sundaynfl Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 2003 Bodegas Castano Solanera Yecla Vinas Viejas 8.99 to 11.99 A Monastrell ( a local Spanish grape) and Cab blend... It's been a while since I have had this wine, but it always seems to be an exceptional value from year to year. It has a great nose of blackberry jam and saddle lather. The tip of your tongue and mid palate is coated with blackberries with a bit of dark chocolate and broad tannins that give a smooth and silky finish. I find my tongue searching for blackberry seeds stuck in my teeth! Not as complex as the 98 Remeriz de Ganuza, Reserva (Rioja)we had with dinner tonight (Pimientos Rellenos: Small red peppers stuffed with minced elk tenderloin, then dipped in batter, fried & cooked in a wine & tomato sauce.) But it was a nice wien for after dinner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 2003 Bodegas Castano Solanera Yecla Vinas Viejas 8.99 to 11.99 A Monastrell ( a local Spanish grape) and Cab blend... It should be noted that Monastreil is Spanish for Mourvedre which is a grape used in many of the better Chateau Neuf du Papes and Bandols. Just in case you care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 It should be noted that Monastreil is Spanish for Mourvedre which is a grape used in many of the better Chateau Neuf du Papes and Bandols. Just in case you care. IMO, some of the best Mourvedre wine produced in the US comes out of El Dorado County which is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in CA. My favorite is from Mount Aukum Winery. This region is known for producing outstanding Barbera, Charbono, Tempranillo, Malbec, and Sangiovese to name a few. Just in case you care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 It should be noted that Monastreil is Spanish for Mourvedre which is a grape used in many of the better Chateau Neuf du Papes and Bandols. Just in case you care. I was going to look up and see what kind of grape Monastreil was but nevermind. Thanks Det. For those wanting to know how to pronounce it... Moor VAY Druh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 2003 Bodegas Castano Solanera Yecla Vinas Viejas 8.99 to 11.99 A Monastrell ( a local Spanish grape) and Cab blend... It's been a while since I have had this wine, but it always seems to be an exceptional value from year to year. It has a great nose of blackberry jam and saddle lather. The tip of your tongue and mid palate is coated with blackberries with a bit of dark chocolate and broad tannins that give a smooth and silky finish. I find my tongue searching for blackberry seeds stuck in my teeth! funny, i've had a couple bottles of that exact wine in the last month or so. in fact, i brought a bottle with me up to bier's place in breck a few weeks ago. i've been shopping in the spanish aisle a LOT lately at applejack. a lot of really nice wines and CHEAP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 IMO, some of the best Mourvedre wine produced in the US comes out of El Dorado County which is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in CA. My favorite is from Mount Aukum Winery. This region is known for producing outstanding Barbera, Charbono, Tempranillo, Malbec, and Sangiovese to name a few. Just in case you care. In the US, it is often called Mataro. As for Spanish wines in general, to echo Azz's point, they're among the best values going in wine and over-deliver at most price points. If you want a lot of juice on the cheap like the wine that started this thread, there's plenty like it in the form of cheap tempranillo, garnacha, bierzo, and others. If you're prepared to spend a bit more ($12-$20 retail), you'll be rewarded for the type of quality that typically costs twice as much in other areas of the world. Look for Priorat (wines from the NE made from Cabernet and Garnacha), Crianza and Riserva level Riojas (which range in style to being dead ringers for great pinot noir to slick new world style with plenty of oak for lovers of CA Cabs, to rustic old-world style laden with nuance and earthy qualities). Actually, there's a mountain of good Spanish wine at this price point. At the top end, the wines can be insanely good and would rival the great wines of any other part of the world that are often probitively expensive. $30-$40 a bottle retail often delivers very rare offerings from 120+ year old vines that can be as spectacular as Grand Cru Burgundy, 1st Growth Bordeaux, or Cult Cabs. Whites are no exception and can provide some very good summer drinks. Albarino matches the sultry texture and floral qualities of Viognier with the lively acidity that Vio often lacks. Txakotli (sp?) pronounced "chocolly" is a briney, barely sparkling wine from the Basque coast that will remind you of a Muscadet. Lastly, Ruedas are one of those wines that can either be surprisingly tasty when cheap or very impressive at the next price point up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgaddis Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 You guys crack me up...I don't understand a damn thing in this thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 You guys crack me up...I don't understand a damn thing in this thread! That's the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 funny, i've had a couple bottles of that exact wine in the last month or so. in fact, i brought a bottle with me up to bier's place in breck a few weeks ago. i've been shopping in the spanish aisle a LOT lately at applejack. a lot of really nice wines and CHEAP it sounded familiar......... i vaguely remember dark berry and some spice. but it's been a little while and we had several diff bottles that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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