NV Alvear Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1927, Spain, Jerex, Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a dessert wine/sherry.  Made from the Pedro Ximénez grape.  Brown in color.  The nose smells like a tootsie-roll which is nice.  Chocolate, confectionery sugar.  This pours like motor oil; thick and viscous.  On the palate, the tootsie-roll quality continues thru.  Slightly sweet.  Good acidity.  No need for food, this is a dessert on its own.  It is a tough food match.  This wine is made from a Solera method with theoretically some portion of the wine dating to 1927.  It is unclear how much and this tastes young.  That said, for $25, this is a stellar dessert wine that is fun and d

2007 Finca Sandoval Manchuela, Spain, Manchuela

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

76% Syrah, 13% Monastrell, and 11% Bobal.  This is a blend coming from central Spain.  It is a more modern take despite being from an almost forgotten wine region.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some plums, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs.  On the palate, this is at peak.  No hurry but I would drink in the next five to ten years.  Layers of black raspberry fruit with earth and pepper.  A nice complexity.  Good balance.  Good on its own or with food.  This was a powerhouse in its youth but has matured nicely.  When you drink them really is more of an issue

NV Bodegas Tradición Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado 30 Years Old VORS, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Sherries are to a particular taste.  Very Old Rare Sherries may even be more so due to the cost.  Personally, I love them.  This bottle was consumed over three days.  It was at its best on day 3 (wine was corked and stored on the counter).  Gorgeous color of shimmering light brown/gold/orange.  Clear and bright in the glass.  On the nose, this is so complex.  Caramel, tootsie rolls, some alcohol, camphor/iodine, and minerals.  Complex.  On day 2 and 3, the alcohol is less noticeable.  It is oxidized but doesn't offend (me).  On the palate, it feels like there will be a bit from either the a

2012 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice; spice, plums and cherries with a bit of dill.  Nice texture.  Slight tannins.  Tart cherries on the palate.  Nice finish.  This retails for $33.  It is drinking well now and should be good for five to ten years.  

NV Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado Los Arcos Seco - Dry Solera Familiar, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a relatively inexpensive bottle of sherry (I paid $10 on sale).  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice; nuts, slight caramel, slight saline and of course "Sherried".  On the palate, this is dry.  Nutty with some caramel notes.  A bit of bitterness.  Some alcohol.  Deep and texture.  Contemplative.  Long finish.  Great value.  It really does perform much better with salty foods.  

2004 Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero Maria, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is made from Tempranillo.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  On the palate, the black cherries carry thru.  A slight dill note.  Still firm tannins.  Nice finish.  This is still young at 14 years from vintage and certainly seems to have some upside.  It is a big, forward wine but a bit still in the shell.  If drinking now, give it a nice decant.  

2001 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

In a great plae right now.  No hurry but showing mature development.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has some slight funk to it.  Not a lot, but some.  Cherries, dark cherries, cigar box and leather as well.  On the palate, lots of black cherry and cherry fruit.  Layers of earth and forest floor.  Good balance.  Wonderful mouthfeel.  Nice finish.  Worked well with food.  While this was a bit modern in style in its youth, it has aged just beautifully as it turns into an older Rioja.  

2013 Bodega Numanthia Toro Termes, Spain - Wine Reviews

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Always a solid value, this vintage is no exception.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, coffee and splight plums.  On the palate, this is delcious.  Plenty of dark cherry and plum fruit.  Some oak showing.  Great texture.  This is a pretty big round wine that will drink well on its own or with food.  A sure fire crowd pleaser.  

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