2008 Finca Jakue Txakoli Getariako Txakolina (Spain) – Hondarrabi Zuri grape
Vin de Vin (VdV): “With a name like that you are probably asking yourself a lot of questions. First, this wine is from the Basque region of Spain, and you may know they have their own language, spoken and written. Second, the grape in this wine is, hold on to your seat, Hondarrabi Zuri. Say what? Sounds Greek, but this wine is pure pleasure.”
2007 Berroia Bizkaiko Txakolina (Spain) – Blend of 90% Hondarribi Zuri, w/the balance Folle Blanche and Riesling grapes“The 2007 Berroia is 90% Hondarribi Zuri with the balance Folle Blanche and Riesling. Pale straw-colored, the wine offers an exceptional perfume of slate/mineral, green apple, and floral aromas. On the palate it has excellent volume and density with lots of bright fruit. Drink this well-made effort over the next 12-18 months with oysters and clams on the half-shell.” Rated 90 The Wine Advocate
2007 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha Calatayud (Spain) – Garnacha (Grenache) grape
“The garnet-colored 2007 Evodia is 100% Garnacha from vines planted on pure slate soils. The wine was fermented and aged in concrete vats. The nose delivers fragrant minerals and black cherries leading to a sweetly-fruited, smooth-textured, easy-going wine that lacks only complexity. For this price does it matter? Drink it over the next four years.” Rated 88 The Wine Advocate VdV: “Evodia is the Greek word for “aroma”. This is 100% Grenache (Garnacha is the grape’s name in Spain) from mountain grown fruit.”
2007 L’Agnet Priorat (Spain) – 80% Carignane and 20% Grenache grapes
“This is a blend of 80% Carignane and 20% Grenache from a coop in the Priorat region. The wine is deep red with some violet reflections; full bodied, it has tropical fruit aromas and ripe fruit flavors. Match it with a good ham steak” Heights Chateau. VdV: “Ripe berry fruit and tarry spicy complexity. Priorat has become my favorite wine region in Spain, mainly because I love their use of Grenache and Carignane.”
2005 Conde de Valdemar Crianza Rioja (Spain) – Tempranillo grape
“Cherry and raspberry flavors have a hard candy character in this chewy red. Firm and fresh, with vanilla and floral notes.” Rated 86 Wine Spectator Magazine VdV: “Rioja is the arguably the most famous wine region in Spain. It is certainly among its oldest. And Bodegas Valdemar is one of the region’s best wineries for the money.”
2004 Bodega Rejadorada Temple Toro Castilla Leon (Spain) – Tempranillo grape
93 POINTS WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE, TOP 100 BEST BUYS OF THE YEAR. “Rejadorada Temple has deep aromas of rich, ripe black fruit well balanced with the aromas from the oak: vanilla, cinnamon and cassis. It is balanced and potent in the mouth, with nice tannins that are well polished and slightly sweetened by the oak. Powerful, yet elegant; this is a superb wine you cannot miss! Enjoy it for the next 12 to 15 years.” casaventuraimports.com VdV: “The wine has over five years of age on it, so it will be interesting to compare this wine side by with the previous Tempranillo.”