Vega Sindoa Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo, 2006

Vega Sindoa Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo, 2006

This red blend is produced by Bodegas Nekeas in the Navarra region of Spain. The Nekeas valley is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees and is buffeted from the winds of the Atlantic. Warm summer days and cool nights help the grapes reach full maturity on the vines. The various micro-climates of the area allow for nice conditions for numerous grape varieties including Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Grenache. This bold Spanish red has a deep garnet color. The nose is full of deep black fruit with leather and spice. On the palate are flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis, licorice and black pepper. This is a big wine with prominent tannins and nice acidity on a full bodied frame. The finish is quite long and elegant. I have found the wines from Bodegas Nekes to be totally satisfying and great values. We purchased the “big-boy", from Navarra, at Total Wine (in Phoenix, AZ) for about $10.

Tamarack Syrah Columbia Valley, 2004

Tamarack Syrah Columbia Valley, 2004

Tamarack Cellars was founded in 1998 by Ron and Jamie Coleman. This family run winery is dedicated to the production of small lot, hand-crafted wines from select vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, Rattle Snake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain and Columbia Valley appellations. The winery is located in a restored WW II fire station and barracks at the Walla Walla Airport Complex. Production began in 1998 and is currently up to 12,000 cases for the 2008 vintage. Wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, DuBrul Vineyard Reserve, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Firehouse Red.
Ron Coleman serves as winemaker and general manager. He comes to the job after a long career in the wine industry with experience in wholesale and retail sales, as a sommelier, and through cellar work for Waterbrook and Canoe Ridge wineries.
Tonight we pulled this bottle of Syrah from our wine cellar to bring to a dinner party with our good neighbors. Back in 2004, there was an extreme freeze in the Walla Walla Valley and Tamarack Cellars had to turn all their attention to making wines from grapes throughout the Columbia Valley. This Syrah has a dark ruby color and is nearly opaque. The nose is cooked black cherries and berries. On the palate there is ripe black fruit, espresso, and licorice that commingle with espresso and mocha to create a luscious and balanced wine. There is impressive concentration with smooth tannins and some pepper and mineral notes on the long finish. We enjoyed this lovely Syrah with some African Chicken/Peanut Soup and a Vegetable Cous Cous Salad. You can count on Tamarack Cellars to deliver the goods!

Rivarey Tempranillo, 2006

Rivarey Tempranillo, 2006

This is a value wine from the Rioja region of Spain. This is a Crianza, or young wine, that is meant to be enjoyed in its youth. This wine has a deep ruby color and aromas of black berry, cherry and citrus zest. This is a medium bodied wine with a modern style of fresh fruit, crisp acidity and smooth tannins. The flavors are dominated by raspberry, black plum, kiwi and holiday spice. There is no evidence of oak, but the smooth tannins are complimented by some marshmallow and black pepper. The finish is velvety and quite long. This is an excellent wine to sip with a cheese platter and some Marcona almonds. We purchased this easy drinking Tempranillo from Esquin, in Seattle, for about $9.

Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, 2007

Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, 2007

This wine is imported by Elliot Bay Distributing, of Seattle, and is one of the many great wines exported from Spain by Jorge Ordonez. He is perhaps the most influential exporter of Spanish wines to emerge in the last few decades, tapping into the quality and value of the less-traveled regions of Spain such as Toro, Campo de Borja, Montsant, and Jumilla, as well as the Ribera del Duero, Rioja, and Priorat. From the ultra-expensive to the great values he has discovered and facilitated the revival of some tremendous old-vine Grenache (Garnacha) and Tempranillo vineyards that had laid dormant or neglected for decades. As a result, there is now an amazing resurgence of Spanish wine in the international marketplace. The Tres Picos is produced form old vine Garnacha on the slopes of the Moncayo Mountains in The Campo de Borja region of Northern Spain. This vintage of Tres Picos has a dark ruby color that is nearly opaque. There is a lovely bouquet of black cherry, raspberry jam, citrus peel and violets. This wine has a lush mouth-feel with dark berry fruit, cassis, mineral notes and fine dusty tannins. This is a juicy, full bodied wine with gripping acidity and a long, fruity finish. There are some underlying spice and herbal notes that complete the package. There is no evidence of oak on the profile. We have been enjoying Tres Picos Garnacha for the past 5 vintages and the 2007 does not disappoint. This delicious modern red wine, from Spain, can be found in the Seattle are for under $15. Seek this out.