Off to Spain, and Yes I want to go there for Vacation, one because of the awesome canaadian dollar, and spain has been hurt a bit in the whole euro mess, with bad employment numbers so that should make it cheaper, but the most important reason is the wine! maybe the sun? Music? Gaudy artwork? ahh soo many reasons.
Well here are some from around the country, the Priorat was a disappointment I have had better even from the same vintage. The Jumilla is well I dont want to say this but Oaky Deliciousness, it is plain and simple not a food wine really a party wine yeah I mean it is 15% Alc. but the R. Lopez de Heredia is amazing, Just so Elegant and Development just beautiful, to think that "modern" winemaking IE Oaky Fruit bombs took over the region such a shame.
WSET LEVEL 3 PART 2 WEEK 2 SPAIN - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (7/13/2010)
Spain this week, no Bubbles, that will have its own week, same with Sherry
- 2008 Martín Códax Albariño Rías Baixas Burgáns - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Clear, Pale+ Lemon moving to a watery Rim, with moderate legs
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Youthful
Green Fruit[Apple], Opening to Peach, Floral, Citrus, Savoury/Mineral
T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med Body, med Alc, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish
Lemon, Apple, 'Creamy Peaches', Floral, Kiwi
Conclusion: Very good wine, mid priced, ready to drink can keep for a couple years(89 pts.) - 2008 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Blanco - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Clear, Med Lemon, Going out to a pale watery rim, showing significant legs
A: Clean, Med to Med+ Intensity, develping
Mineral[very clean], savoury, light apple, little animal/lanolin, "floral" more dried tho
T: Dry, Med Acid, Med+ Body, Med+ Alc, Med Intensity, Long Finish
Apple/Pear, Citrus/lime, Mineral
Conc: I enjoyed this a lot, teacher not as much drinking well now(88 pts.)
- 2007 Miguel Torres Priorat Salmos - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
Clear, Med+ Ruby, Showing Signicant Legs [15% Alc]
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, develping
Savoury/Mineral. Cherry[Dark], Spice [Sarsaparilla], Tar
T: Dry, Med Acid, Med Tannin, Med to Full Body, Med Intensity, Med Finish, HIgh Alc
Creamy Oak, Cherry[Dark], Spice
Conc: Awkward finish, might do better with age potential is there but for tonight there were better that's for sure(86 pts.) - 2007 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla (Silver Label) - Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
Clear, Deep Ruby, Going to a Med Ruby Rim, showing med+ legs
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Starting to develop
Mineral, Oak/Sweet Vanilla, Blackberry, Cherry, Cinnamon Spice, Coffee/Mocha
T: Dry, Med- Acid, Med Tannin, Full Body, High Alc, Med Intensity, Med+ Finish
Cherry, Blackberry, Cola, COLA!, Spice[Sweetness], Woody/Tobacco, Plum
Conc: This is the "the bottle of the night party wine" so big and massive and ripe and so darn delicious that it will win you over.(88 pts.) - 2006 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera Crianza - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Clear, Deep Purple going to a med Ruby Rim, showing legs
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity starting to develop
Cedar, Twigs, BLackberry, Mineral, Grain/cereal, opening up in the glass with Cucumbers/watermelon
T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med+ Body, Med+ Alc, Med Intensity, Med Finish
Red fruit, Tart, Sour Cherry/Dusty Tannin, Cukes/Watermelon
Conc: good wine, simple on the palate, nose shows promise(88 pts.) - 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Clear, Med Garnet moving to a wide rim
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Developed
Spice Box, Warm/Candy, Dried Sour Cherry, Savoury, Tar, Whole Wheat grain/toast, Licorice
T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med Tannin, Med Body, med Alc, Med+ Intensity, Long Finish
Sour Cherry, Savoury/mineral, Licorice, Dried Flowers
Conc: Absolutely Gorgeous, this is where its at
Side Note: Teacher picked up a lot of oak notes not me tho(93 pts.)
THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)
