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Big Bottle Night, Spain’s Heavy Hitters

 

Our Best of the Spain’s Big Bottle

On one of those rare cold nights in South Florida @wineclubmiami had no problems keeping warm with four magnums showcasing the best of Spain.  Top showing went to the only non Tempranillo based wine, the youthful 2014 Finca Dofi that is over 90% Grenache with a touch of Carignan. Over the last ten years, vanguard winemaker Alfonso Palacio has transformed his Dofi from a ‘big’ Cab/Syrah/ Grenache blend to a ‘light’ Grenache that showcases that famed brown licorella slate soil with the vibrant pomegranate fruit interwoven with Mediterranean garrigue.  I am happy to report Mr Palacio need not look in the rear view mirror as the New Dofi is doing very well with wine drinkers and critics alike. FYI – As with most young Priorats, this bottle benefited enormously from a long decant- twelve hours to be exact. It came around and opened beautiful at eight hours in,Jesus ,Wine Club Miami member.

2006 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva”This is amazing traditional Rioja with a complexity and beauty of ripe fruit and long aging. Unique. Full body, ultra-fine tannins, tobacco, vanilla, plums and prunes. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Three years aged in oak and three years in bottle. 80% tempranillo with the rest of the classic varieties. All from high altitude vineyards.”98 James Suckling Jamessuckling.com

Alluring plum, blackberry, cola and spice cake flavors are rich and balanced in this expressive red. There’s plenty of structure, but it doesn’t get in the way of the flavors, and the spicy, floral finish is long and fresh. *Top 100 Wines of 2008*
94 points Wine Spectater

09 San Vicente Rioja, A blocked nose is toasty and charred, with requisite black-fruit aromas; but it’s slightly herbal and stalky as well. A tight stern palate is rubbing and tannic, while this tastes of blackberry, mocha and savory spices. Tobacco and mocha are the main flavors on a controlled finish. For a marginal vintage like 2014, this is a winner; drink through 2028. MICHAEL SCHACHNER

Jesus and his heavy hitters from Spain