[$M] {2 Dec 1997}
In recent years the use of quality grapes, modern technology and good barrel ageing has produced some exceptional wines from the traditionally volume production area of La Mancha. "Allozo" took a gold medal at Vinexpo in 1995, and with a bit of ageing shows itself to be a quality red. A medium bodied wine which will go well with roasts and cheese.
Made from Tempranillo grapes with 1 year of barrel ageing and a minimum
of 6 months "resting" in the bottle. Deep cherry red color, good
depth and bright with just a touch of brick around the edges. Good, penetrating
aromas new wood and blackberry fruit. Crisp and fresh on the palate with
noticable acidity, good body and balance with ripe berry fruit and spicy
overtones. [$M]
{2 Dec 1997}
Luis Cañas Crianza
1994 The Luis Cañas Riojas have done well in recent international wine competitions - especially the '94 crianza. This is a good example of a genuine Rioja Alavesa red. A good value as well - great by itself and just right to go with meats and cheeses.
Deep cherry-garnet color. Good, potent aromas of ripe berry fruit and
quality oak. Full bodied (for a Rioja), chewy and tasty, well constructed
with superb fruit-tannin balance. A really worthwhile Rioja. [$M]
{18 Nov 1997}
Part of a recently introduced line of organically grown wines, the Mundo de Yunteros have been a pleasant surprise, both in Spain and around Europe. A fresh young wine, this will go nicely with pasta, rice and casseroles.
Good dark cherry red color. Aromatic and fruity nose of ripe blackberry
fruit. Dry and tasty on the palate, good meaty body and rich tannins. Not
just another "organic" wine, but a good one and an excellent
value as well. 
[$L]
{6 Nov 1997}
Over the past years, the amazing popularity of Ribera del Duero wines has pushed prices higher and higher. With '94 considered one of the region's best years ever, it's nice to find a Ribera del Duero "crianza" in the $10 range. A good full-bodied red, just right for roasts and steaks, or a good aged cheese.
Good cherry red color, medium depth still showing signs of relative
youth. Potent fruity aromas with gentle overtones of wood and spice. Pleasant
palate, smooth, average acidity, not as potent as the aromas might indicate.
A good value, ready to drink and should hold up well for 2-3 years. [$M]
{20 Oct 1997}
The Somontano region has been producing some very interesting wines of late and this attractively priced Cabernet-Merlot is an excellent example of the region's produce. A medium bodied wine, full of taste. Good on its own or to accompany roasts and stews, casseroles, pasta and so on.
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes with 6 months of barrel
ageing. Medium cherry red color. Delightfully complex, potent aromas of
wild berry fruit (goosberry and blackberry) with floral and spice overtones.
Smooth, rounded and tasty with good acidity and gentle tannins, it should
hold up well for 4-5 years. [$L]
{2 Oct 1997}
Teófilo Reyes
Crianza '94 [Red] 1994 was an excellent year in many regions of Spain, and many consider it to be one of the best vintages in recent years for both Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Bodegas Reyes is a new winery, but the Teófilo Reyes Crianza '94 is a truly excellent wine - just the thing to enjoy with a roast or steak, and also very nice all by itself. Despite its relative youth, this a wine that needs decanting.
Deep, dark cherry red color. Powerful aromas of red and black berry
fruit, nicely balance with the vanilla tones of quality oak. On the palate
it's full-bodied, almost chewy with plenty of fruit and gentle woody tones.
Not overly acidic, good length and tannic enough to hold up well for several
more years. [$M]
{14 Sept 1997}
For Rioja growers, 1994 was a superb year and a good percentage of this harvest will be saved for the top-of-the-line Gran Reserva wines. The available Crianzas like this Ramón Bilbao have been well received. This a typical medium-bodied Rioja, good to go with most meat dishes, cheese, etc.
Garnet color (a little thin) with no visible signs of age. Aromas are
gentle, but pleasant: red berry fruit and oak. The palate's better and
more intense than the nose with good depth of fruit plus the typical Rioja
rustic wood overtones. Slightly "warm" (alcoholic). [$M]
{14 Aug 1997}
It's frankly surprising to find an oak aged red wine of this quality in the $5 range. Although it's not printed on the label, Viña Extrísima is apparently a "reserva" grade wine. It certainly exhibits those characteristics, and will go well with most meat dishes, casseroles, and pasta with tomato sauce.
Good clean cherry red color with a touch of brick, medium depth. Aromas
of quality oak, cinnamon spice and fine (but not overly potent) fruit.
Elegant palate with noticeable oak overtones. Slightly out of balance on
the oak side, but an excellent value just the same. The "oakiness"
will likely mellow out with a bit more bottle time. [$L]
{4 Aug 1997}
Raimat Abadía
1994 Nearly two years ago, we gave Raimat's Abadía 1990 a gold star. This week's selection from the 1994 vintage continues to maintain the same high standard. Smooth, full bodied and elegant and a good wine to go along with meats, stews and casseroles.
Made from estate grown Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 6 months
in French oak barrels followed by 12 more in Virginia oak casks. Deep,
dark cherry red color. Elegant aromas of ripe red/black berry fruit with
quality oak overtones. Well balanced, smooth, full bodied and well rounded
taste; showing ripe fruit and gentle woody spice notes. [$M]
{7 Jun 1997}
In recent years, the young fruity whites from the Rueda region have made a name for themselves in Spain and around the globe. The Félix Lorenzo Cachazo winery is a modern, family winery making both "Rueda Superior" and "Rueda" grade white. A great "first course" wine to accompany shrimp or marinated salmon.
100% Verdejo grapes (Rueda Superior must be at least 85%) with a pale
golden straw color and slightly greenish tints. Good varietal aromas with
grassy, floral overtones. Dry, fresh and tasty with a thick, almost buttery
palate. Good acidity and balance. [$M]
{20 Dec 1997}
"Fermentado en barrica" means barrel fermented, and Muga's version is an excellent example of this new generation of Rioja whites. A good companion for egg dishes and lighter pastas, this will also do quite nicely as a before dinner aperitif.
Made from mainly Viura with a touch of Malvasia. Golden yellow color.
Clean, elegant aromas of bright fruit and gentle oak. Rich, thick and tasty
on the palate. Good acidity and fine balance. Highly recommendable. [$M]
{22 Jun 1997}
Here's a good bright, medium-dry rosé. A good choice for the appetizer course, this wine will also go nicely with seafood, casseroles or pasta.
Made from Tempranillo, Moristel, Macabeo and Garnacha grapes. The color's
a bright, clean strawberry-pink. The aroma is substantial, showing lots
of red fruit with flowery-spicy overtones. The taste is smooth, balanced
and lasting. [$M]
{23 Sept 1996}
San Leon DO Jerez (Argüeso)This is an excellent example of the Manzanilla type of dry sherry. Made
by the same process as "fino", the Manzanilla-sherry is produced
only in the Sanlúar de Barrameda area around the Guadalquivir estuary.
The color is bright, straw-yellow. The aroma is crisp, fresh and slightly
saline. It's very tasty, with the characteristic sherry "flor"
taste with the typical saline overtones of Manzanilla. [$M]
{8 May 1996}
This is a sweet, dark dessert wine made from Pedro Ximenez grapes in
the Jerez region. The color is dark black-coffee color. The aroma shows
ripe rasins and typical signs of "solera"
ageing. The taste, though not particularly complex, is sweet, smooth and
most enjoyable. [$M]
{25 Feb 1996}
Rated "reserva" by the winery - meaning the base wine is barrel aged. A tart, tasty cava that's good as an apetizer and also goes well with meals - in this case the tasting group washed down large quantities of a beautiful seafood rice dish with excellent results.
Made of 60% Parellada and 40% Macabeo grapes. Clean golden color, well
supplied with small-medium sized bubbles. Crisp aromas of fruit and yeast
with a hint of oak and a pleasant citrus background tang. Dry and tasty
on the palate - while the taste is not overpowering, it's clean, with a
pleasant, slightly bitterish aftertaste. [$M]
{6 Jul 1997}
This popular cava in the black bottle is rather well known. There's
a hint of ageing, and perhaps a touch of almonds in the aroma. The taste
is dry and crisp. A good value from the Freixenet winery. [$M]
{9 Jan 1996}
Prices: To minimize confusion, and country to country differences, I'll use a Spanish Relative Price (SRP) approach. That is the normal price of the wine here in Spain, expressed in $ USA.
[$L] = Low (less than $5)
[$M] = Medium ($5 to $10)
[$H] = High (more than $10)