Conde Valdemar Rioja Crianza 2018, Tempranillo

 

Wine Conde Valdemar Rioja Crianza 2018, Tempranillo		Tasting Date 01-04-2023
Appearance	Clear Intensity - medium: Colour - ruby : Legs/tears
Nose	Condition - clear Intensity - medium (+): Primary - redcurrants, cranberries, red cherry: Secondary - vanilla, nutmeg, cedar
Palate	Sweetness -dry Acidity - medium : Tannin - high : Alcohol - High : Body - medium Flavour intensity - medium (+) Flavour characteristics - Primary - redcurrants, cranberries, red cherry: Secondary - vanilla, nutmeg, cedar
Assessmentof quality	Good, an elegant Rioja, well balanced
Level ofreadiness fordrinking	Can be drunk now, but plenty of potential for further aging.

Lanzaga, Rioja 2008

Lanzaga, Rioja 2008. Bodega Lanzaga was only founded in 1998 but it has created a strong sense of terroir, tradition, grapes and people. Their small mountain vineyards are frequented by wild boar, roe deer etc and their wine making is rooted in nature. Largely Tempranillo - aromas of dark fruit, liquorice and plum, with spice.

Palma - December 2014 (12 Volts wine)

12 Volts, by 4 kilos The winery is located in the city of Felanixt, (SE Mallorca).

It is made from native varieties of Mallorca Callet and Fogoneu (60%) and Syrah (20%), Cabernet (10%) and Merlot (10%).

Technical information:

The grapes come from vineyards that are grown following a rational and minimal interventionist method of winemaking.

The grapes are harvested manually. In the winery maceration and fermentation are carried out in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature early in the process of 20C, increasing to 28C at the end of the process. The maceration is 20 days. Subsequently malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks.

12 Volts is aged for 9 months in foudres of 3000 litres and 2nd year and 3rd year French oak barrels of 225 litres.

The label is designed by artist, Gary Baseman.

Palma - December 2014

A wonderful early December short visit to Palma, staying at the Hotel Jamie III. Palma was cold and clear, the local population dressed in hats and scarves, although it was circa 14-16C.

The streets were dressed for Christmas and winter celebrations.

We enjoyed some stunningly simple tapas dishes during our stay including; boquerones, octopus (with smoked paprika), tortilla and simple fried fish dishes, all cooked beautifully.

The main market in Palma was colourful and full of great produce, with good displays of fish, meats and vegetables/fruits. All were carefully lit and displayed, adding a vibrancy to the market. We stopped for a simple fried fish dish at stand up counter.

Protos Reserva 2009

Protos Reserva 2009

Ribera Del Duero

A gift from a friend who lives in Spain. He has always preferred it to the ubiquitous Rioja and brought me some to try. Very kindly he did not bring the €8 one he drinks but the €22 Reserva (he only told me this afterwards when I had said just how good the wine was).
This wine was lovely, rich and fruity and with a very distinct vanilla aroma but without the harsher tones of many Riojas. A great wine that was such a joy to drink and I will look out for the Ribera del Duero, if I can find it here in the UK retailers.

Dark cherry colour. Complex aromas of black fruits. Velvety and fleshy mouth, full-body, with fine and elegant tannins that build good structure. The perfect match of wood and wine leads to a strong marriage. It delivers a very long aftertaste inviting you to drink again a delightful soft palate found in Protos' great wines.

This wine may contain sediment and has not been treated in any physical or chemical. Be decanted.
Contiene sulfitos.
Ribero del Duero Reserva
Embotellado por protos bodega.
14.5% vol

Soligamar Reserva

Soligamar Reserva

Rioja Reserva 2008

A good Rioja, but without the full richness and complexity of some better wines. I cannot remember how much I paid for this wine, but it does not compare with the standard of Campo Viejo Rioja, which I so enjoyed recently.

From the label;
Soligamar is a new, exclusive and distinguished wine but its origin can be traced back to 1896 when Don Quintin Ortega planted his first vines in the unique area close to the small village of Tudelilla in the Rioja Baja. In 1999 his grandson Carmelo Ortega started this new project.
Winemaker Carmelo Ortega was born in 1963. He has dedicated his entire professional life to Rioja wine. In 1988 he decided to re-open his Grandfather's property in order to take advantage of the uniqueness of La Pedriza and to create his own interpretation of Rioja wine. The utmost care it taken to ensure the sustainable development of the local environment.
14%

Campo Viejo Rioja

Campo Viejo Rioja

Reserva 2008

A lovely rioja, brought back by a friend from Spain. Something that is a gently but fulfilling pleasure, either summer or winter.

From the label:

Embotellado por bodegas Campo Viejo
Varidades: Tempranillo, Graciano y Mazuelo
13.5%

Cepa Lebrel Rioja Reserva 2009

Cepa Lebrel 

Rioja Reserva 2009

Denominacion De Origen Calificada

Although this was a cheaper Rioja (£5.99 from Lidl), I was still disappointed. It seemed to be lacking any sparkle, perhaps I was expecting too much. I do have another bottle, perhaps I will decant that one (as per suggestion on the bottle) and leave it around for a good while before drinking.

From the label:

Cepa Lebrel wines are the result of years of experience and dedication. Full of character, structure and body, this Reserva has been aged for 36 months, 18 of which took place in oak barrels. We recommend decanting the wine before serving. Once opened, consume within 3 days.

Carta Roja crianza 2009

Carta Roja crianza 2009

Monstrell Syrah
Jumilla Denominacion de Origen Protegida

A very pleasant, easy drinking wine that accompanied a hearty bean casserole. Deep and comforting food and drink for a dark and wet winter night in the UK.

From the label;

Carta Roja is made traditionally from Monastreli and Syrah grapes which produce rich and intense wines. It is full-bodied with red fruit aromas and intense flavours of ripe plum and vanilla. Aged in American oak barrels, this wine has soft, smooth tannins. It makes a fantastic partner for game and lamb dishes and also hard cheeses.

Tulga Crianza 2009

Tulga Crianza 2009

Toro

An easy drinking red wine with plenty of pleasant oak and good fruit. I enjoyed this wine with a range of tasty Christmas savoury bites. Good and uncomplicated wine for a pleasant winter evening from the massive Toro wine producing area of Spain.

From the label:

Cherry red colour with garnet tones. On the nose, it displays aromas of red fruits, cream and vanilla, having been aged in new American and French oak barrels. Fleshy on the palate, with polished tannins. It is a perfect partner for all kinds of meats, roasts, stews and cured cheeses. Serve between 16 and 18C.

Anciano Gran Reserva 2005 Tempranillo

Anciano Gran Reserva 2005 Tempranillo

Valdepenas

Aged 7 years, oak matured. The wine is mellow with ripe fruit and nicely oaked. This is a very pleasant deep wine, which I really enjoyed with one of my Beloved's stunning Feta and Spinach Omelettes.

From the label;

In the timeless Spanish winemaking tradition, Anciano is matured for at least seven years in our cellars to guarantee the perfect balance between ripe fruit and mellow oak character.

Drinking well now. Enjoy with roast lamb, chicken, and other grilled meats, hearty casseroles and mature cheeses.