{"id":59,"date":"2009-10-27T14:51:39","date_gmt":"2009-10-27T14:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=59"},"modified":"2010-05-11T12:52:02","modified_gmt":"2010-05-11T12:52:02","slug":"ninety-point-spanish-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=59","title":{"rendered":"Ninety Point Spanish Wines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SpainEach year we\u00c2\u00a0are excited to try more and more wines from Spain<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This year we secured enough samples to write a blog post\u00c2\u00a0about our favorite Spanish wine discoveries.\u00c2\u00a0 All the wines below scored at or above 90 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 We encourage you to explore both the Red Wines and White Wines of Spain and discover how good they are.\u00c2\u00a0 You have been hearing about them for a while, and now is your chance to dig in and try some.\u00c2\u00a0 In many cases they are a great value in terms of quality to price ratio.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"MatarredondaMy favorite wine was the 2005 Matarredonda \u201cLibranza\u201d\u009d<\/strong><\/a> for $44<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This 100% Tempranillo <\/strong>from the Toro region scored 93 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It is full-bodied, very well balanced, and ultra smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering has a very elegant feel for a Toro<\/strong>based wine.\u00c2\u00a0 Toro wines are usually big and sometimes burly.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile of this gem is a delicious blueberry with notes of gentle old oak.\u00c2\u00a0 It closes rather dry and its fine tannins sail on and on for quite some time.\u00c2\u00a0 You are going to love this wine!<\/p>\n

\"NuestroThe next wine was our favorite from a flight of Ribera del Duero <\/strong>Tempranillos.\u00c2\u00a0 It was the Nuestro 2006 “Crianza”<\/strong><\/a> for $27<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine scored 92 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This Tempranillo is full-bodied, nicely balanced, and juicy.\u00c2\u00a0 Its flavor profile is a savory black raspberry with notes of mild old oak and black cherry.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine closes very dry and it’s substantially building tannins sail on and on.\u00c2\u00a0 If you are sucker for a big finish, you have to try this wine.\u00c2\u00a0 I loved it!<\/p>\n

\"CimsAlso\u00c2\u00a0scoring 92 points<\/strong> is the 2005 Cims de Porrera “Solanes”<\/strong><\/a> for $29<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This red blend from Priorat<\/strong>is made from 40% Carignane, 30% Grenache 15% Caberent Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, & 5% Syrah.\u00c2\u00a0 I love these kitchen sink blends when done well.\u00c2\u00a0 This one is firing on all cylinders.\u00c2\u00a0 It is full-bodied, very well balanced, and seamless.\u00c2\u00a0 I described the flavor profile as a luscious blend of delicate black currant and blackberry with a hint of old oak.\u00c2\u00a0 With its dry sticky tannins, I felt it would pair perfectly with shepherd's pie.\u00c2\u00a0 It is another must try wine.<\/p>\n

\"BallesterosOne of the best deals that we tried was the 2006 Ballesteros “Mibal”<\/strong><\/a> for $23<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This 100% Tempranillo<\/strong> was just terrific and is a lot of wine for the money.\u00c2\u00a0 It is very well balanced, elegant, and silky.\u00c2\u00a0 It displays a delicious blend of blueberry with notes of red raspberry and milk chocolate.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine would pair perfectly with a grilled NY strip steak at your favorite steak house.<\/p>\n

\"AlejandroAlejandro Fernandez<\/strong> has been making winners for a long time.\u00c2\u00a0 Each year we recommend many of his wines.\u00c2\u00a0 This year he had 2 entries that scored 90 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 The first was \"Alejandro\"Alejandrothe 2005 “El Vinculo”<\/a><\/strong> from La Mancha<\/strong> for $33<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This 100% Tempranillo offering is all about its very ripe fruit.\u00c2\u00a0 It is full-bodied, balanced, and smooth with extracted blackberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 There were notes of black currant as well.\u00c2\u00a0 On the finish its building tannins show up quickly and stick with you a while.\u00c2\u00a0 This is a big wine that is quite flamboyant and not for the faint of heart.\u00c2\u00a0 The second winner from Alejandro Fernandez is the 2006 “Tinto Pesquera”<\/a><\/strong> for $34.<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 This\u00c2\u00a0100% Tempranillo<\/strong> hails from Ribera del Duero<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It is consistently one of my favorites.\u00c2\u00a0 This years version is medium-bodied, balanced, and smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 It shows off some very tasty ripe red raspberry flavors with integrated smoke and old oak.\u00c2\u00a0 I noted in the review that this wine will appeal to both New World and Old World fans because it is a blend of both styles.\u00c2\u00a0 It would be a perfect match for beef bourguignon.<\/p>\n

\"MatarredondaAnother wine from the Toro<\/strong> region scored 90 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It was the 2005 Matarredonda “Juan Rojo”<\/a><\/strong> for $22<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This 100% Tempranillo <\/strong>is a great buy.\u00c2\u00a0 It opens with an attractive mild red raspberry and strawberry bouquet with hints of cedar and white chocolate.\u00c2\u00a0 Like our winner this wine is full-bodied, nicely balanced, and rather elegant for a wine from Toro.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile was a juicy plum and chewy blackberry with notes of cherry vanilla and a touch of oak.\u00c2\u00a0 It is a pretty complex wine for $22.\u00c2\u00a0 It finishes dry and it’s substantial building tannins show excellent length.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine is clamoring for a thick cut of prime rib.<\/p>\n

\"CasarOur final red comes from the Bierzo region.\u00c2\u00a0 It is made from 100% Mencia<\/strong> grapes.\u00c2\u00a0 It is the 2006 Casar de Burbia “Tebaida”<\/a><\/strong> for $51<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It opens with a very attractive cherry vanilla-like bouquet. On the palate, it is nicely balanced and smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 It shows off dusty black raspberry flavors with notes of black currant.\u00c2\u00a0 This is an upper tier Mencia.\u00c2\u00a0 You can certainly find Very Good Mencia wines at lower price points, but you will not find one this good.<\/p>\n

Spanish White Winners<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

When we explored some Spanish White<\/strong> offerings we came up with 3 wines<\/strong> that all were given 90 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 They are different from each other, but we are certain you will like them all.<\/p>\n

\"CampanteThe first offering is a real steal.\u00c2\u00a0 The 2008 Bodegas Campante “Vina Reboreda”<\/a><\/strong> for $12<\/strong> is a deal.\u00c2\u00a0 This white blend<\/strong>for Ribera del Duero was a hit at mini tasting I conducted this summer.\u00c2\u00a0 It is light-bodied and very nicely balanced.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Its flavor profile is comprised of nicely integrated minerals with notes of peach and apricot.\u00c2\u00a0 It's quite tasty.\u00c2\u00a0 The consensus was that it would be ideal with shellfish.\u00c2\u00a0 Another bonus is you should be able to find it as there were 30,000 case made.<\/p>\n

\"LegardoNext up is an Albarino<\/strong> from one of my favorite Spanish producers.\u00c2\u00a0 Adegas Morgadio<\/strong>makes some of the best Albarino's in my opinion.\u00c2\u00a0 Their 2008 “Legado del Conde Albarino”<\/a><\/strong> for $16<\/strong>is a real winner and a great deal.\u00c2\u00a0 I reviewed this wine in a blind flight of Albarinos and it was the clear winner.\u00c2\u00a0 It was medium-bodied, viscous, and very nicely balanced with really tasty green apple like flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 Our group thought it would be a perfect wine to pair with lemon drizzled grilled swordfish.<\/p>\n

\"CanOur final white comes from the Penedes <\/strong>region which is more known for its Cava and sparkling wines.\u00c2\u00a0 This $15<\/strong> offering from Can Feixas<\/strong> uses the same grapes to make this food-friendly dry wine.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The 2008 “Blanc Seleccio”<\/strong><\/a> will really appeal to those readers who like Old World styled white wines.\u00c2\u00a0 It is full-bodied, balanced, and slightly creamy.\u00c2\u00a0 There was even a touch effervescence noted as well.\u00c2\u00a0 Its a tasty mineral infused pear flavors were rather appealing. It is a versatile wine that would pair very well with bacon wrapped scallops or steamed mussels in a garlic broth. Yum!<\/p>\n

These are just the 90 point wines!<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 We covered many Very Good<\/strong> Spanish options that scored between 87 and 89 points<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Most of those wines are terrific values.\u00c2\u00a0 You can check out all our recommended Spanish wines<\/strong> on KensWineGuide.com<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 Here is the link to all our recommended Spanish Reds<\/a><\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 You can sort them by both price and score.\u00c2\u00a0 Here is the link to the recommended Spanish Whites<\/a><\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 I am sure you will enjoy your exploration of Spanish Wines.\u00c2\u00a0 We certainly love our exploration every year!<\/p>\n

Cheers,<\/p>\n

Ken<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each year we\u00c2\u00a0are excited to try more and more wines from Spain.\u00c2\u00a0 This year we secured enough samples to write a blog post\u00c2\u00a0about our favorite Spanish wine discoveries.\u00c2\u00a0 All the wines below scored at or above 90 points.\u00c2\u00a0 We encourage you to explore both the Red Wines and White Wines of Spain and discover how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[121,120,118,119,117,115,114,122,113,116],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-albarino","category-bierzo","category-la-mancha","category-mencia","category-priorat","category-ribera-del-duero","category-spain","category-spanish-wine","category-tempranillo","category-toro"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}