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Sanclodio Ribeiro 200S9 pain

This is an great example of the crisp, aromatic wines coming out of northern Spain. The grapes are indigenous, the winery is state of the art. The idea is to produce fresh, clean wines that properly respect and represent the region of Ribeiro. You can drink this by itself at the end of a long day. Also, particularly well paired with seafood.

$20.25

Tilenus Roble Mencia Bierzo 2006 Spain

When we were all new to the Mencia grape, this was one of the first producers we saw. They own about 100 acres of old vines in the Bierzo region of northern Spain, from 50 to 80 years of age. This wine has a fine concentration of flavor, thanks to the old vines, no doubt. Complex aromas of red fruit and spice. Oak influence is present but certainly not overpowering. A perfect introduction to Mencia's charms.

$19.00

R. Lopez de Heredia "Tondonia" Reserva Rioja 1993 Spain

R. Lopez de Heredia is one of the most unique wineries in the world. A big statement, but few that know these wines would dispute it. You will notice the 1993 vintage. These guys wait until they think the wine is ready to drink before they release it. That doesn't mean it won't get better, just that it is matured in a way the producer thinks is right. That alone makes them unique. Then there is the mysterious beauty that is a bit more difficult to put into words. Realize that these do not taste like most wines on the market. Since most of us do not often drink 18 year old wines, they may require a little something from you. Patience, an open mind and attention. I find even the whites do best with an hour in a decanter. Don't over chill this, either. Think of orange blossoms, stone fruits, hazelnuts and honeycomb.

$49.00

Algueira Ribeira Sacra 2007 Spain

Algueira is a microscopic producer from northern Spain's Ribiera Sacra region. Everything is done carefully to produce one of the best examples of Mencia we have tried. This is definitely in the same league as the great wines made by Palacios. Medium bodied and refined. It bears resemblance to a fine Pinot Noir.

$32.25

Palacios Camins del Priorat 2009 Spain

Alvaro Palacios is certainly one of Spain's prime movers. His high end Priorats are considered some of the best wines in the world. It is nice to be able to show one of his wines at a price that we mere mortal can afford. Utilizing the grapes that are commonly seen in Priorat, Palacios has fashioned a wine that can be drunk now. The texture is medium bodied (devoid of the harsh tannins that requires the $$$ ones to age for decades) and the texture is firm. The wine exhibits vivid black raspberry and cherry flavors with hints of Xmas spice.

$22.00

Puelles Rioja Crianza Rioja 2007 Spain

We have carried this wine for several vintages now and it never fails to impress. The producer has one foot in the old world and one in the new. While the wine is forward and fruity, it is not laden with the coconutty oak, that often spoils Spanish reds these days. Medium bodied, food friendly and loveable.

$13.50

Louro Do Bolo Godello Valdeorras 2010 Spain

Rafael Palacios is one of the most influential producers in Northern Spain. He was one of the first to rediscover old plots of grape varietals that had lay fallow for years. He is particularly interested in the white grape, godello, which is commonly used in simple, inexpensive wines. Palacios owns 20 parcels of Godello, some of which contain vines nearly 90 years of age. He carefully ages the wine in large oak barrels and achieves a complexity that demands a second sip.

$21.25

Descendientes de J. Palacios "Petalos" Bierzo 2009 Spain

The real pioneers in the rediscovery of Bierzo's Mencia grape are the cousins Ricardo Perez and Alvaro Palacios. They saw the potential for a grape that was virtually ignored. There are various patches of old vines in the region but no large vineyards. For this reason the wines are made from a patchwork of sites. Petalos is the entry level wine from these guys. Ordinarily the Petalos is a bit more peppery and earthy than the Tilenus Roble. There are also a few wines by this producer, made in micro quantities from single vineyards, at much higher prices.

$22.00