Clear, medium-plus intensity, brick red. Nose like motor oil, dark fruit, dusty, smoky, meaty, dried fruit. Dry, medium tannin, plum, brandy, black fruit. Medium-light acid, chewy, spice, long finish. WHO: Bodegas Viños de Fábula WHAT: Tempranillo WHERE: Toro, Spain WHEN:-read more-
Incredibly purple, deep color, clear. Raspberry, cherry, red fruit, mushroom, earth, smoke, anise aromas. Dry, medium acid and tannin, flavors of black fruit, blackberry, plum, jam, bramble fruit, floral. WHO: Bodegas Viños de Fábula WHAT: Mencía WHERE: Bierzo, Spain WHEN:-read more-
Clear, bright, straw yellow. Herbal, eucalyptus, honey, apple, pear, floral aromas. Dry, medium acidity, pear, yellow apple, ripe fruit, light finish. WHO: Bodegas Laxas WHAT: Albariño WHERE: Rías Baíxas, Spain WHEN: 2007 HOW MUCH: $15
Clear, stained tears, deep brick to garnet red. Vegetal, black cherry, pepper, earth, olive, blackberry aromas. Dry, medium acid, medium-full body, medium tannin, fruity, plum, cherry, oak. WHO: Viñas del Vero WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir WHERE: Somontano, Spain-read more-
Clear, deep, brick red color. Vegetal, earth, dark fruit, cassis, spice, pepper, developed aromas. Dry, medium tannin, medium acidity, red fruit, smooth. WHO: Bodegas Viña Magaña WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo WHERE: Navarra, Spain WHEN: 2004 HOW MUCH: $20
Deep garnet red to a faded mahogany rim. Clean, full aromas of dried fruit, jams, licorice, blackberry, spice, oak, caramel, Port, cinnamon, cherry, and raspberry. Dry, medium-full body, medium acidity, medium-high tannin, flavors of coffee, cherry, spice, oak, raspberry, plum;-read more-
This is a soft, juicy, Rioja with berry and vanilla flavors wrapped gently in leather and a touch of tobacco. The finish falls off quickly, but this is a very reasonably priced Rioja Reserva, and at $12 a bottle why-read more-
Ignore the urgings to drink this wine with food. Yes, it is a wonderful compliment to food. But it is much more enjoyable as a contemplative talking point, a wine for consideration and discussion. Six different tasters will spring forward-read more-