White Rioja can be very nice indeed, but this Viura example does not shape up. Came as a gift, but unhappily (for me) undrinkable. Horrid, would not even blend it...off to the fishes.

Thresher used to stock Conde de Valdemar, I think, back in the old days pre 3 for 2. Never had the white though.

Thanks for the warning as WR is one of my faves and I might've bought this. Where from?

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mel

This is what they (wine anorack) once said about this wine.
Conde de Valdemar Barrel Fermented 1998 (White)
Single vineyard 100% Viura; barrel fermented in a mixture of French and American oak. Lovely nose: full and oaky with a wonderful bitter lemon twist. On the palate the noticeable oak is well integrated with the bitter-edged fruit. Very interesting and very good+.

Years ago, Peter Dominique, and then Threshers who took over PD shops carried this as a stocking line.
I think I have drunk this when in Spain more recently. cant remember what I thought, so not memorable like Ygay. It is a wine that needs some age, and then drunk fairly cool, or if quite young, with light foods. Laithy stocks the Martinez Bujander white viura on the MB label. Yet MB own the Valdemar vineyards since 1890's but modernised the winery in 1980's.

I do like the Reserva and Grand reserva red rioja from MB - But have never drunk them until at least 5 years bottle age (7 or 8 years on), after which time, there is a fundamental change in flavour and mouth feel and fruit / oak integration.

I have forgotten the rules for reserva bianco, but I would say, that the wine may be asleep when only 18 months or so from release ? Ba, if that means anything, this wine is usually in the £11 region in the UK when released.

You liked the Martin Codax ? 2006 was an indifferent vintage for tempranillo says RP reports.

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Duncan

I think you might be a little kind. 06 should be drinking well now, surely, and somebody has clearly sold the wine for drinking.

Desperately trying to get the house kid-free as need some silence - to the point of driving them both to school. Fred's school transport can't make it here, so I'm off to brave the hills of deepest Eastcombe.

Then there's a man coming to spray for carpet moths, then SILENCE.

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mel

Yeah, quite right, I can be too forgiving with a dodgy wine from a recognised producer.

It is worth noting though, that Laithy is selling the 2004 on the MB bianco label. A recognised vintage from a qualified merchant.

Carpet moths - you are a wise women. After the 2003 heat wave the b*stard moths came in the 4 foot cavity under the floor boards, through air bricks and other ventilation holes, and the following Spring, the grubs started chopping the carpet knots from the underside.
Fortunately I noticed quickly, but have some very small bald areas under furniture in both an antique Persian and a victorian chinese carpet.
The first indication you have is analysis of the hoover dust, showing much more colour from the nap of the carpet.

Round the warm radiator pipes and edges of the carpet near a source of warmth is a favourite for those blighters. Also don't leave paper files or cardboard study folders under cabinets and dining room furniture, they seem to be attracted to the that material. A month after the man has been, polish the floors with John Lewis wax, applied very very heavily and allowed to soak in. The moths hate that wax, or if stone floors, put boiled linseed oil down, and allow to dry, before putting your rug back over.

Hope that's not teaching you to suck eggs.

I keep a large aerosol of cat flee spay in the cupboard if I see some around. Works a treat. Spraying the underside of an Oriental carpet under the sofa is highly recommended, when spring cleaning.

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Duncan

The MC was an Albarino so would have been more of an early drinker

I used to like Cune's oaked Viura offering (Cune Monopole purchased @ waitrose).
Last bottles I had were 2005 vintage but was a good while back now (liked the nose and the initial oaky mouth but started to not be so keen on the lemony finish)
Tasted exactly the same as JG's tasting note you've just posted for the 98 Valdemar

The man's doing the spraying now. I don't think he gets out much. Very chatty indeed. He hasn't found any other infestations (and boy has he looked) but he's leaving me a trap so I can keep an eye on the situation.

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mel

Sorry Mel, but have no idea where it came from.

you're not talking about the moth infestation, are you.

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mel

Not so wise women - it's not the moths for HS, it's their larvae from the eggs they leave in the Autumn, that eat ya bleeding natural carpets - they even chomp thru a very heavy washed silk carpet. That churpy bloke told ya nothing useful ?

Check wood worm in the rafters next, massive increase in UK period / arts & crafts homes, they fly in and leave larvae Mel. but Winters like this should knock them back a bit. The harder and better quality the European wood, the more they like it. Bit like wine really. They won't eat Scandinavian or Russian deal


Ba - a First Quench outfit - Wine Rack.

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Duncan

[quote="Duncan"]

it's their larvae from the eggs they leave in the Autumn

Check wood worm in the rafters next

Both are really excellent in curry.

No, he did tell me quite a lot (at great length) about the moths and their larvae and also wasps, deer, rats. A thrilling morning!

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mel

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

I think that this came from a local (home-based) mob dealing mainly in club / pre-mix cases. Now £8

Am confused however that it is called viura but is 90% Temp.
Also I read that Macabeu, Viura, Ugni B and Xarello are the same thing, as well as some of those being different grapes as well.

Mmmm

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Who were you told all this by?

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mel