Spain

• Alicante
• Andalusia
• Campo de Borja
• Castilla y Leon
  • Bierzo
• Catalonia
• Jerez
• Jumilla
• Madrid
• La Mancha
• Manchuela
• Méntrida
• Montsant
• Navarra
• Pais Vasco (Basque)
• Priorat
• Rias Baixas
• Ribera Del Duero
• Ribera del Guadiana
• Rioja
• Rueda
• Terra Alta
• Toro
• Valdeorras
• Valdepeñas
• Valencia
• Yecla

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

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

Purple in color.  The nose is tight but with air shows some black cherries.  On the palate, this has sweet fruit/dark cherries.  It is modern in style and a fruit forward Tempranillo.  It retails for around $22.  Plan on drinking it in the next five years or so.  It is a very tasty wine.  Good value as well.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

Light golden in color.  Nice mousse of medium sized bubbles.  The nose is all about red apples (fuji?).  On the palate, this is frothy and slightly sweet.  Not a serious wine but tasty and fun.  It has a place in this world.  

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.  

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.  

This is a big wine for sure.  I suspect it will be a love it or hate it kind of wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has dusty dark cherries, plums and chocolate and spice.  On the palate this is jammy with a lot of fruit.  Dark cherries and black raspberries.  Some spice showing.  It is really all about sweet fruit right now.  Delicious and enjoyable.  Not the best food pairing but great on its own.  Having had past vintages, I think it will settle down but if you don't like it young, you won't like it older.  If you do, its got a decade left.