Las añadas de españa- tasting of wines from the current range.
rikiwigley
0
comentarios
Las Añadas de España- Tasting of Wines from the Current Range.
May ended on a high note with a public tasting of wines from the current range offered by Las Añadas. Situated near Xativa metro station in the centre of Valencia Las Añadas has a range of top quality wines and spirits from across the world, and a good representative range of wine from across Spain, including a good selection from Castellon, Valencia and Utiel-Requena denominations. They also offer a selection of gourmet foods and some of these, which together with a selected glass of wine and a coffee, have been the subject of a number of informal almuerzos priced at around 5€ and held every other Tuesday morning between 10.30am and 12.00pm.
The tasting held on the evening of 31 May was held in the Espacio Añadas, behind the wine racks and consisted of 14 wines which are on offer until 2 June.
First wine was the white, Blanc de Enguera from Bodegas Enguera ( DO Valencia, Clariano). This 2009 wine is a blend of 70% Verdil, the regional grape, with 10% each of Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It is 13%ABV and grown in the Casa Corones vineyards in Alforins. The Vall D´Albaida where it is situated takes its name from the white limestone of the area. The grapes are initially stored at -5 degrees for 15 days and the wine is then partially fermented in oak barrels. This gives a wine pale straw in colour, clear and bright and with green flashes. on the nose white flowers, apples and pears and in the mouth fresh well balanced with a long full finish. Enguera produce biological wines.
Second wine was a from D.O. Alicante, the Salinas Mo Blanco 2009 from Sierra Salinas. A new project which commenced in 2000 when the Castaño family purchased some vineyards and built a new winery between Alicante and Murcia initially there was a red from Monastrell but now the portfolio is growing. This white is from Moscatel and Chardonnay and is yellow with golden flashes, clean and bright. On the nose there is ripe fruit, pineapple and a hint of banana. In the mouth it is fresh with nice acid. It is well balanced and with a long full finish makes an easy drinker.
Third wine was a rosado from Castillo and Leon. Offered by Belondrade and Lurton, the Quinta Clarisa Rosado 2009 is 100% Tempranillo and 12%ABV. On what turned out to be almost the hottest May evening and night for nearly fifty years this was a refreshing option. Spain turns to Rosados as the temperatures rise and generally they do not disappoint. This was a vivacious medium rose colour with long legs, clear and bright. This has spent a little time in oak and it shows. On the nose floral, with herbs, mint but full and creamy. On the palate minerals, steely then red fruits, pomegranate and a long dry finish.
Some of those attending the tasting.
Next up was the first of the reds, Mas de Leda 2007 from Castilla y Leon. The bodega was founded in 1998 and this is the second wine from grapes which do not reach the quality required for the top wine. Nonetheless the wine is from 60 year old vines and receives the same meticulous treatment. 14%ABV, 100% Tempranillo, it spends 13 months in crianza in French and American oak. Intensely plum red it has long legs. On the nose powerful mature fruit, blackberry jam. On the palate it has a full body, smooth tannins and is powerful with a satisfying long full finish.
Fifth wine was the Actum Crianza 2006 from Bodegas y Viñedos de Utiel, Finca del Renegado, DO Utiel-Requena. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot this 13%ABV wine has enjoyed a 12 month crianza in French oak. Intense red with very long legs, the wine has a Bordeaux nose feel with a mediterranean edge. The fruit is intense, mature black fruits and hints of wood and vanilla. On the palate it is full of black fruits, blackberry and is powerful, with a long spicy finish. Very nice and my winner on the night for quality and value for money (10.70€).
The next wine was Dis-tinto, the second wine of the evening from Bodegas Enguera and one of the rewards for completing the Catando la Ciudad promotion which runs until June 14. Visit five local wine bars, have a glass of wine in each and collect a stamp on your card and Las Añadas will give you two bottles of this wine. Visit ten and you receive six bottles of the Megala from the same bodega. Syrah and Tempranillo in equal quantity, this is a silver medal winner in the Brussels 2008 concours and scores 88 points on the Parker scale. Medium cherry in colour with long legs, on the nose minerally, spicy and peppery with a touch of boiled fruits. In the mouth brambly jam with a long full finish and hints of oak. This is a wine with only light filtration and concentrated flavour.
Another DO Valencia wine followed, this Maduresa 2005 from a magnum. This wine is from Celler del Roure, the project of Pablo Calatayud based in Moixent in the Vall D´Albaida, who also produces Alcusses. 30% each of Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot, topped up with 20% tempranillo, 10% Mando a local grape and 10% syrah go into the blend. The wine spends 12 months in crianza, 10% American and 90% French oak. This wine at 14.5% ABV is garnet with a violet edge, long legs and on the nose is spicy and fruity, powerful with mature fruit and jam. On the palate the potential is evident in a concentrated, full, meaty wine with a long concentrated finish.
Next we turned to the three Riojas on show.
First was Marques de Vargas Reserva 2005. From a bodega that was created in 1989, the wine is made from 40 year old vines. The wine has spent nearly two years in Russian oak. It is 14%ABV 75% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha and 10% other varieties for seasoning. Ruby red with terracotta edge, good long slow legs. On the nose very mature blackberry fruit, well structured, with vanilla and oak and a long lean finish. To lay down.
Second was Predicador 2008 DO Rioja. Deep cherry red with a touch of purple at the edge, on the nose red fruits, balsamic notes, cream, and then a weird touch of oxo or marmite. In the mouth fruity and well balanced but lacking something given it´s price ( 17.90€ a bottle).
Third Rioja was Propiedad Herencia Remondo 2007. DO La Rioja. 14%ABV and also more than 17€ the bottle. This wine comes from Bodegas Palacios Remondo, based in Alfaro. 40% Garnacha 35% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 15% Marzuelo, fermentation took place in tiñas (or cubed oak deposits) and crianza of 14 months in French oak. Ruby red this wine reeks of its upbringing. On the nose cigarette box ( cedar) strawberry jam, chocolate, tobacco and cherries! On the palate full, powerful, meaty , very nice and different!
Of the three Riojas the first scored more highly for value to price ratio and the last highest for overall quality.
The tasting table and some of the wines.
From Rioja we moved to DO Ribero del Duero and specifically the Carmelo Rodero Crianza 2006. Carmelo Rodero is a fourth generation winemaker from Burgos whose wines once went into Vega Sicilia. However Carmelo now succesfully makes his own wines, together with his wife and two daughters. The wine is made in tradional style and with a minimum of twelve months crianza with racking every three months. 14% ABV the wine is 95% Tempranillo and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from 30 year old vines. Cherry red in colour with long legs, the nose is complex with lots of mature raspberry and blackcurrant and cream. In the mouth full, fruity with smooth tannins, and lots of power and potential for ageing. A very nice wine and one to watch.
And finally we moved to three sparkling wines. First was the Chozas Corrascal DO Cava from Utiel Requena, a property whose wines I like and have written about before. First tasted at the Valencia wine and food fair the wine is 50% each of Macabeo and Chardonnay, 12.5%ABV. In colour gold, clean and bright and this time the bubbles persisted. Yeast, toast and cream on the nose and on the palate freshness, acidity, light fruit and a long finish. Still very nice and reasonable value at just under 10€.
Second was a DO Cava Torello Gran Reserva from Macabeo, Xarel.Lo and Parellada. Very much a catalan cava this with its white flowers and fruit and its golden yellow colour. Three years on the lees gives this a fuller flavour but I was disappointed as to me it fell flat very quickly, a very short finish for a 15€ bottle.
Last but not least was the classy Laurent Perrier LP Brut Champagne. Now I know this is 35€ a bottle and not for every day drinking but its blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the three years minimum it spends in the bottle , its golden colour with small and ever rising bubbles, delicate fresh nose with just a hint of wet wool from the chardonnay and its deep complex flavours in the mouth do make this a special wine and worthy to finish the evening on.
I hope this is a development Las Añadas will continue along with their other initiatives.
Las Añadas regulars enjoy the tasting.