Last Week’s Tasting
The Spanish Grill

Peter writes,
Spanish wines seem to always please and surprise people, precisely the effect of last week’s wines on last week’s tasters. The 2008 Mozafresca led the whites right from the start, showing its striking balance of fruit and crispness as soon as its cork was pulled. Nearly everyone liked it and a couple of tasters raved about it. The 2007 Paco Y Lola Albarino that followed got off to a slower start, at first seeming lighter and tighter. It opened and evolved through the tasting, with rounder fruit. By the end the Albarino was a tasting favorite.
We began the reds with the 2008 Bodegas Jesus Nazerano Y Chas Mencia. As we expected, the wine showed a Mencia’s characteristic and dramatic leathery nose. This did not, however, pass over to its mouth showing appealing fresh fruit and spice flavors. Most tasters really liked the broad fruit and spice. All except one. whose refined sense of smell was so offended that he was sure the wine was off. That opinion was not shared by any of his co-tasters (we asked).
The 2007 Casa Castillo Monastrell immediately showed a broader appeal with its rich fruit and texture. The wine did show an earthy hint but only very slightly. This was a pocketbook favorite.
Tasters were immediately impressed with the spicy sweet oak aromas of the 2004 Vina Rufina Crianza. Its depth of flavors and the long finish sealed the deal. This was the wine most people asked to taste again. It became the clear favorite, somewhat overshadowing the younger, less evolved 2007 Altovinum Evodia. The richness of its Grenache fruit and complexity of finish were somewhat hidden by a still obvious structure. Still, the comments were very favorable, especially among those who prefer a somewhat earthier red.
All in all, this well attended, well enjoyed tasting was quite a good prelude to summer.

White

2008 Mozafresca: Pale straw with green reflections. Apple and pear aromas with a light tropical fruit and lime note. Rich fruit and mineral tone with balancing acidity. Very Good 10.99/bottle 9.89/mixed case 9.34/case

2007 Paco Y Lola Albarino: Pale straw, green highlight. Aromas of apricot and peach with a floral hint. Elegant, crisp and dry fruit flavors and a clean finish. Very Good Plus 18.99/bottle 17.09/mixed case 16.14/case

Red

2008 Bodega Jesus Nazerano Y Chas Mencia: Deep ruby, purple rim. Rich plummy fruit and spice aromas, a hint of violet. Concentrated plum and black raspberry fruit balanced with bright acidity. Very Good Plus 12.99/bottle 11.69/mixed case 11.04/case

2007 Casa Castillo Monastrell: Dark ruby red. spicy black cherry and blueberry aromas. Red and dark berry flavors, some earthiness with a layered, textured finish. Very Good Plus 11.99/bottle 10.79/mixed case 10.19/case

2004 Vina Rufina Crianza: Bright, deep ruby. Black fruit and spice aromas, cinnamon and white pepper. Medium to full bodied palate, layered with wild fruits, spice and smooth finish. Very Good Plus 15.99/bottle 14.39/mixed case 13.59/case

2007 Altovinum Evodia: Deep ruby red. Substantial bright deep fruit aromas with a hint of white pepper. Rich fruit, raspberry and blackberry with a complex finish. Very Good Plus 12.99/bottle 11.69/mixed case 11.04/case

6/10 Spanish Grill Case: Two bottles of each of the above wines for a special price of: $143