This Week's Tasting
Rich Iberian Reds
February 1, 2023
Peter writes, "This tasting features w some of our favorite Spanish reds, with one Portuguese kicker included. The first three wines are based on Tempranillo.""
 
![]() | Tonight - Rich Iberian Reds Wed 2/1 5:00 - 6:30pm   |
 
 
 
Peter writes,
This tasting features w some of our favorite Spanish reds, with one Portuguese kicker included. The first three wines are based on Tempranillo. We will begin with the 2019 Aster Ribera del Duero. Like all the wines in this tasting, Aster is organic. Ribera del Duero is in NW Spain with perfect soils and climate for making great Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo). This wine is delicious and vibrant. Next we will taste the 2018 Muga Rioja Reserva. Muga is still family-owned with a great history of creating some of the finest wines in Rioja. The Reserva shows balanced dark fruit with integrated acidity and smooth tannin. The 2012 Conde de Valdemar Rioja Gran Reserva sees more time in oak and bottle before release. These guys are also still family-owned. The winery dates back to 1889.
Next, we will taste the 2021 Celler Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops from the heart of the mountainous Priorat region. This is a blend of Garnatxa, Carinyena and Syrah. It is a rich wine with both an elegant and rustic style.
The 2016 Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Red is the Portuguese ringer in the tasting. In Bairrada, just south of Porto, Luis turned the local Baga grapes into really great wine. The wine is savory, spicy, and complex. Last we will show the 2018 Bodegas Breta Brega Calatayud. This is made with the original Garnacha in the world called Garnacha de Aragona. This is the heartfelt project of owner Jorge Ordonez. The wine is intense, balanced and concentrated.
 
Red
2019 Aster Ribera del Duero: Crimson with red rim. Balanced, vibrant with fresh acidity and fine gentle tannins around black fruit and spice. Excellent $28.99, case $24.99
2018 Muga Rioja Reserva: Deep dark berries and spice. Long and balanced with elegant integrated acidity and smooth tannin. Excellent $35, case $29.99
2012 Conde de Valdemar Rioja Gran Reserva: Dark fruit and fresh acidity with some notes of oak. Long and complex. Excellent $35, case $29.99
2020 Celler Cecillo Black Slate Gratallops: Black raspberry, violets, roses and spice. Elegant with rustic notes at the same time. Excellent 28.99, case $24.99
2016 Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Red: Dark cherry. Savory, spicy and complex. Floral and spice notes. A dense and structured wine of great interest. Excellent $37, case $31.99
2018 Bodegas Breca Brega Calatayud: Concentrated berry fruit. Notes of forest floor and flowers. Intense and concentrated with minerality and balanced acidity. Excellent $48, case $40.99
 
Special six pack: One bottle of each of the above for a special price of $195
Special mixed case: 2 bottles of each of the above for a special price of $365
Or make your case; Mix any twelve at their case prices
 
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
 
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
 
- Peter Hemenway
 
 
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