MD Cru March 2008 Wine Tasting: Spanish Wines!

Good company is the best pairing with any wine. This past Saturday, I enjoyed what is becoming a classic pairing: wine and the MD Cru. MD Cru refers to a small group of wine enthusiasts who organize through the Wine Spectator forums to meet up once a month in the MD/Washington DC area to share wine, food and good stories. Venue ranges from the homes of some of the members to local restaurants. Each month we have a theme with the March 2008 tasting focusing on the wines of Spain. Overall the wines were very good and went great with the food menu (below). Here is the list of wines we tasted with my picks for “Wines of the Night”. A big thank you to PH, CS, and HWT for dealing with the organization and logistics of the event. A few wines received a score with a “+” symbol after it. This represents wines that I may have scored higher had there been sufficient pour volume and time to taste it over a few hours. Without further ado:

Wines of the night:

1. 2004 Alto Moncayo (Great wine, outstanding value even at $35- a must try for those new to Spanish Wines)
2. 2003 Clos Mogador (Still a bit young, but very good- hold 2-3 years or decant 2+ hours)
3. 2001 Cims de Porrera Priorat Classic (a load of ripe fruits, good structure and balance)

1999 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Fiacre ($55): Aroma’s of orange peel, wet dough, grapefruit. Miscellaneous citrus notes that give way to minerals on the finish. My rating: 91 pts

2000 Louis Roederer Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($60): Lots of citrus with hay and green apple notes. Very crisp, refreshing – nice appertif. My rating: 89 pts

2002 Joan d’Anguera Montsant El Bugader ($50): Blackberry and plum nose. Cherry flavors on the palate, medium tannins, with some heat showing up on the finish. My rating: 89 pts

2004 Alto Moncayo Garnacha ($35): Like smelling a Worther’s Original (butterscotch) candy crushed up with blackberry and blueberry. Well integrated, sweet tannins and nice balance with good weight to it. A very nice wine. My rating: 92 pts, (OV (outstanding value)

2003 Bodegas y Viñedos Luna Beberide Bierzo Daniel: Aroma’s of plum, barnyard, some heat. Barnyard blew off a little after 10 minutes in the glass. Ripe dark fruits and hints of pepper – a little off balance. My rating: 86 pts

2004 Montecastro y Llanahermosa Ribera del Duero -$40: Blackberry, plum, dark raspberry flavors off the bat, a bit tart. Solid tannins and a bit of heat. Sour cherry shows up on the finish medium-length finish. My rating: 88 pts

1999 Bodegas Mauro Viño de la Tierra de Castilla y León -$35: Flavors of chocolate, blackberry, spice notes. Sour cherry, good acidity. My rating: 88 pts

2003 Tinto Pasquera Reserva Ribera del Duero Bodegas Pinord Priorat +7 x 2 ($40): Cherry prune explosion with sweet vanilla and spice flavors. My rating: 88 pts

2004 Trio Infernal Priorat No. 1/3 - $60: Dark fruits but Sherry-esque, slight vinegar, - high volatile acidity. Perhaps flawed? Not rated.

2004 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques - $40: Fruits were non-existent, closed - flawed. No rating.

2001 Cims de Porrera Priorat Classic- $75: Ripe nose of dark fruit, raspberry, sweet cedar. Blackberry and cherry notes on the palate, good acidity and concentration of flavors that transition to elegance on the finish. My rating: 91+ pts

2001 Rotllan Torra Priorat Tirant -$80: Deep purple color with layers of cherry and chocolate, earth and mineral notes with nice balance and a long finish (45+ seconds). My rating: 91 pts

2003 Clos Mogador Priorat - $65: Layers of ripe dark fruits with excellent depth and concentration. Interesting sweet tobacco notes, cherry, chocolate and earth with medium tannins and nice flavors on the finish. My rating: 91+ points

The Menu:

• Ceviche of Scallops, Merluza, Shrimp, Orange, Cucumber & Cilantro
• Croquetas of Crispy Mashed Potatoes with Manchego
• Pan con Tomate, Jamon Serrano & Arbequina Olive Oil
• Goat’s Cheese Dip with Roasted Garlic & Pignoli
• Empanadas of Spiced Veal & Pork in Pastry with Salsa Verde
• Pizza Bianca with Cultivated Exotic Mushrooms

Seated Dinner

• Romaine Hearts, Sweet Peppers, Reggiano & Sherry Vinaigrette
• Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna with Primitivo Sauce, Potato Puree finished with Walnut Oil & Crispy Shallots
• Pork Confit Canneloni (Pork Confit Wrapped in House-made Pasta, Gratinéed with Mushroom Cream, Zucchini, Mushroom & Walnut Sauté)
• Lamb Two Ways (Shoulder Braised in Red Wine & Wood Grilled Rack Chops, White Beans, Sofregit & Marjoram

Dessert - Family Style

• Mini Cannolis
• Chocolate Espresso Cake Minis