Denominación de Origen Calificada, is the highest category in Spanish wine, reserved for regions with above-average grape prices and particularly stringent quality controls. Rioja was the first Spanish region to be awarded DOC status in 1991, followed by Priorat in 2003. These are the only two regions considered “above” DO status.  This Saturday we’ll be trying several wines from Rioja and one from Priorat.  Come see what difference the C makes.
 
2015 El Coto, Rioja Blanco $12
100% Viura
Viura makes fruity wines with floral notes and notable acidity.  The El Coto Blanco is intensely aromatic, well balanced, with body and the fruit has a refreshing tart character. Pleasant acidity combines perfectly with an exquisite aftertaste of flowers, fruit and fine herbs.

2016 El Coto, Rosado $12
Tempranillo, Garnacha
This rosé is produced by bleeding of the free-run juice from the grapes. The wine has aromas of fresh strawberries and caramel. On the palate, it is fresh as well as fruit focused.
 
2013 El Coto, Crianza $13
Tempranillo
El Cotos Crianza ages for 12 months in select 225 liter American oak barrels and 6months in the bottle before leaving the winery. In the wine glass it presents a clean, bright cherry color with a garnet edge. On the nose, it maintains the freshness of the fruit, with notes of vanilla and the most emblematic aromas of toasted oak. On the palate it is silky and persistent presenting a taste of well blended spice.
 
2011 Beronia, Reserva  $18
94% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo
The Beronia Reserva is aged in mixed oak barrels of American staves and French tops for 20 months to allow a paused and harmonic evolution. The American oak gives a sweet character of vanilla and coconut while the French oak gives spice, making for the perfect balance. It is then aged in bottle for 18 months before release.  The wine has an attractive nose with candied fruits and plum marmalade in perfect harmony with sweet aromas such as chocolate. On the palate, the characteristic Tempranillo notes of cherry and strawberry are accompanied by licorice, balanced acidity and silky tannins.
 
2014 Marco Abella, Loidana Priorat $35
44% Grenache, 38% Carignan, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Loidana ages 12 months in French Oak barrels from five different coopers.  It is a blend of the Priorat’s two indigenous varieties, Grenache and Carignan with Cabernet Sauvignon adding structure and depth. This wine is smooth on the palate and remains harmonious to the finish. Loidana offers notes of red fruit and black berries with hints of spices.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.