Saturday we are featuring five wines from some of the major regions of Spain. It is a blend of a few old friends and a few new faces. Come join us and belly up to Iberia.
Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva $13
Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada
The Bohigas family has been growing grapes on their land since 1290. Their vineyards are in the Anoia River Valley, planted in limestone and clay soils, but further upstream at higher altitudes and cooler climates than the Penedes cava producers. The wine spends 24 months on its lees before disgorgement. Lemon/lime, crushed rock and white currant notes are present in this crisp, elegant, refreshing, zesty, dry sparkler. Hints of wheat thins and brioche add complexity.
2016 Sin PalaBRAS, Albareño $18
An Upper Case Albareño from Rais Baixais from 75-year-old vines. Classic Albariño aromas of sea brine, tropical fruits, lees and dust precede a minerally lemony palate with tangy flavors of lemon, lime and gooseberry. This is a fresh clean example with a long stony citrusy finish.
2016 Protos, Tinto Fino $15
100% Tempranillo
“Ribera del Duero” was literally this winery’s brand name until 1982, when Protos gifted the name to the rest of the region, allowing for the creation of the Ribera del Duero appellation. The Into Fino has black fruit aromas, well balances with the oak, bringing sweet spicy and nice toasty notes. It is tasty, sweet, well balanced, with pleasant smooth tannins and toasty reminders on the finish.
2010 Lan Rioja Grand Reserva $25
Bodegas LAN was founded in 1972 and named after the initials of the 3 provinces in the Rioja Designation of Origin: Logrono (now La Rioja) Alava and Navarra. It is located in the heart of Rioja Alta. Their Grand Reserva has aromas of ripe red fruits combined with spicy notes from the aging in oak (vanilla, cinnamon, fennel, licorice root) and tertiary aromas (leather, cigar box) from its prolonged bottle ageing. Full bodied and round, its mouthfeel is elegant and very well balanced.
2014 Unio Licorella Priorat $25
50% Carignan, 25% Garnacha, 15% Merlot
Priorat’s steep slopes of licorella (brown and black slate) and quartzite soils, protection from the cold winds of the Siera de Monstant and a lack of water, leading to incredibly low vine yields, all work together to make the region’s wines unique. The mineral essence and unprecedented concentration of a Priorat wine is unmistakable. Unio’s Classic has drilling aromas of graphite and balsamic dark fruits. Roaring berry, chocolate and pepper flavors get brushed aside by the tannic roughness of the 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.