Saturday we’re pouring new wines from Spain. Some are new releases, some are new to town, some are new to the shop. All express the diversity of Spanish wine making. Come try these delicious wines from Penedès, Bierzo, Toro, and Navarra.
Naveran Cava Brut Reserva $15
50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada
The Naveran is an estate-bottled vintage Cava from Organically grown vines. Xarello contributes body, Macabeo gives aromatic intensity and Parellada lends acidity to the wine. This grower Cava that spends 18 months on its lees after fermentation in the bottle to achieve greater depth, complexity and the fine, delicate and long lasting bubbles. It has strong aromas of yeast and smoke, and a supple, tasty palate, with well-integrated bubbles, good acidity and freshness.
2013 Armas de Guerra Mencia Rosé $12
From a new farmer’s cooperative in Bierzo, Armas de Guerra has come out of the gate with some great and reasonably priced wines. Their Rosé has dry floral aromas with crisp, tropical flavors like mango, papaya and lime.
2012 Armas de Guerra, Mencia Tinto $12
The red wine from Armas de Guerra is all Mencia. It has lots of dry dark fruit and a pleasant finish.
2010 Cal Banca Toro $15
Tinto di Toro (Tempranillo)
Cal Blanca, “white chalk” in English, refers to the chalky, calcareous limestone soils found on the estate. The vines are head pruned in the traditional manner, dry farmed (no irrigation), and tended using organic viticulture. The wine displays violet and graphite aromas along with cassis, candied plum, licorice and smoky minerals and spicy dark fruit flavors. It finishes sweet and long, with gentle tannins adding grip.
2009 Barón de Magaña $23
Navarra
35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet, 20% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah
Barón de Magaña comes from a vineyard in Navarra started 45 years ago from cuttings from Château Petrus (yup, that’s Bordeaux). Southern Navarra has limestone soil that imparts characters of minerality and acidity to the vines in keeping with their heritage. The Barón possesses a Bordeaux like personality. The wine was aged 14 months in 70% new oak. It boasts abundant notes of sweet mulberries, white chocolate and black currant fruit, incense, vanillin, mocha and a hint of espresso. It is a complex, modern-styled, Spanish red offering loads of fruit, medium to full body, and terrific balance as well as purity.
