Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
SPAIN
Today from 1:30 - 6:30
SPAIN
Today from 1:30 - 6:30
We’re rocking three terrific red wines from Spain today. Drop by for an tantalizing tasting fiesta!
2015 CARA NORD
CONCA DE BARBERA TINTO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
CONCA DE BARBERA TINTO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
The region of Conca de Barbera has absolutely nothing to do with the Barbera grape or conking someone over the head with the bottle. Located in central Catalonia, this is an interesting growing area featuring diverse terroirs along with lands that are flat or just rolling then reaching up to 600 meters all with varying temperatures.
Cara Nord is a producer with vineyards averaging 15-80 years in age all located in the Sierra Prades section of the region that is teeming with limestone and slate under a topsoil of clay. 42% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 20% of the very rare Garrut grape, this wine is quite compelling and a ridiculous value. Instantaneous, stunning aromas that seemingly come from the berry patch leapfrog from the glass! Boysenberry, blueberry & raspberry combine with thyme and anise scents and then follow through to a palate that is crowd-pleasing, lavishly deep and complex. Ample built-up muscle and minerality around the edges giving a colloquial iron-fist in the velvet-glove character that widens on the ruggedly handsome and persistent finish. This is a wonderful wine to pair with braised lamb shanks over the next 4-6 years.
Cara Nord is a producer with vineyards averaging 15-80 years in age all located in the Sierra Prades section of the region that is teeming with limestone and slate under a topsoil of clay. 42% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 20% of the very rare Garrut grape, this wine is quite compelling and a ridiculous value. Instantaneous, stunning aromas that seemingly come from the berry patch leapfrog from the glass! Boysenberry, blueberry & raspberry combine with thyme and anise scents and then follow through to a palate that is crowd-pleasing, lavishly deep and complex. Ample built-up muscle and minerality around the edges giving a colloquial iron-fist in the velvet-glove character that widens on the ruggedly handsome and persistent finish. This is a wonderful wine to pair with braised lamb shanks over the next 4-6 years.
2015 VINA REAL
RIOJA CRIANZA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
RIOJA CRIANZA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
This is a lot of Rioja for fifteen bucks. Vina Real is one of two sister wineries under the umbrella of CVNE that was founded in 1920. The glaring difference between this selection and the CUNE wines is the blend as well as the introduction of French oak in addition to the traditional use of American oak.
2015 was a warm but not overdone vintage for this wine. 90% Tempranillo, 10% blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano and very typical of Rioja from the Alavesa district. Neo-classical fruit-forward tones of strawberry and spicy oak mingle nicely with earth tones. Plenty of voluptuous fruit is present in the mouth with lacey tannins and soft spice enable this wine to carry nicely to the dinner table. Drink it now through 2023 with roasted lamb or pork loin….PS – it also has a 92-point rating jamessuckling.com if that means anything.
2015 was a warm but not overdone vintage for this wine. 90% Tempranillo, 10% blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano and very typical of Rioja from the Alavesa district. Neo-classical fruit-forward tones of strawberry and spicy oak mingle nicely with earth tones. Plenty of voluptuous fruit is present in the mouth with lacey tannins and soft spice enable this wine to carry nicely to the dinner table. Drink it now through 2023 with roasted lamb or pork loin….PS – it also has a 92-point rating jamessuckling.com if that means anything.
2016 BLACK SLATE
PRIORAT 'GRATALLOPS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
PRIORAT 'GRATALLOPS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The Black Slate line of wines are cool and very affordable from one of Spain's great regions that's known more its luxury wines that sell well above 20 bucks. The Gratallops is done by Celler Cecilio and is specifically from the high-elevation village of Gratallops (or as Bryan calls it-Garnacha-Land on the Moon) is a deep, haunting red from black slate soils.
Mainly Grenache with dollops of Carignan and Syrah, the 2015 is smooth, graceful and large-framed, it reveals copious amounts of plum, lavender, black cherry, slate and cinnamon tones that follow into a texture that is voluptuous and substantial. Plenty of lift and structure allows it never to be cloying; it also clings to the palate in a pleasant manner well after the wine is swallowed. Very enjoyable now with an herb-crusted, roasted or grilled pork dish, however it ages impeccably and this one will drink and develop nicely through 2023.
Mainly Grenache with dollops of Carignan and Syrah, the 2015 is smooth, graceful and large-framed, it reveals copious amounts of plum, lavender, black cherry, slate and cinnamon tones that follow into a texture that is voluptuous and substantial. Plenty of lift and structure allows it never to be cloying; it also clings to the palate in a pleasant manner well after the wine is swallowed. Very enjoyable now with an herb-crusted, roasted or grilled pork dish, however it ages impeccably and this one will drink and develop nicely through 2023.
