This Saturday we are tasting Spanish wines that don’t break the bank. All these wines out perform their price point. Come and taste them for yourself.
2012 Marques de la Concordia Reserva de la Familia Brut Nature $14
30% Chardonnay, 25% Macabeo, 20% Xerello, 25% Parellada
This unique Cava is aged 4 years in bottle before release. The reserve has apple and brioche aromas are composed on the nose. A plump, slightly oxidized palate offers mild fruit tones, but shows a welcome shot of citrus on the finish.
2016 Bodegas Naia ‘Naia’ $14
1005Verdejo
Bodegas Naia is located in the village La Seca, which is considered the Grand Cru of the D. O. Rueda and where some of the oldest vineyards of this Denomination of Origin can be found. The Naia aged for 4 months on it lees. It has a lively, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchid fruits, jasmine and dusty minerals, and a hint of anise builds in the glass. Incisive, mineral-driven Meyer lemon and a green apple flavors stretch out and deepen while maintaining vivacity.
2010 Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Reserva $19
95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo & Graciano
Bodegas Zugober in La Rioja Alavesa was founded in 1987 by the young enologists, Eduardo Gomez and Isabel Bernardo, who were determined to set up a modern winery based on old wine-making traditions. Their Resserva is elegant and aromatic. The wine boasts great fruit, spice as well as earthy nuances.
2012 Altos de Tamaron Reserva Ribera del Duero $18
Only the very best Tempranillo grapes are selected to create this wine. Its grapes are selected from 40-year-old vines that produce no more that 4 to 5 small scattered clusters. Smokey rosemary, fresh meat and baked soil are decidedly earth aromas. On the tongue it is plush, laden with sweet baking spices and supple vanilla and coconut cream. Strong cinnamon and ripe blackberries are long lasting in the mouth.
2012 Mas Igneus Barranc dels Closos Negre Priorat $18
60% Garnatxa Negra (Grenache) and 40% Carinyena (Carignan)
These vineyards are located near a gorge, or barranc in the Catalan language, in the Priorat DO of northeastern Spain. They are certified organic. The wine ages in previously-used French Allier barrels for 3 months. It has enticing bouquet of toast, wood, milky cherry and milky raspberry on the nose and sour cherry, red currant, with refreshing acidity and dusty tannins (decant for 60+ min) and a medium to long, silky, finish.
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.