May WInes 2016

May wines

Just a quick review of my May wines

Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla Premium Mencia 2008

·         Critical Acclaim

o    RP91

The Wine Advocate - "The 2008 Lagar de Robla Premium Mencia spent 18 months in American oak. It is the most complex of these Mencia offerings displaying density, opulence, and length. This pleasure-bent effort can be enjoyed now but will drink well for a decade. "

I may have mentioned this wine before, but it is even better at close-out pricing.  Mencia from Bierzo - still fun to say and good to drink. Once a left over grape that has become a Spanish darling in the hands of skilled winemakers and growers. Dense, plenty of pitted fruit flavor, not too heavy, no tannins, but good round mouth-feel and a nice finish. Under $10, should buy a case.

Bodegas Castano Hecula 2012

·         Winemaker's Notes

Intense and shiny cherry red color, clean. Outstanding fruity expression of plum, fig, berries with intense balsamic aromas and perfectly integrated wooden notes. Soft and silky on the palate, embodying, with elegant ripe tannins and a wide pleasant aftertaste.

Critical Acclaim

o    RP91

The Wine Advocate - "The basic offering from proprietor Ramon Castano Santa, who owns a whopping 1,000 acres in Yecla, is the 2012 Hecula, which is sourced from a non-irrigated, single vineyard planted with 100% Monastrell. Aged in both tank and French oak, it comes from 60-80-year-old vines planted in limestone soils at a relatively high elevation of over 1,600 feet. Its opaque purple color is followed by copious aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, camphor, licorice, white flowers and a chalky limestone/dusty character. Full-bodied, rich and well-balanced, it is an incredible value. "

Monastrell, also known as Mouvredre, is a dark, inky wine that carries a lot of black fruit and herbs and spices in it. A bottle that is around $10 - $12 retail, this is a great value wine. Serve it with beef, or it could overpower your meal. Real nice value bottle (Spain, again).

2012 Li Veli Passamate, Salice Salentino Negroamoro

Color The wine has a dense ruby color with a purple tint.

TasteThe taste of wine is balanced, comprehensive, powerful, soft, fresh and fragrant, with bright acidity and velvety tannins, notes of black fruit and very long finish.

Aroma Intense aroma of wine is filled with tones of ripe and juicy red berries, especially cherries and plums, spicy notes of nutmeg and cinnamon, hints of sage.

Gastronomy The wine goes well with grilled meats, pizza, pasta, vegetable soups and cheese.

I know, Italian wine from me? This was a nice example of Salice Salentino - I used to drink a lot more of it when it was a bargain. This was a new producer to me, but was a very good food wine at the price ($12). Flavors meld well and it can go with a wide variety of foods - not too overpowering with nice balanced fruit and spices echoing in a decent finish.

2009 Bodegas Sierra Salinas "Puerto Salinas" Alicante

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

There are 5,000 cases of this remarkable value, another stunning example of the astonishing palate of Eric Solomon and his ability to ferret out exceptional wines at such ridiculously low prices that most consumers will never guess how good they are based on the price alone. Composed of 66% Monastrell, 19% Garnacha and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for one year in both new and 2-year-old French oak, it displays an inky/purple color along with notes of road tar, melted asphalt, blackberry liqueur, camphor, graphite and forest floor. The wine is complex, full-bodied, rich and intense with terrific purity and wonderful overall balance. It is one more example of a wine that completely over-delivers. (RP)  (6/2012)

91 points Wine & Spirits

 Lush and exuberantly ripe, this wine develops in the glass, gaining notes of spice and fresher fruit. It’s a tight web of tannins, completely filling the mouth with their energy and power. A wine to cellar for five years or more.  (10/2012)

Another Spanish wine - this was in my $100 case from Jacob's Liquor. Great blend, a wine that should cost a lot more.  My first taste was a little disappointing. As it stayed open and the bottle took in air (and my glass), the flavors really developed. Nicely balanced, good food wine - not too overpowering, but still meaty. Black fruit and spices, a surprising blend that really is as good as the critics said. If you see it, buy it!

2012 Cambridge & Sunset Pinot Noir, California

Ripe red raspberry and cherry aromas carry through to the palate, balanced by a crisp yet silky finish. 

VINTAGE: 

California’s 2012 vintage has been described by winemakers across the state as ideal, having produced generous amounts of high quality fruits. The threat of frost passed early on, allowing vines to bud earlier than usual. A mild, even summer season and dry, cool fall allowed growers to keep their grapes on the vine longer to ripen sugars, while still keeping an above average acidity. These outstanding growing conditions resulted in many wines embodying their terroir, reminiscent of the best Bordeaux years, with the flavor concentration and fruit characteristics that exemplify California.

Another of the $100 case - this was what you expect for a cheap Pinot Noir. Decent cherry, red fruit but not a full mouth-feel. Finish was short, not what I call silky. Keep the meal light - chicken, pizza or pasta. Not highly recommended...

Hope you enjoy and remember, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.