This 100% Tinto del Pais hails from a century-old vineyard 2900 feet above sea level. With 18 months in French oak and 24 months in bottle before release, it is bold and well-structured. Rocky soils are evident on the palate, with dusty tannins pacing like a tiger in a cage until it softens to a purr of boysenberry and dark chocolate.
Crushed stone and a lemon twist is sleek and clean to exhibit the attributes of the Albillo Mayor variety, here from 60- and 100-year-old vines. Aged in French oak for nine months, its leesy character highlights fresh pineapple that settles on the palate with a touch of white tea flowers.
Bright, offering vital acidity and prickly salinity. Notes of pineapple and yellow apple are appealing on the finish. Terrific value!
Vibrant plum and mocha are charming. Spiced cedar and coffee notes are expressive.
Meaty, with boysenberry and bristly herbs. Juicy and delicious.
The brand name translates as “very very not bad,” which is a charmingly quirky understatement for a wine of equally quirky charm. The unoaked blend of 50/50 Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon isn’t shy, as musky notes of boxwood mingle with greener ones of apple and pear as well as flickers of tropical fruit like mango and pineapple. But neither is it overblown, striking a balance between crispness and midpalate weight, a suggestion of almond and a lemony finish. What fun.
This is an interesting Bordeaux-style blend that shows impressive overall complexity and balance. With 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 19% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec, it displays structural firmness and significant oak buffered by a soft mid-palate and lingering fruit sweetness.
Full-bore Chardonnays need to be this good when consumer tastes are edging toward leaner renditions of the variety. Notable wood spice and a whiff of vanilla aren’t overblown but do lend complexity to mostly orchard fruit flavors, with substance and depth but no unbalanced heaviness.