4 more Spaniards...

[Drew]

2004 Portal Roble. 20% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot,Tempranillo and Syrah. Deeply colored with a hugh nose of ripe dark berry and mineral. Like flavors that are deep and rich with hints of port and semi-sweet dark chocolate, full bodied. Tons of dusty tannins hit you on the looong finish. Me thinks you put a few years on this to subdue some of the finishing tannins and it'll be a beauty. 13.5% Alc/vol. $15

2004 Prima (Toro) 100% Tinto Fino. A hugh, powerful wine showing black fruit, earth, mineral and spice. Lots of fine tannins and a little heat on the long finish. A little too big for food but a nice sipper in the winter by a fire. 14.8% Alc/vol. $18

2004 Bodegas Vizcarra Roble, 100% Tempranillo. This is my top pick of the four. Very elegant and balanced. Dark and red fruit with hints of leather, clay and vanilla. One of the best food wines I've come across in a while...very polished. 13.5% Alc/vol. $17
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2005 Ludovicus 35% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 25% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark fruit and black cherry flavors. Medium to full bodied with a touch of spice. Very inviting wine, nice balance. Great QPR. 13.5% Alc/vol. $10

I stopped in Midway Liquors yesterday and tasted these with the wine manager, and friend, Tom. I tasted through 8 different wines, all Spaniards, and while all were nice, these stuck out and I bought a mixed case with a 15% discount. All but the Prima are Ole Imports. Lots of good stuff from Ole.

Drew

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 06-11-2006).]

[brappy]

Drew, I'm going to taste a couple of these this evening..... plus some. A couple others from Ole Imports are in the line-up. I'll let you know my impressions.

mark