2002 Las Rocas de San Alejandro, Garnacha

[TheEngineer]

Dananne,

You guys were so right about this wine (your 2001). I saw the 2002's and purchased a 1/2 dozen just to try and have a few spares just in case.

Dark purple in color with a nose full of fruit and some wood, a bit of stemminess and a high alcohol and acid kick. It tasted like a very nice Southern Rhone wine except it wasn't like any Southern Rhone wine I've tasted...just the characteristics of it... Also the taste is rather dense...the wine is medium to full-bodied, and just very supple.

This is more like the Domaine Calvet-Thunevin Cote du Roussillon that I tasted yesterday.....except that I paid for the entire 6 pack for less than what I paid for the Calvet-Thunevin.....$7.99 a bottle.....I've got to go back for more...I've heard go things about the 2003 too......and it has gone to a plastic cork.

I had to drive to springfield for these (in addition to the remaining 2001 Daniel Vollenweider, Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Spatlese that they had)....about a 90 minute drive from my place.

[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 03-26-2005).]

[Kcwhippet]

GAD drove east to Framingham to pick up some wine. You drive out to Springfield to do the same. Now that's dedication to the sport, guys.

[winoweenie]

Heck Fire KC...I'm driving to San Diego (375 milez) to pick-up some juice. I can blade a wedge further than that lil' jaunt. WW

[Innkeeper]

Can't believe they don't have it in the Boston area. I can get in Belfast, six miles away. It's great to live in the sticks!

[TheEngineer]

I've never seen this wine anywhere in Boston....not that I've been everywhere in Boston

Had another one with Lunch today. Served with Jamon Serrano on bagette. I'm happy happy happy.

Can't believe this thing drinks so well.

[TheEngineer]

For the record...the furthest I ever gone to retrieve some wine is ......drum roll please.......

5000 miles. I order some stuff from the Okanagan which they shipped to a friend in Vancouver. Another friend picked it up and drive to his home in Washington where I picked it up from him. This was planned and not a tourist thing.

I put it into baggage on the ride home and it came out just fine.

[Kcwhippet]

Good stuff! We just got 15 cases of the 2003 in the shop, and I got to taste it for the firdt time last night.

[wondersofwine]

I haven't had the Spanish wine but I'm envious about the Vollenweider. I made a side trip from Monterey, CA to San Diego once partly to pick up two premier cru red Burgundies at Vintage Wine (but also to see my nephew).

[TheEngineer]

Actually...I was more interested in the Vollenweider than the Rocas...that was just a nice bonus!

[TheEngineer]

Still going strong. Had some with some dark Chocolate and it is nice. First night seemed a bit tight to me but needed some air time. By second night it was much better.

[dananne]

Yummy combo

[TheEngineer]

Dananne, thanks for pointing that combo out to me initially! I've kept that ever since!

[Drew]

Found some of the '03 Old Vines Las Rocas, it's bottled in a burgudy style bottle and retails for around $11. Nice but no better than the regular bottling.

Drew

[TheEngineer]

Still going good. Had with another bit of the portugese cheese (can't remember name...) that a friend brought back with him. Perhaps a bit light and more opaque and a slight lessening in the sweetness. Still a little hot at the end.