Ètim Rosat is a rosé made from a selection of old vines Grenache and Syrah. After very brief skin contact to extract the pretty pink colour, the wines are cold fermented. This produces a deep, intense, fully flavoured rosé filled with raspberry and strawberry aromas and flavours. Enjoy with a summer salad or as a refreshing sipper.

CONDE DE VALDEMAR RESERVA  2001
DOCa Rioja  
(Bodegas Valdemar)

TASTING NOTE: Harmonious and well-balanced, this red delivers black cherry, cola and tobacco flavors with well-integrated tannins and a spicy finish. Not showy, but shows typicity and breed. Drink now through 2015.  Score - 90. (Thomas Matthews, www.winespectator.com, June 30, 2006)

947309    (XD)            750 mL    $22.95   

MUGA RESERVA  2004
DOCa Rioja  

TASTING NOTE: Deep ruby-red. The 2004 Muga is crafted in a characteristically modern style with dominant black fruit aromas, but with sufficient oak character, both spicy French and coco-nutty American so that the wine remains decidedly Spanish in style. On the palate it is dry and fullish, with juicy acid, generous but not exaggerated alcohol and rather highly extra-cted, firm tannins. This wine needs another 2-4 years to reach its peak and should drink nicely from 2010-2016.  
Score - 90. (John Szabo M.S., Wine Access 'First In Line E-Report', April 12, 2008) 

177345    (D)            750 mL    $23.95   

Alvaro Palacios aims to recreate a nearly disappeared lower Rioja style that is characterized by a much greater Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) presence, resulting in less dense but very authentic versions.

TASTING NOTE: Exotic, reflective strawberry and tea notes open this lighter-bodied, not-so-serious Rioja. Next in line is a mouthfilling blend of blackberry and cassis, but with ample acidity so that it avoids any weighty pitfalls. Finishes soft, with a swath of oaky vanilla flavor. Drink this 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha now and over the next 18 months.  Score - 88. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, June 1, 2008) 

674564    (XD)            750 mL    $16.95   

Riojan Gran Reservas are only made in the very best years. The wines must spend two years in oak and another three in bottle before they can leave the bodegas. This 17-year-old wine has clearly had much more time in the bodegas than the rules dictate. The wonderful advantage of a wine such as this is that the winery has done all the ageing for you, resulting in an excellent opportunity to try a fully mature wine without having to cellar it yourself. Another ad-vantage is that these wines are frequently attractively priced so you won't need to take out a second mortgage to buy it.

TORRES SALMOS  2005
DOCa Priorat  

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Salmos is composed of Garnacha, Syrah, Carinena, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 9 months in new French oak. Dark crimson-colored, it offers up an aromatic array of slate, garrigue, lavender, cedar, black cherry, and blueberry. Full-bodied, sweetly-fruited, with excellent depth and breadth, this outstanding Priorat will provide much pleasure over the next 8-10 years.  Score - 91. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2008) 

060772    (XD)            750 mL    $32.95   

EMINA PRESTIGIO  2005
DO Ribera del Duero  

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Prestigio was aged for 16 months in French Allier barrels. Inky purple, it offers an enticing bouquet of cedar, clove, dried black fruits, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. A bit more opulent and concentrated than its younger peer, it has the stuffing to blossom for another 2-3 years and should drink well through 2020. Bodega Emina sources its fruit from the Valdebaniego and Horno vineyards in Valbuena de Duero. Each of these wines is 100% Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo.  Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2008) 

067066    (XD)            750 mL    $24.95   

A blend of Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, Cariñena and Cabernet Sauvignon, this fine Gran Reserva is just approaching its prime drinking window. Featuring dried plum, raspberry, leather and vanilla aromas and flavours, this wine is clearly being released now to take advantage of its near-perfect maturity. Enjoy it with braised beef dishes, or it will still reward 2-5 years in a cellar.

The wine is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Garnacha (Grenache). This modern-styled wine is ideal for barbecued steaks prepared with only olive oil, salt and pepper. Aromas are classic, including blackberry, cherry and pepper. It is dry, round, supple and ripe.

Made with 100% Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvèdre), this wine exhibits aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, root beer and espresso. It is rich, ripe and very concentrated. Robert Parker Jr. awarded the 2002, 2003 and 2004 vintages scores of 90 or above. Parker's Spanish expert, Jay Miller, gave the 2005 a score of 90+. The 2006 vintage has not yet been reviewed, but expect more of the same. Cellar this 3-5 years or enjoy it tonight with rare roast beef or lamb.

Mas Collet is a blend containing two different clones of Garnacha (Grenache), as well as Cariñena, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the Garnacha clones is called the Catalan (Garnacha del Pais), believed to be indigenous to Spain, which thrives in the Montsant terroir. The other is the Grenache from the Rhône Valley (Garnacha Peluda), imported to Spain after the devastation of the Spanish vineyards by the phylloxera louse; it brings structure to the wine. The other grapes all add their own specialty tocreate a cherry-, blueberry- and toast-scented wine that isperfectly balanced on the palate by ripe tannins. Enjoy with grilled lamb, rabbit, cassoulet or ratatouille.

Made by Artazu's brilliant wine- maker, Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle, this 100% old vine Garnacha (Grenache) is a perennial favourite of Parker's Wine Advocate. This vintage received a score of 88 from Parker's Spanish specialist, Jay Miller, but he did not publish a review. Look for an elegant wine featuring raspberry, cherry and plum aromas and flavours. It is beautifully textured and has a long finish. Age it 1-2 years or enjoy it tonight with osso buco.

New at VINTAGES
PIEDRA AZUL  2005
DO Toro  
(Bodegas Estancia Piedra)

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Azul is an outstanding value, one of the best in my Spanish tastings. Made from 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and aged in stainless steel, this dark ruby-colored wine offers a peppery, spicy, fruity nose, lots of crunchy red fruit flavors, and ripe tannins leading to a surprisingly long, pure finish. Drink this easygoing effort over the next 1-3 years. Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)

082214    (D)            750 mL    $15.95   

Made with the Muscat of Alexandria grape, Torres' Moscatel Oro is a voluptuously scented, concentrateddessert wine that would match fruit tarts, crème caramel, puddings, dried fruit or nuts. A multi-award winner,including a Gold Medal at the 2005 Muscats du Monde, expect aromas and flavours that recall orange blossom, honey, candied orange, lemon peel, raisins, floral (rose, lily) and spice (tobacco leaf, rosewood, clove).