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 [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[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 [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

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 [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[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.