Tuesday, June 8, 2010 - 06:30 PM
This Event has been read: 2250 times.
"We are born at a given moment, in a given place and, like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more." Carl Jung
Tower Club Spanish Wine Tasting
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
6:30 PM
Spain could have been called a sleeping giant in the last century but since it has awoken over the last few decades it has been making up for lost time and there are more values coming out of this country than any other in western Europe today. There are a lot of small importers in the US that are bringing in outstanding small production wines that are unique and offer lots of value for the $$. Tonight we have three suppliers that will be covering different regions of Spain. This country is so big that we will not be able to cover all of Spain or even close to it in one evening, with wines like Cava in Penedes and Sherry in Jerez will not even be on the table tonight.
The first and one of most exciting region of Spain today is the Priorat. We have Anthony Pannone from the FWC (Florida Wine Company) in the house representing the wines of Eric Solomon one of the top sources of wines from this region in the U.S. I spent a few weeks in Spain in 1992 with Eric and the Priorat is one of the most memorable parts of this trip.
On Table two we have Antonio Gomez-Orodea from Terrespania, a small company that specializes in high quality Spanish wines. I remember the first time I tasted this distributor’s wines, I looked over to Antonio , and said "Wines like this are the reason that I get out of bed in the morning"! Antonio will be representing the wines of Rueda, one of the best areas in Spain for whites located an hour north of Madrid.
On table three we have Craig Elliott showing wines from Augustan Wine Imports. Craig will be representing the wines from Ribera Del Duero one of the most famous wine regions of Spain where the Tempranillo grape reigns supreme. We have had a lot of great vintages for these two areas through the first decade of the 21st century.
The national award-winning Tower Club offers a progressive take on the private club tradition. At the center of Fort Lauderdale's business and financial district, the club provides a private haven for professionals from an extensive list of industries. World-class cuisine, superb personalized service and a gracious environment for entertaining are enhanced by breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Fort Lauderdale skyline. The Tower Club is one of nearly 200 clubs worldwide owned and operated by ClubCorp, the largest operator of private clubs in the world.
Wine Watch is the host of the Tower Club's regular wine tastings and although the events are not open to the public, as a customer of the Wine Watch you may attend the events.
Tasting Only
6:30 - 7:30 pm
$35.00 per person plus tax
Reservations must be made by calling Wine Watch, 954-523-9463
Dinner Only
7:30 pm
$45 per person plus tax
Reservations must be made by calling Jessica @ the Tower Club, 954-764-8550, ext.230
Seating is limited. Cancellations for the dinner must be made within 48 hours of the event to avoid being billed for the event.
First Course
Corn, Tortilla and Black Bean Soup
Second Course
Octopus Pasta Salad
Third Course
Maltese Game Hens with Red Wine and Honey Gravy.
Eggplant, Potato and Pepper Casserole
Forth Course
Handmade Nougat Ice Cream
Wines for Tasting
The Priorat by Anthony Pannone from the Florida Wine Company
2007 Celler de l'Encastell Marge
Price: $29.50 Sale $25.96 Case $301
(90 Points) The 2007 Marge is the entry level wine from Raimon Castellvi, owner and winemaker of Roquers de Porrera. Marge is the local name for the stone walls made of slate taken from the Priorat vineyards. It is a blend of 60% Garnacha, 14% Syrah, 13% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for eight months in French and American oak. The wine is a glass-coating opaque purple with legs that ooze down the glass. The brooding nose reveals crushed stone, spice box, violets, tar, black cherry, and blueberry. This is followed by a dense, rich, structured Priorat with 1-2 years of aging potential. Drink it through 2017.
2006 Celler Cal Pla Mas d'en Compte Tinto
Price: $23.50 Sale $20.68 Case $240
(90 Points) The purple-colored 2006 Mas d’En Compte Tinto, a blend of 50% Garnacha, 40% Carinena, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, was aged for 14 months in new French and American oak. It reveals a bouquet of toasty oak, pencil lead, lavender, spice box, and black cherry. Firm and structured on the palate, it is very tasty in a straightforward manner. It can be enjoyed over the next eight years. Wine Advocate # 183, Jun 2009
2006 Bodegas Mas Alta Artigas
Price: $45 Sale $39.60 Case $459
The blend is mainly made up of grenache, carignan and cabernet. The authentic nature of the regions chosen for the young plantings and the daily efforts of our wine growers make Artigas a genuine and delightful invitation to enjoy our vision of Priorat. Artigas is a vintage from vines that are mainly between 10 - 35 years old. Some of the carignan vines are even 90 years old! 80% of the grapes are produced in Bodegas Mas Alta’s own vineyard. The rest come from rented or purchased vines.
2006 Celler del Pont Lo Givot
Price: $35 Sale $30.80 Sale $357
Celler del Pont is a garage wine made by Montse Nadal, a professor of oenology whose specialty is the terroir of Priorat.
2004 Celler de l'Encastell Roquers de Porrera
Price: $56.25 Sale $49.50 Sale $574
(94 Points) The 2004 Roquers de Porrera is 40% Garnacha, 40% Carinena, 7% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Syrah aged for 16 months in used French oak. Inky purple, the wine offers up complex aromas of crushed stone, lead pencil, black cherry, and black currant. On the palate, the wine is forward with layers of tangy black fruits, a plush texture, ripe sweet fruit, well-concealed tannins, and a long finish. Drink this splendid effort over the next 10-12 years. Wine Advocate # 169, Feb 2007
Rueda and Valdeorras - Spanish Whites by Antonio from Terrespania
Bodegas Pedro Escudero Valdelainos 2009
Price: $14 Sale $12.32
(87 Points) The 2009 Valdelainos is 100% Verdejo raised in stainless steel with several weeks of lees contact. Medium straw-colored with an enticing perfume of baking spices, spring flowers, and apricot, on the palate it is crisp, focused, and vibrant with plenty of spicy fruit and good length. Bodegas Pedro Escudero Platon-s two Verdejo offerings are both very good values. Wine Advocate # 188, Apr 2010
Bodegas Jose Pariente Verdejo 2009
Price: $21.75 Sale $19.14
(88 Points) The 2009 Jose Pariente Verdejo had brief lees contact. Medium straw-colored, it emits a pleasing perfume of baking spices, nutmeg, spring flowers, and pit fruits. Creamy-textured with good grip in the mouth, it has plenty of spicy, savory fruit, lively acidity, and a medium-long finish. Drink it over the next 12-18 months. eRobertParker.com # 188, Apr 2010
Bodegas Jose Pariente Jose Pariente Barrel Fermented 2006
Price: $36 Sale $31.68
This wine is made with 10% verdejo grapes which come from the oldest vineyard located in the most characteristic area in Rueda, formed by layers of quartzite boulders. The vines are traditional bush vines with an approximate yield of 4,000 KG/hectar.
Bodegas Pedro Escudero Fuente Milano 2009
Price: $11 Sale $9.68
For several generations now, the Escudero family has been the heir to a line of winegrowers who are enthusiasts of their land, customs and traditions regarding the cultivation of the vines. The family owns a vineyard planded with 32 hectares of Verdejo and 2 hectares of Viura. The name of the vineyard is "Fuente Elvira" and the soil, which consists of gravel and sand over a red clay sub-soil, has some of the most highly regarded soils in the Rueda district.
Tempestad Godello Valdeorras 2009
Price: $21 Sale $18.48
(91 Points) Bodegas Abanico’s 2009 Tempestad Godello reflects the outstanding character of the 2009 vintage in Valdeorras. Medium straw-colored, a super-expressive perfume of baking spices, peach, and fruit cocktail leaps from the glass of this intense effort. Rich, concentrated, and with serious depth, this dry, creamy, savory offering has exceptional length and should drink well for another 3-4 years. Wine Advocate # 188, Apr 2010
Ribera Del Duero - Craig Elliot Augustan Wine Imports
Atalayas De Golban Ribera Del Duero 2006
Price: $19.25 Sale $16.94
Old Vine Tempranillo, 14mths 2nd & 3rd passage French oak barrels (88+ Points) Wine Advocate # 181, Feb 2009
Dominio de Atauta Ribera Del Duero 2006
Price: $31.50 Sale $27.72
The 2006 Dominio de Atauta was aged in 20-30% new oak. Purple-colored, it exhibits an expressive nose of mineral, violets, blackberry, and black cherry. Quite structured on the palate and in need of a minimum of 4-6 years of additional cellaring, time will tell whether this wine achieves harmony. At the moment, the tannins have the upper hand. Dominio de Atauta’s first vintage was 2000. The estate vines are 100% Tinto Fino, 90% ungrafted, with most over 60 years of age. It is farmed using biodynamic principles although it is not certified. Ungrafted 60+ year old Tempranillo Vines. 100% French oak, 20-30% new
Torremoron Tinto Ribera Del Duero 2008
Price: $11.25 Sale $9.90
(88 Points) The purple-colored 2008 Torremoron is 100% Tempranillo sourced from 80-100 year old vines and aged in stainless steel. Its attractive nose offers up spice box, incense, and black fruits. On the palate it has a bit of structure as well as plenty of savory fruit. It will provide pleasure over the next three years. 100% Tempranillo 15% Oak Wine Advocate # 181
May 2009
Vizcarra Ramos J.C. Crianza Ribera Del Duero 2005
Price: $22.50 Sale $19.80
A wine of amazing quality and purity, the 2005 J.C. Vizcarra spent nine months is French and American oak, and is made entirely with Tempranillo. Full-bodied with creamy black cherry, cassis and a streak of red berry fruit surrounded by notes of smoky oak and minerals. Drink this with extreme pleasure over the next ten or more years. 100% Tempranillo 15mths French & American Oak 50% New
Vizcarra Ramos Roble Ribera Del Duero 2006
Price: $16.50 Sale $14.52 Case $
(90 Points) The 2006 Vizcarra Roble was aged for 6 months in French oak. Purple in color, it offers up an alluring bouquet of smoke, cedar, bacon, blueberry, and blackberry. This is followed by a round, large-scaled wine with excellent balance, some hidden silky tannin, and 3-5 years of aging potential. This superb value can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years. 100% Tempranillo Wine Advocate # 178, Aug 2008
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