Boise Coop Wine Shop

Spanish Quintet

• August 17, 2011

This week we are featuring five wines from De Maison Selections. Founded by André Tamers in 1996, De Maison is an importing company that specializes in unique, high-quality, boutique wines from Spain and France.
Avinyo Cava Brut Reserva, $15.99
The Avinyó brand is produced by the Esteve Nadal family of Avinyonet del Penedès. The winery is located at their home “Can Fontanals” in the heart of the Penedès region of Barcelona. On the label of each bottle of Cava there is an inscription in Catalan representing the philosophy of the family. The inscription roughly translates into the following: “From the must of the flower (the free run juice) and with the rigor of a work well crafted.” The patriarch, Joan Esteve, planted vines of Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo 50 years ago so that he could have sparkling wine for himself and his friends. Today, his two sons and daughter carry on the tradition of Avinyó. This lovely sparkling wine offers bright white fruits combined with toast notes. On the palate the wine is fresh and vibrant.

2010 Ameztoi Txakoli, $14.99
Founded in 1989, Getariako Txakolina region is comprised of 443 acres in the municipalities of Getaria, Zarauz and Aia. The majority of the grapes planted there are Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza. The vineyard sites are greatly influenced by their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil is chalky with rich, organic material. Ameztoi Txakolina is one of the top producers of Getariako Txakolina. The winery owns 50 acres of vines in the best location. From the vineyards one can see the town of Donostia-San Sebastian and understand the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on this vineyard site. Ignacio Ameztoi is the seventh generation to carry on the tradition of making Txakolina in the province of Getaria. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic that gives the wine its natural spritz.

2009 Do Ferreiro Albarino, $22.00
Founded in 1973, Do Ferreiro is currently run by Gerardo Mendez. Gerardo owns 12.5 acres, 7.5 of which are over 50 years old, with 2.5 over 200 years old. The vineyards follow organic guidelines avoiding the use of pesticides and non-organic fertilizers. In addition, Gerardo is a fanatic of indigenous yeasts believing that through their usage the true qualities of his terruño appear. Gerardo farms 8 separate plots of Albariño all located in the sub zone of Salnes. This valley’s proximity to the ocean and protection by mountain ranges has gained it the reputation for being one of the best in the Rias Baixas. Each of the plots are separately fermented and aged on the lees for approximately six months. The blend of these plots is what makes up the Do Ferreiro Albariño. This 2009 offers complex aromas of salinity and exotic fruits with wet earth/herbal undertones. The palate is nicely textured with excellent acidity.

2008 Luberri Seis $15.99
Owned by Florentino Martinez Monje, Luberri is located in Elciego in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Florentino farms 35 hectars of old vines located principally between the villages of Elciego and La Guardia. A farmer at heart, Florentino was the original winemaker at Artadi before establishing his own winery in 1992. Florentino is hands-on at the winery, working on all aspects of production, but his true love is working in the vineyards. All the plots are farmed with minimal treatment of the soils and vines. Vineyard sites are separately fermented and vinified. By keeping yields low Florentino extracts grapes with great concentration and flavor. The Seis is 100 percent Tempranillo that is fermented in stainless steel, then spends six months in a mix of French and American oak. It is filled with bright cherry fruit surrounded by spices. Rich mouthfeel full of sweet round fruit and complementary spicy wood tones.

2008 Mencos Crianza $18.99
Conde De Hervias is a project by Iñigo Manso de Zuñiga Ugartechea. Iñigo owns prestigious plots of old vines in Rioja Alta surrounding his home in Torremontalvo. In 2010 Iñigo released a second label to compliment his flagship Conde de Hervías wine: Mencos. The philosophy behind this second label is to produce classic yet modern (not oxidized) style Riojas. Mencos comes from a beautiful parcel of vines aging an average 35 years on the south side of the Ebro River in Torremontalvo. This vineyard, with chalky clay over gravel, is well suited to the Tempranillo grape. The Crianza spends 12 months in neutral, old American oak barrels. There is a definite elegance to the wine, where spicy wood tones mingle with ripe elegant violet fruit. It’s a wine with good length in a classic yet modern framework.