25. May 2008 by Sebastien Gavillet.

This was the 15th annual Great Match; Wine and Tapas, which previewed more than 250 wines Spanish wines, representing large variety of Spain’s 67 denominations (DO). This tasting was exclusively open to food/wine professionals and to the press, giving them a first-hand look at the latest wines from Spain. This event was extremely well organized and I already look forward to next year’s event.

As you can imagine, I did not sample all of the 250 wines. I narrowed my selection to about 100 wines, which were either recommended to me by my peers or which I had read reviews about.
From the moment I started the tasting till the time I left to attend another tasting (Moet & Chandon at the all new Trump International Hotel & Tower, Las Vegas), almost 5 hours had passed. It gave me plenty of time to talk with the Spanish wine representatives and winemakers.

Now let’s talk about wine: I will not go in detailed analysis of the wines I tasted as it would take days for me to do so; however you are welcome to contact me should you wish to know about a particular wine. Instead, I am categorizing them into wine types, my personal favorites in NO PARTICULAR ORDER. All wines listed are wine I am considering to buy for my personal consumption and will recommend to my clients. There will also be a section called “Funky Aromas” which will feature a list of wines with very “different/unique” aromas.

The MSRP below was provided to me at the tasting by Great Match.

Cava (sparkling):
Mont Ferrant, Blanes Nature, 2003, Do Cava, MSRP $19.99

White Wines: (Albarino wines are to be drunk young or they will lose their appeal. 2-3 years at most.)

- Terra Firme, 2007, DO Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00
- Albarino Santiago Roma, 2006, DO Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00 (note: Unique style; handpicked, grapes are cryo freezed to delay fermentation process, malolactic fermentation cut at 70% via temp. control, ages 3 month on its lees and finishes the fermentation process once bottled. No Oak.)
- Paco y Lola, 2007, DO Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00 (note: Most refreshing, crisp and well rounded Albarino I ever had. Only 30% of the best harvested grapes are used to make this wine. Plenty of floral aromas, good acidity and no oak. Can’t wait to have this wine again with Asian Cuisine or just to sip on my patio.)

Rose Wine:

- Gran Feudo Rosado, 2007, Bodefas Julian Chivite, Navarra, Grenache, MSRP: $19.00

Red Wines:

- Montecastro y La Planeta 2002, DO Ribera del Duero, 100% Tinto Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP: $55.00
- Pasanau Finca La Planeta 2002, DOCa, Priorat, 80% Cab. Sauvignon, 20% Grenache, MSRP: $60.00
- Finca Antigua Crianza, 2004, DO La Mancha, Tempranillo Blend, MSRP: $15.00
- Mascun, 2005, Bodegas Osca, DO Somontano, 100% Syrah, MSRP: $25.00
- Matamangos, 2003, Agricolas Santa Rosa, DO Almansa, Blend of Garnache/Monastrell, MSRP: $29.00
- Fra Guerau, 2003, DO Montsant, Grenache/Syrah, MSRP: $15.00
- Rento, 2003, Grupo Matarromera, DO Ribera del Duero, Tinto Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP: $75.00
- Val de los Frailes, 2003, DO Cigales, Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP $70.00
- Campo Viejo Reserva, 2005, Juan Alcorta, DO Rioja, 75% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Mazuelo (Carignan) MSRP: $12.99
- Ysios, 2001, DO Rioja, Tempranillo, MSRP; $29.99
- Navarro Lopez Old Vines Crianza, 2002, DO Valdepenas, Tempranillo, MSRP: $12.99
- Rentas de Fincas, 2003, DO Rioja, Tempranillo, MSRP : $14.00
- Earth 2.0, 2003, DO Navarra, 50% temp. 50% Merlot, MSRP : $21.00

Dessert Wines:

- Seleccion Especial, Jorge Ordonez, 2005, DO Malaga, (Muscatel), MSRP: 20.00
- Don PX Gran Reserva 1979, Bodegas Toro Albala, DO Montilla-Moriles, Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: $60.00
- Sandeman, Character Medium Dry Amontillado, DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino Fino and a hint of Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: 19.00
- Lustau Peninsula Palo Cortado, Emilio Lustau, DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino Fino, MSRP: 21.00
- Sandeman, Royal Esmeralda Amontillado VOS Sherry, DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino, MSRP: 22.00
- Donecq Venerable, Vintage 30 years, DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: 45.00

Funky Aromas:

- Protos Verdejo 2007, DO Rueda (white), MSRP: $12.00 has not only floral aromas as expected but some funky arm pit like aromas too, making this wine my funky pick of the tastings.
- Don Olegario Albarino 2005 (white), DO Rias Baixas, MSRP: $22.00 has a chimney like taste/aromas all over it. Similar to what you find in a Haut Brion blanc, even though the wine characteristics are completely different. Worth the experience.

Looking to build up your wine collection or to start one? Most Spanish Red wines, especially Sherries age very well. I recommend that you slowly start stocking up on a few cases of Spanish wines before they become more popular, hence more expensive.

Cheers!  

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12. May 2008 by Sebastien Gavillet.

J&P Wholesale proudly presented E. Guigal portfolio tasting at Mesa Grill.

Philippe Guigal, the estate’s oenologist and Eve Ryckewaert, E. Guigal’s marketing manager personally presented E. Guigal’s current vintage and new releases.  For those who don’t know, E. Guigal is both a grower and negociant. The estate has vineyards in Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage and Saint Joseph.  All other AOC are not estate grown.  The turnout was incredible for this tasting. Almost everyone in the industry (locally speaking) was present or represented. Dana Hanusova, Mesa’s sommelier was my tasting partner for this event.

My top six picks of the tasting are:
Condrieu “La Doraine” 2006: This 100% Viognier is aged for 9 months in new oak barrels.
This white wine has a complex bouquet with aromas of acacia, linden, apricot, white peach, roasted almonds and a touch of vanilla.  Rich, full bodied, nicely rounded and well balanced.  One of my favorite whites of the tasting. Ready to drink.

Ermitage Ex-Voto 2001: This 95% Marsanne, 5% Roussanne, is aged 18 month in new oak barrels.  Personally it had the characteristics of a wine aged a lot longer in new oak to me.
For your information, I was told that this wine was only made in the greatest vintages.
This white wine has a complex bouquet and aromas of acacia, peach almost white peach, quince, honey, oak, toast, clove, vanilla and roasted almonds.  Very rich and fatty, with a long spicy finish. Should be ready to drink within the next 3-5 years.

St. Joseph “Vignes de L’Hospice” 2004: This 100% Syrah is aged for 30 months in new oak barrels.
This deep red wine, ruby colored with purple hues, has aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, a hint of prune or over-ripe cherry, wood spices, coffee, leather, oak, vanilla pod and toast. Big yet elegant tannins and well-rounded. Long smooth finish. Ready to drink.

Cote Rôtie “La Turque” 2004: This 93% Syrah, 7% Viognier is aged for 42 months in new oak barrels.
This deep red wine, ruby colored with dark hues, has aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry covered with dark chocolate, violet, coffee, spicy wood, maybe even truffle, oak, vanilla, toasted seeds… Full bodied, elegant, well rounded with an unctuous texture and a lingering finish.  Should drink beautifully in 3-5 years.

Côte Rôtie “Château d’Ampuis” 2004: This 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier is aged for 38 months in new oak.
This ruby red wine has a complex bouquet, with aromas of raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, prune, dried herbs, violet, and hints of vanilla, coffee, toast and smoke. Medium bodied, elegant and well structured with no overpowering tannins which gives it a nice and lengthy finish.  Ready to drink and will age well for the 10+ years to come.

Côte Rôtie “Château d’Ampuis” 2000: This 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier is aged for 38 months in new oak.
This garnet red wine has a complex yet delicate bouquet, with aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, maybe even raspberry, prune, musk or leather, dried herbs, violet, hints of vanilla and toast. Medium bodied, well structured with good tannins which gives it a smooth finish.  Ready to drink. 

That’s it for this tasting.

Cheers!

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