Tag Archives: spain

Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine.  The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading

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Les Sentius, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2009, 15.5% abv, 11 Euros

This version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó (the celler complete with wall-mounted sundial is left), but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate … Continue reading

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El Casot, La Colección, Trio Infernal, Combier, Fischer and Gerin, Torroja, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 13.5% abv.

This version of the Priorat comes from the celler of three French winemakers who migrated to Catalunya and set up shop in the tiny hamlet of Torroja del Priorat.  They’ve been making wines together here since 2002. You can read … Continue reading

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Viatge al Priorat, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 15 Euros

This youthful version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó, but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate dinner there. As he was leaving, … Continue reading

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Porrera vi de Vila, Vall Llach, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 15.5% abv, 44.50 Euros

The drive from Falset to Porrera in southern Catalunya is not exactly for the faint of heart. We were told the tortuously narrow, winding roads are a huge improvement upon what used to be there.  At least they were paved – and it didn’t … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1998, 12.5% abv.

Just about any bottle of López de Heredia is enough to make most wine geeks swoon.  But, when we put five in a room armed with glasses and this bottle of Viña Tondonia Reserva, 1998, the atmosphere quickly became ‘fan girly’. We … Continue reading

Posted in Macabeu/Viura, Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clos Monlleó, Sangenís i Vaqué, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 1999, 15% abv

During our visit to Celler Sangenís i Vaqué in January 2015, Maria hosted solo but brought out all the stops for an exceptional tasting.  Of the ten poured, four were a vertical of the Clos Monlleó from 2013, 2011, 2005 and 1999. Monlleó is the surname … Continue reading

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Laurel, Clos i Terrasses, DOQ Priorat, Spain, 2012, 15% abv.

Do a quick Google search for ‘Daphne Glorian’ and up pops an inordinate number of results – 18,700, to be exact.  She’s a bona fide wine rockstar whose life work is synonymous with the red wines of Priorat, Spain. One of … Continue reading

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Mas Doix, 1902 Centenary Carignan, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.% abv,

It’s hard not to notice – there seems to be a higher-than-average number of female winemakers in Priorat, Spain.  I mean, a four day tour of the region is hardly enough to prove anything statistically, but of the seven wineries we … Continue reading

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Lo Coster Blanc, Sangenís i Vaqué, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2013, 18 Euros

It’s the perennial question – what is ‘the next big thing’ in wine?  My bet is on the white wines of Priorat DOQ. During a trip in January 2015 to this high quality Spanish region, I was repeatedly and most happily surprised by … Continue reading

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