A multifaceted grape gets not-so-tough love at a Roussillon competition. Outside our jury room, where we are sequestered in a restaurant on the outskirts of Perpignan, the February sun is fighting to overcome the chill of the night before. On another day, the room might be hosting a boisterous wedding
Cherries, red licorice, and freshly-turned earth come out on the nose. Candied cherry erupts on the palate with red licorice close behind. The mid-palate, too, has deep earthiness. The overall impression is red fruit candy. Drink with pot roast. Recommended. 86 points. DBH WHO: Las Rocas de San Alejandro WHAT:
Unusual winter rains turned the Cariñena vineyards in northeastern Spain into a technicolor swirl this spring, the variegated soils glowing red, yellow, orange under windswept skies. It was a moment of glory for a region which can get overlooked in the busy category of Spanish wine. After all, many consumers
Three very reasonably priced wines make for great pairings with cool weather Fall barbecues. Each of the wines offers slightly more depth and complexity than you might expect at this price range afer a few years of bottle age. 2013 Bodegas Aletta Garnacha, Campo de Borja DO Old vines grown
This is a very pleasant Spanish Garnacha, a table-ready pairing for almost any white meat. The nose offers pome fruit, mostly apple and pear, with hints of ginger. Softer fruits join the apple and pear on the palate, loquat perhaps, with some pineapple-acid zing. White florals come through on the
The wine comes from 80 year old vines in the Bancales vineyard. It's juicy, but complex and balanced, not simple. The color is a bright ruby. The nose has cherries, plums, and black licorice. Cherries, raspberries, and licorice lead, with juicy red plum and hints of umami presenting on the mid-palate.
Blackberries and brambles show in the nose, with a vanilla background from American oak. The palate is dark and deep, with earthy mulberry backed by black cherry. Mild black pepper and tobacco leaf show on the mid-palate, lingering over a mid-length finish with the mulberry. The depth and complexity of
Very bright red fruits, straightforward, not incredibly complex, but well-balanced. High acid and good minerality make a very food-friendly wine. Cherries and cranberries are the lead fruits with some raspberry showing on the mid-palate along with a very light herbal touch. This is a red wine for chicken, but stick