Spanish Wine
“Bodegas As Laxas has been family owned and operated since its inception in 1862. Located in the Condado de Tea sub-section of the Rias Baixas region, the bodega is located on a hill just north of the Mino River. The vineyards are terraced with a southern exposure overlooking the Mino River. The original bodega was destroyed in a fire in 1960. The bodega was rebuilt shortly after the fire and has been continually updated over the past 40 years, allowing Bodegas As Laxas to remain on the cutting edge of wine technology.”
Bodegas As Laxas Laxas Albarino 2012– Rias Baixas, Spain. Albarino. Average age of vines: 25 years. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks; aged for 3 months in tank. 90 points Wine Enthusiast- “Flowery aromas of peach, honey-suckle, and vanilla give this wine its marching orders. The smooth juicy palate is what consistently makes Laxas one of the best Albarino’s from Rias Baixas. Citrus, apple, and minerality combine effortlessly on the palate, and the finish is long, clean, and oceanic.” $12.99
“Bodegas La Candelaria is owned by a small group of growers and winemakers who were members of the former cooperative. They formed an association with 4 other small bodegas so they can share equipment and technology to reduce their individual overhead costs. The bodega is located near the small village of Casas de Haro where some of the oldest Tempranillo vineyards are located and traditionally yield more complex and high quality red wines.”
Bodegas La Candelaria Cubo Seleccion Tempranillo 2011– La Mancha, Spain. Tempranillo. Age of vines: up to 50 years. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks; aged for 7 months in French and Hungarian oak, 20% new. 90 points Wine Advocate- “The 2011 Cubo Seleccion comes from a 31-hectare parcel of 40+-year-old bush vines and is raised for seven months in barrel (20% new). Here I do find just a touch of sur-maturite on the nose, and perhaps it could have been picked a little earlier. The palate is fleshy and seamless on the entry – it is like drinking a cough candy (which is undeniably pleasurable in its own way.) It is built to seduce and it does a superb job in that respect.” $10.99
“Bodegas La Milagrosa was founded by a small group of growers in 1962. The bodega owns many small vineyards that were planted in the early 1940’s. These vineyards surround the bodega on the short, rolling hills that give the illusion of continuing to the horizon. Each vineyard is surrounded by rocks, pine trees, thyme, and have varying orientations. The varying orientations produce grapes that vary in acidity and structure. The grapes from each of the vineyards are vinified separately, which gives tremendous flexibility when blending the different coupages to achieve the maximum balance in the final wine. Milcampos means ‘a thousand fields’ because looking from the bodega across the horizon along the rolling hills, each hill looks like a different vineyard, particularly in the early morning when the fog in the valley separates each hill.”
Bodegas La Milagrosa Milcampos Vinas Viejas Tempranillo 2011– Ribera del Duero, Spain. Tempranillo. Age of vines: more than 60 years old. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks; aged for 10 months in new American and Hungarian oak. “The Milcampos Vinas Viejas comes from vines planted in 1930 and raised in French and Hungarian oak barrels. The nose is bashful at first with subtle black cherry and violet scents, but the palate is simply divine with fine tannins and an effortless, pure, poised finish that cleanses the mouth and leaves you yearning for that next drop.” $13.99
“Rafael Cambra is one of the most enigmatic and innovative young winemakers in Spain. Rafael has spent much of his life in the vineyards. His family operates one of the most prestigious nurseries in Spain, with an impressive list of clients such as Vega Sicilia, Mariano Garcia, Alvaro Palacios, and many more. Rafael is as much a visionary as a winemaker, and as much scientist as farmer. He is constantly in the vineyard and the laboratory, experimenting with different grapes and innovative blends.”
Bodegas Rafael Cambra Soplo Garnacha 2010– Valencia, Spain. Garnacha. Age of vines: 31 years. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks; aged in 2-4 year old French oak barrels for 3 months. 89 Wine Enthusiast- “Red berry and plum aromas form the base of this wines’s fresh uncomplicated bouquet. It feels juicy and bright, with good layering and aggressive flavors of berry and plum. The finish is dry and snappy with mild oak and spice flavors.” $10.99
Torres Winery– “Our family, generation after generation, has passed down the secret of making great wines and the love of the land. This tradition and a vision for the future has transformed Torres into a renowned company whose products can now be found in more than 140 countries. In 1870 the company is founded by Jaime and Miguel Torres. The bodega is built opposite the railway station in Vilafranca… In 1954 Sangre de Toro was put on sale for the first time: Miguel Torres, was already seeking out the most prized red grapes of the region, Garnacha and Cariñena, to create a different wine that would express the authentic character of the land. This led to the birth of “Sangre de Toro”, whose name is inspired by Baccus, Roman god of wine, known in ancient times as “Son of the Bull”.”
Torres Sangre de Toro Blanco 2011– Catalunya, Spain. Parellada (a traditional white grape) fermented and aged in stainless steel. “Elegant, fresh, fruity aromas with fine spicy hints. Smooth, rich and crisp on the palate, with plenty of fruity flavors (apples and pineapples) and a touch of spice (fennel).” “The palate is actually nicely balanced, not a complex wine, but it offers attractive ginger and spice notes towards the easy-going finish.” $10.99
Torres Sangre de Toro Tinto 2011– Catalunya, Spain. A blend of 60% Garnacha and 40% Cariñena that fermented in stainless steel and aged in American oak for six months. “Deep ruby colour with a hint of ochre. Rich complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavours of licorice and small dark forest fruits. Perfect with stews, game, meat paellas and traditional mountain cuisine.” $10.99