Boise Coop Wine Shop

An Eclectic Trio

• July 9, 2008

2006 Bodegas Viña Nora Albariño, $14.99

Not that long ago the phrase “good Spanish white wine” would have been something of an oxymoron. Today modern wine-making techniques have resulted in a cascade of refreshingly crisp Spanish whites, but Albariño from the Rías Baixas region along the Galacian coast of Northwest Spain has always been a standout. This thick skinned grape does well in the damp climate along the Atlantic, producing a notably aromatic wine, rich in flavor but with balancing acidity. This charmer from Nora scored a well earned 90 point rating from Stephen Tanzer. It offers beautifully floral aromas of apple, peach, lime and fig all backed by splashes of clover, herb, mint and mineral. The creamy citrus fruit flavors are bright and lively turning crisp and refreshing on the lengthy finish. It would work well with a variety of foods, everything from paella to poultry.

2007 Chateau Guiot, $9.99

If it’s summer, you know we will be pouring at least one rosé, one of our favorite warm weather wines. This time it as an impressive offering from importer Robert Kacher. François and Sylvia Cornut are in charge at Chateau Guiot as proprietors. Located in the Costières de Nîmes appellation, François and Sylvia grow both beautiful grapes, and incredible fruit (apricots & cherries), in the area where the Provence, Rhône and Languedoc regions all meet around the mouth of the Rhône River. All work is done by hand with great care and skill, and their wines reflect the authentic Provençal setting. This dry rosé is bursting with flavor and fruit, it is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, with a small dollop of Cinsault. This wine has lovely color, deeper than most Rosé.

2007 Guelbenzu Red, $11.99

The Guelbenzu family has been crafting wine at their El Jardin facility in Navarra since 1851. Recently they opened a second winery to the south in Aragon. The vineyards were planted in 1998 with their state-of-the-art La Lombana cellars opening in 2001. Two years latter both wineries came together under a newly designated region, the Ribera del Queiles which includes vineyards in both Navara and Aragon. This red comes from La Lombana and is a destinctive blend of Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo and Graciano. The Wine Advocate rated it an impressive 90 points. The Guelbenzu website states the wine sees nothing but stainless steel, but the bottles back label indicates it spent six months in French oak. We’ll leave it to you decide which is right.