La Cartuja Priorat 2013 La Cartuja is a unique wine produced in the Priorat region, one of the most prestigious appellations in Spain. Priorat is special due to the unmistakable mineral identity that the licorella (volcanic Slate) imparts in its wines. When you taste a Priorat wine, you are not only tasting a grape but also a place. The mineral flavors of the place overpower the natural flavors of the grape. La Cartuja was born in 2007 with the objective of bottling a special wine that is able to capture the mineral identity of this unique territory. A second objective with La Cartuja was to make a Priorat that approachable…
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Muga 2005 Gran Reserva Prado Enea Since the XVII century, the Muga family has been linked to the wine world and to the area of Rioja. Fast forward to 1932 when Bodega Muga winery was founded and today the winery operates with the same principals it did almost 100 years ago. Muga also has its own cooperage and is able to control the right touch of oak desired in its offerings. Opening a bottle, which I let sit for about an hour, the color was a glistening bright ruby. The nose was clean with plenty of ripe red and black fruit with a touch of spice and herbs. The wine…
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Muga 2009 Reserva Unfiltered Since the XVII century, the Muga family has been linked to the wine world and to the area of Rioja. Fast forward to 1932 when Bodega Muga Winery was founded and today the winery operates with the same principals it did almost 100 years ago. Muga also has its own cooperage and is able to control the right touch of oak desired in its offerings. Opening a bottle, which I let sit for about an hour, the color was a glistening deep ruby. The nose was clean with plenty of ripe red and black fruit with a touch of spice. The wine is made from 70%…
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Martinez Lacuesta 2005 Reserva Félix Martínez Lacuesta, obtained a law doctorate from the University of Madrid, founded the bodega in 1895, at 21 years of age, together with his brothers. He was the first president of the National Society of Winemakers and Associated Industries and he directed the La Rioja Wine Syndicate. In 1909 Don Félix Martínez Lacuesta was granted a registered trademark “Martínez Lacuesta” for all types of wine, one of the oldest trademarks in Spain. Fast forward to 2009 where the company’s director Don Luis Martínez Lacuesta completed a new bodega in Haro, on a piece of land called Ubieta, that has been in operation since 2010. Opening…
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Ramón Bilbao 2005 Gran Reserva Bodegas Ramón Bilbao was founded by Ramón Bilbao Murga, an experienced wine trader who had been selling wine since 1896 from premises at Calle Las Cuevas in Haro. Ramón Bilbao was a forward-looking grape grower; a pioneer in the art of ageing. The winery was handed down from one generation to the next until the year 1966, when Ramón Bilbao Pozo, the last of the descendants, died. The business was converted into a corporation with new shareholders. New facilities were built, also in Haro. The new company wished to continue the work of its founder, Ramón Bilbao, and concentrated on making aged wines. The family…
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La Rioja Alta S.A. 2001 Gran Reserva 904 On the 10th of July 1890, five Basque and Rioja families shared their passion for wine and founded “Sociedad Vinicola De La Rioja Alta” in what is known as the Haro Station District. La Rioja Alta, S.A. That day was the start of an ongoing searching for excellence that their descendants still pursue today. The company changed its name to “LA RIOJA ALTA” in 1891, and in 1941 the company took on its present name, LA RIOJA ALTA, S.A. A year later, chairman of the board, Leandro Ardanza Angulo, the renowned brand name, “Viña Ardanza”, was registered. To give you a little…
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Sierra Cantabria 2009 Crianza Founded in 1957 by Guillermo Eguren, Sierra Cantabria is sheltered in the heart of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a town of historic winemaking tradition, positioned in a unique location between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabria mountain range. The Sierra Cantabria mountains and the Ebro river create a special microclimate with Mediterranean and Continental characteristics providing mild winters and gentle summers, unique for vine cultivation. In addition, the summers get a “thermal jump” with intense heat during the day with crisp night temperatures which creates an increase in the level of polyphenols, found in many fine wines. The soils are calcareous clay which is…
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Don Olegario 2012 & 2013 Riax Baixas Albariño I recently tasted both the 2012 and 2103 vintages of Don Olegario Albariño. The Falcon brothers currently manage Bodegas Don Olegario, however the tradition and passion for wine was inherited from their grandfather Adolph Falcon, who since 1950 was dedicated to the marketing of wine locally. Olegario, the Falcon brothers father, established himself as winemaker in 1980, bought the vineyard and began making Albariño wine under the name of Don Olegario, and in 1988 joined Dorian Baixas. Today, the third generation of Falcon brothers are committed to maintain the same style and quality of wine produced by their father. Rias Baixas is…
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Alto Moncayo 2010 Veraton Bodegas Alto Moncayo is truly among one of Spain’s finest wine estates. Bodegas Alto Moncayo is a joint venture of Jorge Ordoñez, Jose Miguel San Martin, Dan Phillips together with Bodegas Borsao. Their flagship wine is Alto Moncayo made from 100% old vines Grenache grapes. Today I will comment on their other offering, Veraton, also made from 100% old vines Grenache grapes planted between 50 and 100 years ago. As you will soon learn, the Veraton is an outstanding wine that is a significant value for the price. Their website is still being developed, but check out what they have and read the reviews from Robert…
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Marqués de Murrieta 2007 Rioja Reserva I recently reviewed Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta’s Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2005, see my June 27, 2014 Cellar Selection review, which is their outstanding flagship wine made only in exceptional years. Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta was founded by Luciano Francisco Ramon de Murrieta in 1852. He spent his youth in Peru and then moved to London. In 1844, Luciano settled in Spain and decided to make wine. In 1878, he purchased the 300-hectares Ygay Estate in the Rioja Alta. Queen Isabel II made him Marquesado de Murrieta; and so the estate of Marqués de Murrieta was born. In 1983, Bodegas Marqués de…