Tasting notes; Spain & Portugal, August 3, 2019

2018 Quinta Picouto de Cima Rosé

Vinho Verde, PT

Regular Price $13.99

Sale price $10.99

Vinho Verde, which means ‘green wine’ refers both to a place (in the upper northwest of Portugal) and the wine that is made there. Light, bright and fresh, Vinho Verde can de white, red or rosé and is made to be consumed while the wine is young and still fresh (just like most other wines). This delicious rosé is made entirely of Espadiero, and its delivers fresh berry flavors and floral aromas and crisp acidity. 

2015 Vina de Martin ‘Os Pasas’

Ribeiro, SP

Regular Price $32.99 

Sale price $25.99

From a blend of mostly Treixadura with Lado, Albariño, and Torrontes, planted on steep granite hillsides in the town of Arnoia. Os Pasas  is a fresh medium-bodied vino blanco with beautiful structure and subtle flavors of citrus, honey, and seashell minerality.

2015 Rubrica Branco

Alentejano, PT

Regular Price $29.99 

Sale price $23.99

This is a big, rich, opulent and oaky wine, so clearly not for everyone. Made from Antão Vaz, Gouveio, and Viognier, it leads with oak, vanilla and lush stone fruit aromas. Round and, yep, oaky, it’s not lacking in acidity and the oak leaves some wood tannins behind, but you had better like oak to like this wine.

2017 La Senda ‘1984’

Bierzo, SP

Regular Price $23.99 

Sale price $18.99

This wine is thrilling! Made from old vine Mencia, its rich yet balanced, focused but not one dimensional Dense fruit flavors and herbal aromas lure you in, and the savory mid-palate and taut acidity brings the wine home. 

2015 Condado de Haza Crianza

Ribera del Duero

Regular Price $21.99 

Sale price $17.99

Alejandro revolutionized the world of Spanish wines in the 70s and 80s by planting Tempranillo on the old, unused sugar-beet fields of Ribera del Duero. Utilizing modern growing techniques (hi density, low to ground vines) and plenty of new wood, the wines of Pesquera were an international hit. Condado de Haza is his second wine, from younger vines (planted in 1989) but with the same trademark style: lush, rich, oaky and bold.

2017 Serras del Priorat

Margaux, FR

Regular Price $39.99

Sale price $31.99 

With the addition of 6% Cabernet Sauvignon to this traditional Priorat blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, this wine is even more structured and ageworthy than in vintages past. Bold but not overwhelming, its carries its high (15%) alcohol well and illustrates the value and quality of Priorat wines.