2008 Cooperativo Bodegas San Gregorio Calatayud Armantes Selección Especial (Spain, Aragón, Calatayud) 30/04/2012

Representing that new wave from Calatayud, a nice nose yet fair palate bottle.
Typical Grenache colour.
Old vines always give a great aroma, black olives, blue berries, leather, ...
Palate is imcomplete, made in a rush, rustic, tannic,...
My taste is seeking something different, someting more elegant.

Representando a la nueva ola que llega desde Calatayud, una botella con una rica nariz aunque una boca regular.
Color típico a garnacha.
Las viñas viejas siempre dan un gran aroma, aceitunas negras, arándanos, cuero,...
En boca es incompleta, hecho deprisa, rústica, tánico,...
My gusto está buscando algo diferente, algo más elegante.

2009 Villa Raiano Fiano di Avellino (Italy, Campania, Fiano di Avellino) 29/04/2012

One year after previous bottle.
This last one of the serie had an ultra-pale yellow colour.
Timid Champagne-like nose, adding banana peel.
On the palate, almost dead. Its time was on 2011 indeed.
Matching a grilled sea bass with spicy shrimps as side course

Un año después de la anterior botella.
Esta última tenía un color amarillo ultra-pálido.
Tímida nariz a Champange, a la que añadir cáscara de plátano.
En boca, casi muerta. Sin duda su tiempo era el 2.011.
Maridó una lubina a la plancha con gambas picantes.

2006 Bodegas y Viñedos Montecastro Ribera del Duero Montecastro y Llanahermosa (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero) 25/04/2012

Business lunch at Las Rejas Restaurant, Albacete. Worth a visit. Don´t miss those empty bottles at the bar. What a collection!
Quintassential Ribera? Well, it is not exactly that but a good representation of what you have in mind when thinking about Ribera: Dark colour, full aromatic nose, oaky yet succulent, smoothie aftertaste and lacking personality. Some say lacking terroir expression. Textbook Ribera?
Starting that meal with a Manzanilla Solear and pairing a baked octopussy,Murcia style, more seafood and grilled angler fish for the main course.

Comida de negocios en el Mesón Las Rejas de Albacete. Merece una visita. No te pierdas esas botellas vacías en la barra. ¡Menua colección!
¿Quintaesencia del Ribera? Bueno, no es exactamente eso salvo una buen ejemplo de lo que tienes en mente cuando piensas en Ribera: Color oscuro, nariz plenamente aromática, amaderada pero suculenta, postgusto suavecito y careciendo de personalidad. Algunos lo llaman expresión del terruño. ¿Ribera de libro?
Manzanilla Solear como aperitivo y acompañando un pulpo al horno, estilo murciano, más marisco y un rape a la plancha.

2009 Carles Andreu Trepat Conca de Barberà (Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Conca de Barberà) 27/04/2012

I was curious cause that autochthonous varietal.
Ugly translucent violet colour.
Fully aromatic but short, ridiculously oaky for that butter touch.
A bit unbalanced palate, hottie, woody ... who needs something like this? Absurd.
Usually Trepat is a part of Cava blend. That is its place, in my modest opinion.

Tenía curiosidad por esta uva autóctona.
Feo color violeta traslúcido.
Plenamente aromática pero corta, ridículamente arobledada por ese toque a mantequilla.
Boca un poco desequilibrada, calentita, amaderada...¿quién necesita esto? Absurdo.
Normalmente el Trepat es una parte de la mezcla para el Cava. Ese es su sitio, en mi modesta opinión.

2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Crianza Viña Cubillo (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) 20/04/2012

Dark red colour for nose with clove, cinnamon, marzipan, cocoa, game, strawberries....what a symphony!
For a Crianza range, this young palate shows an interesting bouquet following those fabulous aromas. Any heat? Considering that acid grade, the answer is not.
A minor "cru" from a great vintage elaborated by a Big One...Rioja at its best!

Color rojo oscuro para una nariz con clavo, canela, mazapán, coco, caza, fresas,... ¡menuda sinfonía!
Para un Crianza, el paladar joven muestra un bouquet interesante seguido de esos fabulosos aromas. ¿Calor? Considering that acid grade, the answer is not.
Un viñedo menor de una gran añada elaborada por uno de los grandes... Rioja en lo mejor.

Chevillon en Nuits St. Georges con Luis Gutierrez 19/04/2012 (Enoteca Barolo - Madrid)

Good vigneron but and absurd vintage, a cool one expert saying, simply a bad one I guess.
Btw, where are those terrific 70 years old vines St.George or Vaincrains even? So poor selection.
C mon Barolo, you know how to make us happy

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Bousselots, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Bousselots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  Crimson colour.
  Crude, game, aromatic yet rustic nose for a 08i. Gunpowder. Violets maybe. Oaky anyway.
  On the palate,quite tannic, bitter, acidic finish.
  Does not worth his primer cru status.
  
  Color cardenalicio.
  Nariz cruda, a caza, aromática pero rústica para una 08. Pólvora. Quizás violetas. Amaderada de todas formas.
  En boca, bien tánica, con un final ácido.
  No merece su estatus de primer cru.

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Chaignots, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  Darker than Bousselots with watery rims.
  More floral on the nose: Pipe tobacco, coal, graphite.
  A bit timid at first, then closed again. No way out in my modest opinion.
  On the palate, it is not readyto be drank: Oaky, austere, disgusting.
  So needs time, a lot of time I think to go nowhere, probably.
  
  Más oscuro que el Bousselots con bordes acuosos.
  Más floral en nariz: tabaco de pipa, carbón, grafito.
  Un poco tímido al principio, y entomces cerrado de nuevo. Sin salida en mi modesta opinión.
  En boca, no está listo para ser bebido: amaderado, austero, desagradable.
  Así que necesita tiempo, un montón de tiempo creo para ir a ninguna parte, probablemente.

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Pruliers, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  Dark cherry colour for a sweet nose,more floral even, elegant, potent, with wet stones, ashes, gentlely smoked.
  Quite acidic palate that exalates green apple flavors.
  Could be great in ten years. With some airation, cherry coke palate.
  My choice and for many more.
  
  Color picota para una nariz dulce, mas floral incluso, elegante, potente, con piedras mojadas, cenizas, amablemente ahumado.
  Paladar bien ácido que exala sabores a manzana verde.
  Podría ser grande en diez años. Con algo de aire, paladar a cola de cereza.
  Mi elección y para muchos más.

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Roncieres, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Roncières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  Same closed coloour as its brothers.
  Dislike this ripe fruit wines when you are drinking a bad vintage like this one. Some game founded.
  Acidic, some strawberries on the palate. Passé.
  
  Mismo color cerrado que sus hermanos.
  No me gusta esosvinos de fruta madura cuando estás bebiendo una añada mala como esta. Encontrada algo de caza.
  Ácido, algunas fresas en boca. Para pasar.

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Perrieres, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Perrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  Beauty cherry colour.
  Typical Nui nose: floral, potent but at the same time plenty of game aromas.
  Surprisely open, very expressive palate. Sweetie. My outsider but can not match Pruliers.
  
  Bello color cereza.
  Típica nariz a Nuits: Floral, potente pero al mismo tiempo plena en aromas a caza.
  Sorprendentemente abierta, con un paladar muy expresivo. Dulcecita. Mi inesperada pero no puede con Pruliers.

A.C. Nuits St. Georges 1º Cru Les Cailles, Chevillon 2008

• 2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
  An easy winner.
  Profound, balanced, flloral and potent, all at the same time.
  Nose is timid. On the palate, oaky.
  Pretty good for a 08, excepting that short aftertaste.
  
  Una ganadora fácil.
  Profunda, equilibrada, floral y potente, todo al mismo tiempo.
  La nariz es tímida. En boca, amaderada.
  Bastante buena para ser del 08, exceptuando ese corto postgusto.

2008 Enrique Mendoza Pinot Noir Alicante (Spain, Valencia, Alicante) 14/04/2012

Dark cherry colour for a rustic yet effective bottle.
Very Hautes-Coates like.
On the nose this is very typical with violets, ashes, roses or coal. Very mineral.
Rich palate, bit alcoholic at 14% but smoothie with a long aftertaste for a relatively young Mediterranean PN vines (23 yo).
At this point, a beauty Pinot Noir.

Color picota profundo para una botella rústica aun efectiva.
Muy del estilo Hautes-Coates.
En nariz muy típica con violetas, cenizas, rosas o carbón. Muy mineral.
Rico paladar, un poco alcohólico con 14 grados pero suavecito y con un largo postgusto para unas viñas sw PN mediterráneo relativamente jóvenes (23 años).
En este momento, un bello Pinot Noir.

2006 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) 10/04/2012

Same good feelings but in at this point:
Muted nose, perhaps there are not more than cherries.
More watery mouthfeel but lovely scented.
For me, pasted its pick.

Mismas buenas sensaciones pero esta vez:
Nariz muda, quiás no más que cerezas.
Sensación en boca más acuosa pero ricamente especiada.
Para mí, pasadita.

Wine Books Review (4/4)

Pocket Wine Book by Hugh Johnson

I have to confess that have been buying this annual book for years.
Mainly because Bourdeaux section, more concretely cause that drinking window for each vintage.
Reading other contest, always with a smile on my face, and feeling that by disgrace and leaving Sherry aside, Spain is not HJ favorite country.
The fact is very easy to explain: You DO consider those Spanish as a cruel, unrefined people (excepting Torres, so funny) and, of course, NOT like Spanish wines because DO NOT understand them. So British in many ways (Using same prejudices).
Considering Spain after Germany is not fair but it does not matter. Take Iberia as something united. Sherry and Port apart. Seems you have no idea what you are talking about. Funny again.
Indeed, there are totally unacceptable expressions. Do not believe me?
Please, try to be honest and speak clear:
"It´s the grapes, stupid. Spanish consumers have always confused oak with quality, and winemakers have obliged".
Really? Who told you that shit, OBE? How can you say that anyway? Noway HJ
Another example:
"Remember when Spain was Europe´s poor relation in the wine world? No longer..."

So pitifull you came over here from time to time as our invited. Pretty obvious nobody is reading you here.
Better idea to be a non grata person in Spain. Go to Gibraltar with the monkeys grandfa!

Vintage Wine Companion by Michael Broadbent

What a difference!
As HJ, this gentleman has no idea of our wines.
In this particular case, not a single mention but a delightful language.
Learning of oldie vintages with MB is always a pleasure.

The Wine Trials by Robin Goldstein

Funny, irreverent, clear, fearless, lucky, recommended book.
Robin Goldstein is an intelligent wine lover with a natural curiosity to show us the crude truth.
It was a privilege to meet him in Ciudad Real last May during Fenavin Fair.

Australian Wine Vintages by Robin Bradley

Looking for a good Aussie wine? This is my golden choice.
Really appreciated that Star ranking system. So Australian.
Evenmore, that "best year to drink" explanation, including that "prior" definition. So adorable.
Only I missed more information about my loved Yarra Yerring cellar.

 The Wines of Burgundy by Clive Coates

Trustable, friendly, ample, complete, best consultant Burgundian wine book.
Always something new to be learnt.
My favorite lecture before go to bed.

Judment of Paris by George M. Taber

Real facts based. I know itis only a novel, but I like it.
When Napa won Bourdeaux in Paris. Total humillation.

Wine Books Review (3/4)

The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson (Spanish Edition)


Given as a gift, this an ideal book for people moving their interest to wine.

Maps are very complete, labels help to differ between goods and theorically bads bottles. That is the point.
On the other hand, details are very poor, Spanish section incomplete (Thanks to Robinson figures in third place, I assume) and a short history of the origins of wine culture.

Sometimes if you try to talk about everything, you speak nothing at all.

How to Enjoy your Wine by Hugh Johnson (Spanish Edition)

Another gift.
Basics and more basics.
A young HJ give you a few examples to enjoy your wine.
A book full of topics working only for Britons.

Wine tastes, Wine styles by Andrew Jefford (Spanish Edition)

More complete that last review, this book, one more gift, is at least, full of beautiful pictures taken by Alan Williams. Probably they are the best part of this book.
The text is very basic and recommended for beginners.
Good for what it is.

Burgundy and its Wines by Nicholas Faith

For me, this is a typical example that everything is possible in this little wine world.

The potion is very easy: a prologe of a famous guru (RP Jr.), lovely landscape pictures (Andy Katz) and a good verbosity of a pseudofamous wine writter. What a shame!

By the way, Burgundy is well-represented by those nice photos but the wines, where the hell are the wines?
Perhaps those last five pages of 146. So pitifully.

Wein by André Dominé (Spanish Edition)


This is a big book but not a great one.
If only consider the size, you can think every wine knowledge must to be inside.
By disgrace, as you perfectly know, bis is not synonimous of better. Typical confusion.

Anyway, this is a serious effort to establish a reference among all these books.
After all, Geman spirit always is considering the whole as a goal.

This is not only a complete reference but a consultive book.
Sincerely I think it must to be checked again.
Highly recommended.
As ever, Könemann means quality.

Wine Books Review (2/4)

The Finest Wines of Burgundy by Bill Nanson

Burgundy Report, that independent web you know.
In spite I do find it weak, really appreciated for its articles and that free sincerity.
In this particular case, a foreword by Hugh Johnson does not help so much cause it is coming from a man that does not know Burgundy very well, just Bordeaux, Germany and Australia.
This venerably OBE elderly is taking money everywhere. Amazing.

About this book, Jon Wyand, a professional photographer, is the relucent star.
Every picture reflects a certain part of the personality of those vignerons.

Every winemaker is presented individually, emphasizing the wines that Nanson prefers.
A very few news of each cellar so little boring. About those finest wines, I have to say that they are not more than a tasting notes resume. Incomprehensible choices often.
That final Finest 100 selection is also an absurd, excepting if you are thinking in BR parameters,but for those pics highly recommended.

Wines of Burgundy by Serena Sutcliffe

Serena Sutcliffe MV is a talented writer with an ample knowledge of French wines, mainly Bordeaux and Burgundy. She had not only linked to Sotheby´s Wine Department for many years but a perfect French speaker, facilitating the comprehension of the wines and their authors. Yes, she also is Peppercorn´s wife.

Almost a pocket book, this good guide for beginners has all you need to star this journey to Burgundy. Avoid that Hugh Johnson prologue.
Complete information of the apellations, wine examples, wine makers and understandable maps.
Good source for a first approximation to what is important in this region with a easy A-Z list.

Despite this is an old edition, coming from 2003, the book is clearly on form today.
Really recommended.

The Great Domaines of Burgundy by Remington Norman


Now we are talking.
Remington Norman is not only a well-known Burgundian wine authority but a man whom likes get to the point.
Tecnichal and cellars presentation are impeccable in this book. Pure demostration of total control. No doubts here.
From that foreword by Michel Broadbent, that is style, to the final part with what is happening in Burgundy: Grapes, how they are making wine, tasting and vntages.
Real core is crossing the different domains, understanding the philosophy of every house, taking a detailed view of every wine and discovering some gems. All what aficionado needs.
Maps are great. Photos by Jon Wyand are, again, spectacular.
I have to recognize this is a serious effort and have to read even more but with Norman got more than I can manage.
More than a necessary recommendation.

Grand Cru by Remington Norman

As Aubert de Villaine says in the foreword, this book is "a natural follow up to The Great Domaines of Bugundy and just as essential".
Reading Villaine´s terroir concept is something delicious. Demanding respect for the land. Defending Burgundy wine beyond Pinot Noir.
At this point, Norman presents a vertically Gran Cru and Finest Primer Cru of Burgundy.
There are only 33 Gran Cru, less than 1% of the wineland in the Cote d´Or.
The decription is very effective: General aspects, Origins, Statistics, Principal Owners, Topography and, of course, the Wine.
To be honest, I have found here a direct, clean and friendly explanation of every wine.
Absolutly recommended.

2009 Adega do Mollón Ribeira Sacra Pombares (Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra) 04/04/2012

This wine has two 2011 awards: Gold for a careful wine and Ruby Wine and Women. Sincerely, I do not know why.
Our indigenous Mencía can be compared with Burgundian Gamay. Hence, better if chilled.
Colour is pale, watery purple-like.
Nose is a fruit assorted basquet, mainly strawberry candies. Earthy, lightly smokie too.
Palate has not emotions for this bottle. Shorty, missing something more complex.
Only fair.

Este vino tiene 2 premios del 2011: Oro como vino cuidadoso y Rubí como Vino y Mujer. Sinceramente no se el porqué.
Nuestra Mencía puede ser comparada con la borgoñona Gamay. Así que mejor fresquita.
El color es pálido, como púrpura acuoso.
La nariz es una cesta de frutas rojas variadas, principalmente a palotes. También se mostró terrosa y ahumada.
Solo buena.
En boca no hay emociones, Cortita, echando de menos algo de complejidad.

2007 Pago del Vicario Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Penta (Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla) 01/04/2012

Same vintage, after an entire year.
Some good evolution, a limpid dark cherry colour, a thyme nose with blackcurrants, a chocolatey mouthfeel.
Anyway the heat is on in this bottle. There is not soul inside.
Easy yet boring to drink.

Después de un año entero, la misma añada.
Alguna evolución poitiva:un color cereza límpido, nariz a tomillo con moras negras, una sensación en boca achocolatada.
De todas formas se nota el calor. No hay alma dentro de esta botella.
Fácil pero aburrida de beber.