November wines...
November wines...
Ver mensaje de joseMontly report, you know...
- Tombú 2006. Dominio DosTares. VdT Castilla y León (7.5 EUR)
It looks clear and shiny. I find a disappointing smell: Banana. I don’t like this smell in wine. Nevertheless it’s not absolutely disappointing. Behind this smells appear winter strawberries and citrics (orange, grapefruit).Quite vivid sip, a bubbly touch, like a light sparkling, but with no bubbles at all. Nice acidity. It’s a good rosé, nonetheless slightly overpriced.
- Val de Sil 2006. Bodegas Val de Sil. DO Valdeorras (aprox 14 EUR)
Next step after Montenovo. Light, touch of fruit and white flowers. A hint of weight and soft bitterness that gives a final touch of vividness. Nothing to keep in mind as a pairing for fish-balls. Maybe I don’t understand the Godello, but at this moment I think it’s no good QPR.
- Rívola 2004. Abadía Retuerta. VdT de Castilla y León. (8.5 EUR)
It’s not from Ribera del Duero, but it’s very near. I think that it’s the first red wine from this zone that I’d buy a second bottle. Awesome! Red and blackberries, pastry, a touch of white coffee and a lost hint of green notes. Nevertheless I didn’t enjoy so much the next day. I found a stronger wood character. Cinnamon, roasted coffe and burnt caramel. You must pay attention to the temperature. As it goes higher the alcohol kicks you as a hammer.
Summing, it was so-so. It’s not badly paired with some cheese nibblets and roasted lamb. The QPR (about 8.5 EUR)? I think it’s
on quarantine for me, maybe I’ve to drink a second bottle in some months to get a proper opinion about this wine.
- Pezas da Portela 2004. Bodega Valdesil. DO Valdeorras (20 EUR aprox)
I reach the elder brother and I enjoy the wine finally. Here we find fruit, a touch of eucalyptus, nice acidity and a hint of good bitterness. It’s barrel fermented, nonetheless I find no trace of it and I like this way. The bad news? I don’t think it’s a good QPR. It’s about 20 EUR and for this price I demand more happiness.
It’s been nicely paired with a guilthead fish with warm peach vinaigrette and with roasted cod over ratatouille and mahonesa roasted topping
- Artazuri 2006. Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu. DO Navarra. (3.45 EUR)
Garnacha from head to toe. Fruit, nice acidity, good balance and good pairing of many different dishes. Allegro ma non troppo. To drink time and again. Of course it’s a good QPR for about 3.5 EUR.
- Pétalos 2006. Descendientes de J.Palacios. DO Bierzo (10.85 EUR)
Really dark hue. Dark fruit, herbaceous, that feeling of chocolate powder that covers some sweets, chemistry hints. Not too long. As it warms the alcohol kicks your ass to remind you that here’s 14º. This wine is ok, not more. I guess that I’ll taste next vintages, but I won’t run to shop it. It’s ok for friday nibblets, sautée mushrooms... QPR? so-so for about 10.85 EUR.
Regards,
Jose
Re: November wines...
Ver mensaje de joseJose, (should that be José ?)
you really pushed the boat out in November ! ;-)
The Tares sounds disappointing, banana definately a fault i’d say.
I quite like the Rivola but have not tried this vintage. In the past I have found a degree of bottle variation in this estates wines. However the Cuveé Palomar 2001 is a wine I have greatly enjoyed. They also do a very fresh and fruity Arnoldo (?)
thanks for posting
Re: November wines...
Ver mensaje de joseI like your monthly wine posts ... this time was it larger than usual? ... and likely (and hopefully!) the December one will be larger ;)) ... I should also do my homework and keep track of my wines and impressions ... I feel such a lazy butt!
MaJesus
I had to look for...
Ver mensaje de RayQThe meaning of the sentence ’pushing the boat out’ in my Oxford Dictionary (Advanced learners! ;). I didn’t realized ’til you pointed it, but these wines were more expensive than I used to drink. It wasn’t intended really. At least the average is about 10.7 EUR... 0.7 EUR cents over a rental-paying-budget!
My name, well, as you rightly say it’s José, nevertheless and as you know many times the spanish people don’t pronounce the names as they should and my name use to be pronounced as Jose... even by me! :)))
Regarding the wines, I’m not pretty sure whether the banana smell on Tombú was a fault or not. Usually I fully dislike wines with this aroma, but it’s just a soft touch and I don’t know if this grape gives this smell as a common descriptor.
Now Rivola. As many times I’ve said I don’t use to like wines from Ribera del Duero, maybe I don’t have ever tasted the right ones but from my point of view they’ve tons of everything that goes to nowhere but oak. Nonetheless this wine was not bad at all. I’ll try to taste again in some months or maybe some other vintage to get a proper vision of this wine. In addition to this I’ve found a shop in Madrid where sell Valduero Crianza, it’s a suggestion of M.Camblor who knows that I don’t like these wines but he guess that I’d like this one.
I’ve checked the Abadía Retuerta and I don’t find any ’Arnoldo’ :-? Their wines are Primicia, Rívola, Selección Especial, Cuvée Palomar, Pago Negralada, Pago Garduña and Petit Verdot. Maybe a special cuvée for UK market?
Regards,
Jose
Nooo.. I don’t think so...
Ver mensaje de MaJesusAbout a bottle per 5 days on average. I don’t know how will be this month. Neither my family nor my beloved ones use to drink wine so you can do the math ;)
And nothing of lazyness, share your wine opinions with us, the quite people in this busy world! ;)
Regards,
Jose
Re: Nooo.. I don’t think so...
Ver mensaje de joseI like too the month wines post. I was missing them from the other forums. I found we drink similar wines. It was a pitty you didn’t come to Eugenio’s tasting, we enjoyed a lot. Let’s see if we meet elsewhere in the future.
Re: I had to look for...
Ver mensaje de joseSorry to use such an expression but your English seems very good, anyway you have now found a new phrase.
I think I’m probably referring to Primicía but perhaps this was Arnoldo in the past ? Or more likely I’m just confused !
so €15 wines in December ;-)
No sorries & no worries...
Ver mensaje de RayQI’m very (very) glad to learn new phrases like this one :)
Regarding Arnoldo I’ve found a link in Google (where else?) and appears as intermediate cuvée between Primicia and Rívola. Nonetheless no trace about it the winery website :-????
http://www.sortorama.es/abadia-retuerta-com-110807.html
Searching in Wine Search I’ve found it in Vila Viniteca for about 5 EUR aprox.
I understand nothing at all... maybe it’s a special cuvée? or maybe it was made in preceding vintages but now it’s out of their portfolio?
Regards,
Jose