioja Alta: Here’s what I was waiting for. Cherry cordial/chocolate, sour cherry, earth, cellar on the nose – this wine is more old school which I appreciate. At first it seemed a bit young, but time in the glass was sufficient to make this quite drinkable now with nice balance, fine tannins and good mineral notes. In its drinking window, may peak in a couple years, but why wait? My rating: 90 pts

2001 LAN Lanciano Reserva – Rioja Alta: Dark purple color. Biggest nose of the night with ripe dark and red fruits. Concentrated blackberry and cherry notes, hints of chocolate and tobacco with big tannins yet signs of great balance with some age. Patience is virtue- 3-5 years and this should be showing very nicely. My rating: 91 pts

I ended up buying the Arbanta, Lopez de Heredia, LAN Reserva, as well as a Priorat (not tasted: Pasanau Ceps Nous, 2005) and a French Cabernet Franc (Frivolite Bagatelle Manoir de la Tete Rogue).

The night was capped off with some Mexican food from the local joint that included Margarita’s!