Boise Coop Wine Shop

A Spanish Quintet

• February 15, 2012

This week were shining the spotlight on five exceptional Spanish wines from the portfolio of Sun Valley’s Tastevin:

2010 La Cana Albarino, $16.99
This winery is a new project between the Gil family of Jumilla and top Spanish wine importer Jorge Ordoñez. The winemaker is Alistair Gardner from New Zealand, well regarded for his work in white wines both in Spain and in New Zealand. “Bodegas La Cana’s 2010 Albarino was fermented in stainless steel (80%) and larger barrels (20%) and aged sur lie. Mineral, lemon zest, baking spices, and floral notes inform the nose of this round, smooth-textured, savory white. With excellent volume and length, this outstanding value will provide pleasure for another 3-4 years.” Wine Advocate, 90 points.

2008 Bodegas Y Vinedos Ilurce Solnia, $10.99
A family owned and operated estate since 1940, Bodegas y Vinedos Ilurce today is run by the fourth generation of the Escudero family and is located in Alfaro, La Rioja. Solnia Rioja is produced with grapes from their family owned vineyards located at 1500 feet above sea level. Ilurce’s 2008 Solnia is a blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Graciano. This purple-colored offering displays a bouquet of spice box, violets, and black cherry leading to a racy wine with vibrant acidity and plenty of savory black fruit for balance. Drink this excellent value over the next 4-5 years.

2009 Borsao Monte Oton Garnacha, $8.99
Bodegas Borsao is one of the very top Garnacha (Grenache) specialists in what is arguably Spain’s best region for this juicy, red-fruited, grape: Campo de Borja. Unlike the Borsao’s entry-level Campo de Borja, the Monte Oton is 100% Grenache grown in single mountainside vineyard on the slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcano. Very cold winters and dry, hot, summers and rocky, poor, soils give the grapes a chance to struggle and develop both sweet ripeness and a minerally complexity. “Plump and velvety, this fruity red offers plum, blackberry and tangerine flavors, accented with vanilla and licorice. Not muscular, but generous. Drink now through 2012.” Wine Spectator .

2009 Juan Gil Jumilla Monastrell, $17.99
The origins of this winery date from 1916 when Juan Gil Giménez, great grandfather of the present generation, started getting involved in the world of wines, building a winery in the heart of Jumilla. His son, Jua Gil Guerrero, dedicated all his life to the wine business, but it was the third generation who really consolidated the winery. Jaun Gil Gonzalez together with his brother Pacao, the founder’s grandsons, forged an image of quality and efficiency. Surrounded by vineyards, the winery is now located in the center of the property on the slope of a mountain that is covered by a forest that shelters and protects the property for the typical heat of summer. In this intense red concentrated blackberry aromas create the first impression, leading on to a ripe, dark berry fruit character and a touch of grape skin tannin. A fine example of a pure Monastrell wine.

2006 Muga Reserva Rioja, $28.00
Bodegas Muga is located in the historical Barrio de La Estación (railway station district) in Haro. The facilities (270,000 square foot) are two centuries old, built mainly of stone and oak. In fact, oak is paramount in the winery. There are 14,000 barrels, made out of different types of oak ranging from French oak (Allier, Tronçais or Jupilles), American, Hungarian, Russian and even the small consignment of Spanish oak. “Muga’s red wines begin with the 2006 Muga Reserva, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, with the balance Mazuelo and Graciano. It was aged for 6 months in wooden vats before spending 2 years in 60% new French and American oak. Purple-colored with an already complex bouquet of pain grille, mineral, violets, black cherry, and blackberry, on the palate it is smooth-textured, layered, and concentrated. It conceals enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years and will offer optimal drinking from 2012 to 2026. It is an excellent value in serious Rioja.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 91 points.