Friday Sips

2014 RAVENTOS i BLANC
BLANC DE BLANCS 'L'HEREU'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Raventos i Blanc is one of Spain’s most prestigious, prodigal and profound producer of sparkling wines. So much that they led the charge and established a new appellation for Spanish Sparkling wine called Conca Del Riu Anoia. This decision was made in order to separate the boutique, quality focused producers within the Cava category from those who are of the more industrial sized and based on quantity. The regulations are much more stringent in Conca Del Riu Anoia, a small geographical area surrounding the Anoia River valley Eastern Penedes. Lees contact versus Cava is a minimum of 18 months versus nine for Cava and only indigenous grapes permitted. Vineyards must be 10-years-old and organically certified as well.

All said and moving forward, this leader is making stunning sparkling wines. Period! Absolutely stunning sparkling wine made from 40% Xarel-lo, 40% Macabeo, 20% Parellada from 40-year-old vines and disgorged in April of 2017. Upon bringing the glass to your nose to smell, one sees the evidence of excellent attention to detail. Laden with pear, citrus and freshly cut apple tone, then buffered nicely by fine leesy notes. Polished, mouthfilling bubbles bring everything together into a package inspired by Champagne with all of its creamy gentleness.

2014 RAVENTOS i BLANC
BRUT ROSE 'DE NIT'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

42% Macabeo, 37% Xarel.lo, 14% Parrellada, 7% Monastell from all estate vineyards then aged 30 or so months before disgorgement. This is a pink fizz that we have absolutely no problem drinking, and you shouldn't either, especially since it won't bust the piggy bank like Rose Champagne is doing right now.

Alluring, sexy-pink color, teeming with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, mineral and lemon, this bubbly follows into the mouth with a cascading texture and plenty of burst of flavor that doesn't seem to let up. You'll look even better than you already do while hoisting a glass of this sparkling rose at a gathering, but if you're not worried purely about aesthetics or narcissism, drink it with grilled fish or chicken.

2013 RAVENTOS i BLANC
BRUT 'DE LA FINCA'
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK

"Champagne has warped our fragile little minds." BS, heisting a line from the renowned, round and profound Eric Cartman of South Park
As many of you know, Karen, Bricco and I all have Champagne fetishes. We also know that many of you have this same secret dark skeleton. Being the Champagne addicts that we are, we often will turn our noses up at anything produced outside of the Champagne region. Fighting against the machine-harvest menace, Raventos I Blanc comes to cleanse our minds, souls and our palates with yet another spectacular sparkling wine.

Biggest difference in this wine vs. the previous offerings is the aging, at least 36 months on the lees, and the more prominent use of the estate's top Xarel.lo (45%) and Macabeo grapes (42%) to go along with the Parellada. Instantly, one look and smell indicates that this is a much more serious expression. Marzipan, flowers, peach-pit, and an almost cherry scent calmly and gently waft. Outstanding finesse, both aromatically and in flavor. Creamy, fine bubbles are enhanced by energetic and lemony briskness that is very apparent on the mouth-watering, palate-cleansing, thrusting finish. Again, a bit more serious, but still great for sipping and it will nicely stand up to cod, salmon, shrimp or something drowned in a romesco sauce.

2012 LA HORRA
RIBERA DEL DUERO 'CORIMBA'
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PK

A few years back, rumors persisted about Rioja icon Bodegas Roda buying land and making wine across the small mountain chain in the primo Spanish wine region of Ribera Del Duero. Soon enough rumors became facts and we are seeing the results of the brilliance that this estate exudes.

Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (the Tempranillo clone for the region), this wine displays the power and richness that is what this area is about yet maintains all of the class and suaveness that Roda is about. Exuding Spanish sophistication at its finest, the 2012 is loaded with flavor and aromas of black plum, raspberry, fresh-cut roses, vanilla and cedarbox. The texture is ripe and caresses all of the senses with fine structure and zestiness brought about from the area’s cool nights; it is also very long, stacked and silky. Normally priced in the mid-$30 range, our distributor offered up an excellent price. Truly undervalued at 24 bucks, roast some pork laced with paprika and go to town. Drink now through 2024.