Candidato Oro 2005

May 24th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo No Comments »

The aromas were much easier to identify than the flavours in this particular wine. To add to the tasting notes below, there was something sweet and sour about this wine that stood out especially when mixed with herbaceous notes.
Although mostly tempranillo, this vintage was also blended with some grenache.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste sour berry, tomato leaf, bitters
Smell sweet smoke, spice, blueberry
Food cold cuts
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 523811
Score 2




Penascal Tempranillo 2005

February 19th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo No Comments »

This Spanish tempranillo is what I’d imagine you’d find on most people’s table in Spain, it’s good table wine and the price is just right.
Although the wine is not very complex, I do like the firm tannins in play.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, oak, tea
Smell blackberry, vanilla, spice
Food lamb, stew, sausages
Sweetness dry
Price $8.95
LCBO# 343434
Score 3.5




Fontal Tempranillo Crianza 2004

July 4th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo No Comments »

With a medium-full mouthfeel, this tempranillo is wide and juicy. Finishing off with sweet tannins and a fruity yet earthy finish.
Interesting note: Due to the region’s (La Mancha) dry climate, the rows of vines are planted far apart so the roots don’t compete for what little moisture there is in the soil between rainfalls.
Release Date: May 10, 2008
At a Glance
Taste dark berry, earth, oak
Smell red berry, earth, plum
Food sausage
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 720235
Score 3.5




Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha

April 12th, 2008 Sean Posted in Red Blend, Spain No Comments »

Take note of this wine from Spain, unlike other wines with cutesy names and uniform taste this wine is playing a different tune. Spanish wines are often very dry, dense and sharp. Spain has been making wine for a long time, but like Chile and South Africa its profile is on the rise.
I believe the wine maker set out to produce something different that would be welcome by most palats. And he succeeded. With lots of dark fruit flavors, berries and soft tannins this is an easy drinking wine on any occasion. As a bonus you can discover two grapes you may not have had yet.
Tip: Garnacha is Spanish for Grenache.
At a Glance
Taste currant, raspberry, plum
Smell spice, berries
Food braised beef, mushrooms
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.65
LCBO# 54007
Score 3
Red Guitar




Bodegas Castano Hecula 2005

March 1st, 2008 Chuck Posted in Monastrell, Spain 1 Comment »

This spanish red has an amazing inky violet colour that lasts all the way to the rim. The flavours are very deep and intense as you pickup on the oak, blackberry, vanilla, tar with a hint of tobacco. The bouquet features a cherry, cassis and cedar.
Dry red lovers will love the chewy tannins on the finish. An excellent value wine.
Tip: balloon glass, no quality loss on second day
At a Glance
Taste oak, blackberry, vanilla
Smell cherry, cassis, cedar
Food red meat, pasta with red sauce
Sweetness extra dry
Price $13.85
LCBO# 718999
Score 3.5




Codorniu Brut Cava Pinot Noir Rose Sparkling Wine

February 23rd, 2008 Sean Posted in Spain, Sparkling No Comments »

Yup, pink sparkling wine. Rose’s get a bad wrap often as they became known as bad wine, not always true. No we weren’t hanging out on the set of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, just dinner at home on a Saturday. This is a nice example of what happens when you let some of the grapes true colors shine through. This sparkling wine, like most, is made from Pinot Noir (a red variety). It has lots of Pinot Noir qualities like strawberry and cherry flavors. This is a really refreshing sparkling wine, enjoy it any day with lunch or dinner. Sparkling wine isn’t just for special occasions.
Tip: Go from fridge to freezer 10 minutes before serving
At a Glance
Taste cherry, strawberry, cotton candy
Smell stone fruit, flowers, plum
Food appetizers, feta or goat cheese
Sweetness
Price $16.85
LCBO# 665372
Score 3
corrose.jpg




Penescal Shiraz 1999

January 28th, 2008 Archive Posted in Shiraz, Spain No Comments »

From the wine maker www.habarcelo.es
Colour: rich, brilliant cherry colour. Aroma: deliciously fruity, with soft vanilla tones from the American oak, complex and delicate. Richly colored with delicious cherry and raspberry flavors. Taste: well balanced, velvety and smooth with a long lingering finish.
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut

January 26th, 2008 Archive Posted in Spain, Sparkling No Comments »

From the wine maker www.freixenetusa.com
Carta Nevada has a residual sugar level of 1.5%, giving it a fruitier flavor, even though it remains technically a Brut. Carta Nevada Brut carries a refreshing light, clean taste and finish appealing to champagne drinkers of all experiences. Full, ripe peach-apricot fruit and vanilla flavors with a big round softness in the mouth.
$10.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Freixenet Brut de Noirs

January 12th, 2008 Archive Posted in Spain, Sparkling No Comments »

From the winemaker freixenetusa.com
This sparkling wine is fresh, crisp and lively. It is full of ripe cherry and berry flavors with a body that is exceptionally smooth and satiny. It is surprisingly dry with a long and satisfying finish.
Brut de Noirs is a blend of two red Spanish grape varieties called Garnacha (50%) and Monastrell (50%). Mediterranean red grapes are naturally lower in acid creating a softer brut without the typical astringent acidity found in most sparkling wines. These red grapes are also responsible for the attractive salmon-pink color of the wine.
$ 12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
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Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut

January 12th, 2008 Archive Posted in Spain, Sparkling No Comments »

From the winemaker freixenetusa.com
Cordon Negro Brut is crisp, clean and well balanced. The dosage is very dry, but the acidity is lower than most champagnes for a softer, smoother flavor. It is medium-bodied with a moderately long and clean finish.
Cordon Negro is a blend of three white Spanish grape varieties called Macabeo (35%), Xarel-lo (25%) and Parellada (40%). Macabeo produces a fairly light but fruity, aromatic wine of medium-high acidity – characteristics crucial to the production of sparkling wine. It is also an important grape in the aging process because its must does not readily oxidize. Xarel-lo yields a robust, high-acid wine and contributes power and depth. Parellada is the star of all cava blends. It has both beautiful demonstrative fruit and finesse.
$ 13.35
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
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Marques de Caceres Rosado

January 3rd, 2008 Archive Posted in Red Blend, Spain No Comments »

From the wine maker www.marquesdecaceres.com
Pale strawberry red color. Charming, lively bouquet with pleasant notes of strawberries and bilberries and a slight depth of fragrant flowers in the background. Very balanced in the mouth, full yet refined, with rich fruit flavours that linger on the palate. An exquisite rose that will delight your tastebuds at any time of the day.
 
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Freixenet Brut de Noirs

January 2nd, 2008 Archive Posted in Spain, Sparkling No Comments »

From the wine maker www.freixenetusa.com
This sparkling wine is fresh, crisp and lively. It is full of ripe cherry and berry flavors with a body that is exceptionally smooth and satiny. It is surprisingly dry with a long and satisfying finish.
$12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine