Glorioso rioja reserva 2006 - needs no introduction.

2 x Marqués de Amba Reserva 2007, Spain, 13% from the Terra Alta region in Spain, where the super-ripened fruit produces wines laden with dark berry flavours-This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak to give the wine greater complexity and depth-Smooth and luxurious, this is happiest when paired with roast lamb

The extra ripe cab with this Temp gave the wine more structure, simply put
"a mix of Chilean cab with Rioja". Quite nice, and more weight the next day. The Tesco TN is accurate.


2 x Valtier Reserva 2004, 13%
The Utiel Requena is a Spanish DO (area) in Valencia where the Bobal grape is king-Here it has been blended with the Tempranillo grape, producing a wine with dark-cherry flavours-2004 was a brilliant vintage, and the wine was aged in oak barrels for 18 months before being left to age for the same period in the bottle, developing wonderfully mellow, smooth flavours.

Valencia is lighter, yet the oak barrels have built-up the weight and the Temp has matured well in this mix. Well used, American oak by the taste of it. The aged Bobal tasted like mature & ripe pomegranate when dark (without the pith) and within the mix it was quite interesting, and was also quite good when served cool.

At the offer price - No complaints at all - both had skilled oak treatment, decent acidity and neither of them were too "mellow".

Hitherto "Mellow" was not a particularly desirable attribute for a white wine - I suppose these days - It doesn't imply soft and a bit simple in a Spanish tinto. Anyway, the work in these Spanish bodegas was good value.

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Duncan

Spain, as always, offers great value. Take out the shipping, tax & duty and you see just how little good wine can cost.

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Yep, Im still here.

I don't know how they do it. For those Bodegas owners, it must be all about cashflow now. This EU financial crisis was promulgated by those b*st*rd big brother politicians - spending development money like water ! What sort of union is it ? Don't answer that Q.

I'm thinking about taking another. A £10 voucher arrived in the T wine mag yesterday.

The Glorioso R '06, was allegedly awarded Decanter 4 stars. I shall keep that for a little longer.

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Duncan