-
Armantes Old Bush Vine Garnacha 2006
NZD $19.95 NZD $18.95
Out of Stock
All the way from Calatayud near Zaragoza north east of Spain, this is another example of what old vines Grenache can produce, an ultra saturated wine very full body with concentration and power. Lovely and juicy grown at high altitude that exhibits aromas of dark berry and plum with great vibrancy, freshness and minerality. The surprising thing is that for a wine so reasonably priced it over delivers in every front, fantastic tannins, ample middle palate, focus, in essence excellent value. You might have tried Grenache before but of this quality and price they are not that many around.
-
La Multa Old Vine Macabeo 2006
NZD $21.95 NZD $19.95
This is made from 45 year old vines in the continental inland climate of Calatayud in north eastern Spain. Completely unoaked with extensive lees aging to give it complexity, aroma and depth. The wine exhibits a mouth filling and caressing structure with beautiful vibrancy yet remaining very clean and accurate, full bodied and expressive yet not sweet or flabby. Ideal with fish, casseroles, white cheeses and definitely white meats such as pork. Drink now or over the next 3-4 years.
-
Armantes Old Bush Vine Rose 2007
NZD $23.95 NZD $21.95
Out of Stock
Situated in central Spain at very high altitude, with a very continental climate, very cold winters and hot summers. This is not your usual rose, it is dry, bursting with berry fruit, wild strawberry but yet soft and juicy. It has concentration, power and length but still remaining clean, pure and fresh. Ideal with antipasto, tapas and seafood. Drink now or keep for a couple of years.
-
Aretey Cava Brut Reserva
NZD $26.95 NZD $24.95
Penedes in Catalunya, Spain, have been producing Cava for centuries, in fact one of the first areas to produce bottle fermented sparkling wine. Over the last 10-15 years it has become the biggest seller of sparkling wine in the world. There is a big range of Cavas from dry to semi sweet, Reserva, Vintage etc. The one here today is a Brut Reserva made from Macabeo, Xarel•lo and Parellada, all native varieties of Catalunya. Aged on its lees for 15 months, in fact in some cases longer than Champagne. No wonder that this is so good, so concentrated and exhibiting beautiful, creamy, yeasty and almost nutty sort of flavours with incredible refined bubbles and freshness. If you haven’t tried it before, you really should because at $24.95 it doesn’t come any better!
-
Albada Tinto 2001
NZD $28.95 NZD $27.95
-
Cruz de Piedra Las Navas 2001
NZD $29.95 NZD $26.95
Robert Parker Jr. recently wrote that one of his great predictions would be the rise of Spain as the next worldwide shining star. Myself being Spanish, I always believed it was just a matter of time before this happened. Anyone looking around the diversity of regions, climates and terroir in Spain coupled with great artistic winemakers who are willing to push new boundaries sooner or later you will end up making world class wines. This particular wine comes from Calatayud, a relatively new area in Spain that is starting to challenge the more established areas. Made from 60 year old vine Garnacha (Grenache) harvested from high altitude vineyards and minimalistic winemaking had made a massively concentrated wine with enormous power and muscle, aged in oak for 5 months therefore letting the true expression of the Garnacha express itself. On the palate it shows dark cherry with hints of roasted pine nuts, liquorice and spice finishing with a great expression of purity. Basically you would expect to pay over $40 for a wine of this quality but another advantage is that Spain offers wonderful value for money wines.
-
Manga del Brujo 2005
NZD $34.95 NZD $32.95
-
Casa Gran Del Siurana GR-174 2008
NZD $38.95 NZD $36.95
For this one we go north east of Spain to the region of Catalunya, Tarragona to be precise just inland from the Mediterranean sea in Priorat one of the most focused and forward looking areas in the world that have been making full body wine with great intensity and minerality. Made from mainly Garnacha and Caranyena both traditional varieties of Priorat, this offers a full bodied, mineral and concentrated structure with great minerality and freshness. The tannins are substantial but they are ripe and on the whole, the wine offers great balance, profound and very full bodied. This is something that should ideally be drunk at around 15-16 degrees as this helps it to bring out the mineral notes and the freshness. Excellent with game, aged cheeses and generally speaking, robust food. It can also be cellared for a further 7-8 years.
-
Monte Armantes Reserva 2001
NZD $45.95 NZD $39.95
From the now very well established region of Calatayud, this is a selection of 25 barrels of very old vine Tempranillo from the classic vintage of 2001. Very intense, deep coloured and immense middle palate with racy acidity, focus and tannins to match, smoky and leathery yet very refined balance with great structure. A classic vintage which will be starting to drink in another 4-5 years time.
-
Las Pizarras 2005
NZD $45.95 NZD $39.95
Made from 100% old vine Granache from very high altitude soils and a mountainous vineyard, tiny yields which makes it extremely concentrated, full bodied and impeccably clean, focused and fresh. Even though it is a very full bodied wine, in some ways in style of a Barolo, it still remains very textural, succulent and perfectly balanced. Starting to drink quite well now but will also cellar for another 8-10 years.
