In stock now at Forsyth
We have some amazing values coming from Spain this week, quantities are limited to act fast:
"(100% tempranillo; aged for six months in tank followed by six months in French and American oak): Brilliant ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, potpourri and woodsmoke. Silky and open-knit, offering juicy dark berry and violet pastille flavors and a touch of mocha. The floral note carries through on the finish, which features soft tannins and slow-building spiciness. As usual, this is a fantastic value."
Rated 90/100 Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Even more so is the 2011 Zerran, which ratchets up the level of concentration and ripe fruit. It reveals abundant kirsch, lavender, black raspberry and dusty, loamy, earthy scents intermixed with notions of spring flowers and blackberries. There is not any oak evident in this dense effort. Its completeness and overall equilibrium are impressive, and this great value should drink well for 5-6 years, possibly longer.
Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate
The 2011 Romanico (100% Tinta de Toro) was fashioned from yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, and was aged six months in 100% new French oak. A sensational red, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as a sweet perfume of lead pencil shavings, violets, licorice, blackberries and black currants. Keep in mind that Tinta de Toro is essentially a cousin of Tempranillo, but a lower yielding grape. Full-bodied with a voluptuous texture and a long finish, it should drink well for 6-10 years. It tastes like a wine that costs $50 or more rather than $16.50
Rated 91/100 The Wine Advocate
2011 Teso la Monja "Almirez"...$24.99
Another great value is the 2011 Almirez, which comes from old, ungrafted, head-pruned Tinta de Toro vines. The vineyards are planted at 2,300 foot elevation, and the yields in 2011 were 18 hectoliters per hectare. The wine spent 12 months in 30% new French oak. A fabulous effort, it could easily pass for a big, rich Chateauneuf du Pape, even though there is not a touch of Grenache to be found in it. Its dense purple color is accompanied by notes of charcoal, barbecued meat, blackberries, cassis, licorice, camphor and spring flowers. Boasting massive concentration, a full-bodied mouthfeel and lavish extract, all concealing of its French oak aging, this rich, full 2011 possesses velvety tannins as well as a finish that lasts nearly 40 seconds. At this quality level, one would expect the price to be three digits or more. Enjoy it over the next 10 years.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate
2011 Alto Moncayo...$39.99
I tend to drink Alto Moncayo during its first 5-6 years of life. Although I was sure they had aging potential, I did not realize just how much longevity these wines possess. They are generally full-bodied, powerful (with at least 15.5% natural alcohol), concentrated, rich wines made from very old vines and tiny yields. If you are not into flavor concentration or care about artisanal wines from great terroirs that have been ignored for centuries, this may not be the wine for you. Not one of these ten vintages was close to full maturity. The two most recent vintages, 2010 and 2011, were both late, cooler years and both have turned out to be sexy wines. I suspect that in many ways, 2011 will behave like 2006, being precocious and delicious, but not as long-lived as some of its siblings. These wines appear to have 20-30 years of aging potential, although the sweet spot for drinking them appears to be between age 8 and 15.
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate
2012 Jorge Ordonez & Co Victoria #2 Moscatel...$22.99 / 375ml
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate
2012 Jorge Ordonez & Co Select Especial #1...$16.99 / 375ml
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate
SOLD OUT
2011 Alvear Pedro Ximenez...$21.99 / 375ml
Alvear’s 2011 Pedro Ximenez de Anada is the most amazing Pedro Ximenez I have ever tasted. It may also be one of the first to be vintage-dated. The grapes were hand-harvested in September, then allowed to dry in the sunshine until they began fermentation, which is ultimately arrested by the addition of spirits. The wine spent six months in large American oak prior to being bottled. It is an amazing effort that looks like molasses. Notes of macerated figs, chocolate and caramelized tropical fruits emerge from this full-bodied, unctuously-textured wine. While sweet, it has enough acidity to balance out its richness. This astonishing 2011 Pedro Ximenez will last as long as any reader of this newsletter.
Rated 100/100 The Wine Advocate
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