1+1=3 Cava Brut N/V 90 Points . Atlanta Wine School Connect With Wine 89 Points Robert Parker s

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Bridget Manning
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1 1+1=3 Cava Brut N/V This one is a medium-bodied dry sparkling wine that exhibits a lovely pale straw color and zippy small-bead bubbles. On the nose, initial citrus-focused aromas develop into more focused lemon curd aromas. The palate shows a lovely spice-centered core, with a hint of ginger, restrained fruit and a clean, crisp, long finish. Moderate alcohol (11.5%), allows one to enjoy multiple glasses of this well-priced sparkler. Grapes: 45% Xarel.lo, 35% Parellada, 25% Macabeo. - Atlanta Wine School Connect With Wine 89 Points- Recommended Spanish Wine Value 2007 Altos de la Hoya Monastrell Jumilla, Bodegas Olivares Inky purple color. Strongly floral nose displays a seductive bouquet of dark berries, lavender, rose and smoky Indian spices. Vibrant blackberry and candied cherry flavors are lifted by zesty minerals, becoming deeper and sweeter with air. The impressively brisk and focused finish features pure berries. Here's another crazy value Arrocol, Ribera del Duero Opaque ruby. Potent mulberry and blueberry aromas expand seductively, picking up baking spice and floral qualities. Suave, silky and impressively pure, with vibrant dark berry flavors saved from the brink of jamminess by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Impressively juicy and persistent, with excellent palate saturation and clarity Atalayas de Golban Ribera del Duero Bright med. red. A complex bouquet displays redcurrant, raspberry, musky herbs and fresh flowers. Precise red fruit flavors are supported by tangy minerality and sweetened by a gentle cola quality. There's an intriguing pinot-like focus and delicacy to this wine. Darker fruits arrive on the finish, which is sappy and persistent. Drinkable now Campellares, Rioja Bright red. Intensely perfumed bouquet offers red and dark berries, potpourri and baking spices. Sweet red berry flavors display good juicy intensity, with no obvious tannins. A smooth, sweet wine with solid appeal and good finishing clarity.

2 2007 Castillo del Baron, Monastrell, Yecla Orange-pink. Redcurrant and pear aromas are complicated by dusty minerals and dried flowers. Light-bodied red fruit flavors are firmed by gently bitter citrus pith and almond skin nuances. Finishes with surprising persistence to its red fruit flavors. This will be very flexible with food Clos Figuera Font de la Figuera, Priorat The 2005 Font de la Figuera is purple-colored with aromas of mineral, earth, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. Chunky and slightly rustic in personality, the wine has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years Clos Martinet, Priorat 94 Points The 2004 Clos Martinet is not as dense as its older sibling but it offers more aromatic complexity (a characteristic of 2004 in the Catalan region) and cuts a broader swath across the palate. It is a rich, plushly textured, full-flavored wine that merits 2-4 years of additional bottle age after which it should drink well for at least 15 years Clos Mogador, Priorat 95 Points The opaque purple-colored 2006 Clos Mogador has an enticing nose of pain grille, pencil lead, truffle, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, dense, and layered on the palate, it has loads of succulent black fruit, spice box, ripe tannin, impeccable balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 5-7 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2015 to NV Conde de Subirats Cava Bright straw with a frothy mousse. Zesty lemon and kiwi scents and an exotic note of mustard seed on the fresh nose. A suave, silky bubbly that possesses deep orchard and tropical fruit flavors and a slow-building red fruit quality. This is strikingly supple, with very good finishing lift and clarity. It is also an outrageous bargain. NV Conde de Subirats Cava Rosé Light pink, with fine bubbles. Nervy blood orange, redcurrant and strawberry aromas are enlivened by notes of clove and cracked pepper. Clean and precise, offering refreshingly bitter red berry skin flavors and very good palate coverage. Finishes brisk and clinging for a wine at this price at two or even three times the price, actually.

3 2007 Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos del Bierzo, Bierzo 92 Points The entry-level wine (what an entry!) is the 2007 Petalos del Bierzo, 100% Mencia from vineyards ranging in age from 40 to 90 years. It spends its first few weeks in new French barriques before transfer to seasoned oak for 6 to 10 months. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of smoke, violets, mineral, wild blueberry, and black raspberry. Fruity yet complex on the palate, it has superb depth, grip, and balance. This sexy effort can be enjoyed over the next six years but only hedonists need apply. Descendientes de Jose Palacios first vintage was The men in charge are Ricardo Perez and legendary vigneron Alvaro Palacios. Dios Baco Amontillado Sherry Delicious, silky smooth, packs a punch with burnt caramel and toasted walnut flavors ending on a smoky note. Dios Baco Amontillado Jerez 20 Years Old Baco Imperial Intense, dry and tangy, it unfolds its toffee, iodine and nut flavors across the palate, leaving a walnut and bittersweet chocolate aftertaste. Dios Baco Cream Sherry 92 Points This is complex and on the dry side, with caramel, dried fig and iodine flavors that intensify as it stays on the palate. Terrific finish, with a lingering aftertaste of molasses, nuts and a slightly burnt note. Dios Baco Oloroso Sherry Outstanding! Unctuous is the only way to describe this velvety-smooth, chocolate- and treacle-infused Sherry. Quite light on its feet, yet intense and long, with lovely cut that just sends it soaring on the finish. Drink now. Dios Baco Oloroso Jerez 30 Years Old Baco Imperial A lovely oloroso, dry and flavorful, balancing its nut and caramel flavors as well as its richness with a bracing iodine note. Intense, this needs food El Arte de Vivir, Ribera del Duero The 2007 El Arte de Vivir is also 100% Tempranillo sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines. It was aged for six months in French and American oak. It s more substantial and structured than the Vivir, vivir cuvee with layers of fleshy fruit, excellent concentration, and 1-2 years of aging potential. The finish is lengthy and sweet. Drink this pleasure-bent wine over the next six years.

4 2000 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva Fading medium-red color. Cherry-vanilla, tobacco and dried raspberry on the nose, with subtle baking spices, cedar and herbs adding complexity. Suave red fruit flavors are sweetened by vanillin oak spices and gently propped up by silky tannins. An understated wine that's sure to be dismissed by those who find ostentation in wine a virtue, but this will work wonderfully with grilled or braised meats, or not-so-strong cheeses. And the length of this Rioja is pretty sneaky La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 Rioja Deep red. Complex, expressive bouquet displays red- and blackcurrant, cherry, cigar box, vanilla bean, cola and pipe tobacco, expanding with air and picking up potpourri and mocha qualities. Sweet, deeply concentrated red and dark berry flavors are impressively lithe, with silky tannins adding gentle grip. Candied flower and baking spice notes linger on the impressively long, energetic finish. There's no way I'd have guessed this wine to be 18 years old. Hold it for another ten years, or more, or serve it now with Middle Eastern-spiced lamb shanks Lagar de Cervera Albarino, Rias Baixas 89 Points Light yellow. Fresh pear and peach aromas are brightened by lemon and jasmine. Fleshy orchard fruit flavors offer good palate coverage and are firmed by lightly bitter citrus pith. Richer than many versions of this variety, with good finishing thrust and cling. This would work with richer shellfish dishes. Luna Beberide Mencia Points The 2007 Mencia was fermented in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered. Purplecolored, it has an expressive nose of mineral, earth notes, and racy blue fruits. Sweet, ripe, and full-flavored on the palate, this well-balanced effort has the potential to evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now through Marques de Irun, Rueda 89 Points Light gold. Lime, fresh-cut grass and herbs on the nose, plus a dusty mineral undertone. Clean, light citrus flavors are given a pleasantly bitter edge by quinine and pear skin, and pick up a suave anise quality on the back end. The persistent finish features a pronounced note of citrus zest.

5 2005 Martinet Bru, Clos Martinet, Priorat 91+ Points The 2005 Martinet Bru is purple-colored with an excellent nose of cedar, smoke, mineral, black cherry, and black currant. Structured, with enough tannin for 5-7 years of further evolution, this intense, lengthy wine will require considerable patience Bodegas Mauro, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon The 2005 Mauro is made up of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Syrah. Opaque purplecolored, it reveals a brooding but enticing bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, tar, and assorted black fruits. This leads to a layered, plush, mouth-filling, sweetly fruited wine with tons of flavor. It has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and its finish is long and pure. It can be enjoyed now but will continue to provide pleasure through No Time Garnacha Vivid red color. Peppery red berry and cherry aromas offer straightforward appeal. Clean and brisk, with a peppery bite to the red fruit flavors refreshingly tangy and surprisingly persistent finish. Offers good complexity for the price. The 2007 No Time Garnacha is medium crimson-colored with an expressive nose of cherry and black raspberry. Medium-bodied, ripe, and succulent, this tasty effort has a lengthy, seamless finish. Drink it over the next three years Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi, Priorat The 2006 Finca Dofi is 55% Garnacha and 45% Carinena from estate vines ranging in age from 16 to 23 years. It was aged for 9 months in 80% new French oak. It offers up a more complex bouquet of toasty new oak, lavender, leather, mineral, truffle, black cherry, and blueberry. Layered on the palate with a plush texture, it has excellent depth, succulent flavor, and excellent balance. Surprisingly forward, it will evolve for 2-3 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next decade.

6 2006 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita, Priorat 96 Points There are eleven barrels produced of Palacios flagship, the 2006 L Ermita. The fruit is sourced from the estate s Ermites vineyard planted entirely to Garnacha, with the two parcels 67 and 100 years of age respectively. The current vintage marks the first year that no Cabernet was added to the wine. It was aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it shows off a super-fragrant nose of pain grille, pencil lead, licorice, sage, incense, anisette, and black cherry. Elegant, velvety-textured, rich, and layered, this stylish effort conceals enough tannin to blossom for another 5-7 years. Its drinking window will extend from 2015 to It is unquestionably a great wine but not quite at the level of the 2004 and Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses, Priorat The 2006 Les Terrasses is a blend of 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It was aged for 12 months in 20% new French oak. Purple-colored, it exhibits a fragrant bouquet of cedar, mineral, spice box, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, rich wine with excellent harmony, potential complexity, and a fruit-filled finish. It has enough structure to evolve for several years and will deliver prime drinking from 2012 to Pingus, Ribera Del Duero 99 Points The flagship 2006 Pingus is a spectacular effort. A glass-staining saturated opaque purple, it delivers an other-worldly perfume of smoke, lavender, mineral, scorched earth, and an amalgam of kinky black fruits. Voluptuous on the palate in a measured way, it has superb balance, layered, complex flavors, ripe tannin that is entirely covered by the fruit, and a decade of aging potential. This monumental wine will evolve effortlessly for years and offer prime drinking from 2016 to Pintia, Toro 95 Points Opaque purple-colored, it offers a complex perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied, ripe, layered wine with intense flavors, serious complexity, and exceptional length. It has enough structure to unfold for another 4-6 years and drink well through Prima, Toro Deep ruby. Smoky cherry and blackberry aromas are complicated by minerals and fresh flowers. Fresh and racy, with pure red and dark fruit flavors, fine-grained tannins and good tangy lift. A lively, sharply focused wine with lovely lingering sweetness.

7 2008 Valdelainos, Rueda The 2008 Valdelainos Verdejo delivers an assertive perfume of citrus, spring flowers, and spice box. Nicely balanced on the palate with lively acidity and a solid core of fruit, it will provide pleasure over the next months. It would pair well with shellfish Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Ano, Ribera del Duero 94 Points The 2003 Valbuena is purple-colored and super-fragrant with aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a powerful, concentrated wine with an opulent palate-feel, layers of flavor, and beautiful integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, no mean feat in the torrid 2003 vintage. Supple, sweet, and long, this superb effort will evolve for another 4-6 years and drink well through Vivir, vivir, Ribera del Duero The 2007 Vivir, vivir is 100% Tempranillo sourced from 20- to 60-year-old vines in La Horra. It was aged for ten months in tank prior to bottling. Dark ruby-colored, it features racy aromatics of mineral, spice box, black cherry and blackberry. Silky on the palate with no hard edges, this tasty wine will provide pleasure over the next three years. These two wines [El Arte de Vivir and Vivir, vivir] from Bodegas J.C. Conde are sensational values from Ribera del Duero. Robert Parker s The Wine Advocate Charles River Wine Company, Inc. Updated July, 2009

Puntuaciones Juan Gil Bodegas Familiares en International Wine Cellar 2014

Puntuaciones Juan Gil Bodegas Familiares en International Wine Cellar 2014 BODEGAS EL NIDO Clio 2011-92 points (70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged for two years in a combination of French