Calvados, tempranillo
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Alegre Valganon 'La Calleja' Tempranillo 2019The red 2019 La Calleja comes from a vineyard that could only be bottled in 2010, 2016 and 2018, as it has suffered everything—hail, frost or whatever. It's from a north-facing plot that was planted in 1992 in Fonzaleche on shallow sandstone soils on white limestone that is harvested late but keeps a moderate degree (14.2%). This 2019 feels darker than usual, with black rather than red fruit, but it is still vibrant on the palate with freshness and fine tannins. The vineyard is farmed organically (but not certified), and they started with regenerative agriculture in 2019. It had a long élevage of 23 months in foudres and 500-liter barrels. 5,200 bottles were filled in September 2021. LUIS GUTIERREZ, The Wine Advocate
La Calleja is a single hectare planted in 1992 by Eva with her father, when she was a little girl. 100% Tempranillo and typically yields 4500 litres (although the first vintage, 2010 produced just 3000 bottles). Its name means 'little street'. Mountainous, with lots of stone in the soil, Fonzaleche village produces light and fluid wines with excellent acid structure. Typical handling regime: lightly crushed (yielding only a half-litre per kilo of fruit), open fermentation in medium-sized old wood for 6 days without additions (total sulphur, 40mg/l).Fruity-floral with violets, a fresh, mineral acidity and lovely texture, La Calleja is a genuine 'voice' distinct from the me-too choir of industrial-process Rioja.
2019tempranilloSpain472Special Price $76.00 Regular Price $89.00 -
Victoria Ordonez Camarolos tinto 2018Wine has been part of Victoria Ordóñez’s life for as long as she can remember. Her father, José María Ordóñez, was a pioneer of the Spanish wine industry, distributing fine wines across the Province of Malaga since the ’50s. Although Victoria’s own professional career took off in a different direction – she studied to be a doctor and has a PhD in Medicine – in 2004 she decided to enter the wine business, initially combining it with her work as a health service administrator.
Victoria admits that she owes everything to the Austrian oenologist Alois Kracher, with whom she worked side by side making Málaga wines until his death in 2007. It was at this point that her career took a fresh turn as she decided to focus exclusively on what had become her passion – the world of wine.
Tasting: Bright red fruits, fennel, and other Mediterranean herbs, chocolate, and violet aromas. Maroon color and fine tannins lend a pleasing structure. Vibrant with red berries and spicy flavors, the wine is at once concentrated and fresh. Beautiful silkiness and great finesse with a very fresh finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah.20 months in barrels and 12 months in bottle. BARRICA WINES2018Cabernet Sauvignon, shiraz, tempranilloSpainSpecial Price $76.00 Regular Price $89.00 -
Telmo Rodriguez Lanzaga 2018This is so beautifully balanced with bright fruit, creamy and crunchy acidity and delicate tannins. Full and compressed with very polished tannins that go on for minutes. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING
Lanzaga a village wine, combining 35 plots, handled separately and blended after selection. Aged a year or so: half the wine matures in relatively neutral 1500-2000 litre wood; the rest in a mix of 225 and 600 litre barrels (at most 10% new oak).2016tempranilloSpain472Special Price $76.00 Regular Price $89.00 -
Jose Gil Vino de Pueblo San Vicente Rioja 2021This village wine is from a collection of vineyards in the highlands around San Vicente, at altitudes of 500m and above, from different sites and soils. Of San Vicente’s six valleys, all but la Rad figure. The composition is Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and a little Viura. Manual harvest; destemmed; all the plots are made separately, then blended.
After fermentation in the concrete cubes in Briones, 40% of the village blend lingers in concrete, while the balance has ten months of gentle ageing is in old 500L barrels in the medieval cellar of San Vicente’s Castle Davalillo.
The whole orchard on display here, wood, flowers and fruits of cherries and apples, boysenberry, plum and blackberry. All is cut to shape by hyssop, juniper, dry brown spices and orchard bark. Savoury-but-juicy, it’s open, perfumed and round. Gravel and iron in the soil nuance the satin fruit-tannin sumptuousness. It’s a wine of great harmony and balance, and as it lingers, fruitfulness is beautifully trimmed by tannin to the finish where spice, bitters and easy nutty acid join in the violets-in-earth gorgeousness. SCOTT WASLEY
A river of black fruit, subtle florals and brown spices. Beautiful purity in the fruit, such detail and intensity and while there's a dusting of oak spice, the power and deeply pitched and mineral flecked fruit is very special. Bristling with energy. As I said above, long and aristocratic. Utterly convincing and delicious wine. MICHAEL MCNAMARA
2021tempranilloSpain472Special Price $89.00 Regular Price $105.00