tempranillo

A bit of the pre-Douro: Niepoort – Diálogo Tinto 201503-06-2019

Today I find myself freshly arrived in the Douro Valley, apparently slipping in on the end of a mini heatwave. The last time I came here, I ended up driving through rampant forest fires. This... more>

A small taste of Málaga26-11-2018

You are spoiled, simply spoiled, when it comes to wonderful food and drink in Spain. There are however those more spoiled than others and I posit that anyone in Catalunya or the Basque Country lives... more>

That age-old Spanish mixaroo type thing: Crittenden – Los Hermanos Homenaje 201525-08-2018

I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s fitting to mention it here: Wine Folly is dangerous. And no, I don’t mean that in a catchy Kenny Loggins, “Danger Zone” way, but in a bad information is... more>

Bodegas Roda – Sela 201529-07-2018

I’ve been following the evolution of this Sela from Bodegas Roda for some time now and you can read up what I wrote about the 2013 and 2014 vintages. For anyone unfamiliar with the winery,... more>

Tasting the latest of Vins de Pedra14-11-2017

It was back in 2012 that I witnessed the first breaths of Vins de Pedra. During a spring visit to La Vinyeta and chatting with owner, Josep Serra, it was impossible to miss a new... more>

Bodegas Roda – Sela 201430-06-2017

I was quite excited to receive this recent sample as I’d tasted the Sela 2013 sometime back and found it to be not only a great wine, but also a great value. I’m not really... more>

López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia Reserva 200407-04-2017

I’ve spent this whole week in La Rioja, a name in Spanish wine that even the most casual of wine drinkers have usually heard of if nothing else. It’s been a trip that’s been a... more>

The future of Pingus in 2014, 2015, & 201627-03-2017

Peter Sisseck and his winery, Dominio de Pingus should need little if any introduction to those who know Spanish wines. An enologist by study, he found his way to Ribera del Duero, encountered some fine,... more>

Bodega Otazu’s Vitral, the 2,000€ ruse24-02-2017

A few days ago, word came down that there is a new, ultra-premium-priced wine from Spain, the Bodega Otazu – Vitral 2013. Undeterred by the idea of a mere 1,000€ for Pingus or l’Ermita, they’ve... more>

Bodegas Roda – Sela 201301-12-2016

Rioja is a place that continuously confuses me. It’s easy to hate on it simply because there are so many cheap wines produced from under its DOC mark–that extra ‘C’ meaning Calidad or Quality. Unfortunately... more>