Thomas Matthews’ Recommended Wines From Spain More than 750 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list of all wines tasted is available at www.winespectator.com/121509. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews using the online Wine Ratings search. Top WineS Top WineS (continued) Wine ScoRe Price Wine ScoRe Price Bodegas emilio moro ribera del duero 96 $203 mas martiNet VitiCultors Priorat Camí 93 $95 malleolus de sanchomartin 2006 Pesseroles 2006 Massive, with a brick wall of tannins sheltering complex Smoky, toasty oak aromas give way to lively fruit flavors and flavors. Remains focused despite its concentration. velvety texture, with firm underlying tannins. NumaNthia-termes toro termes 2005 96 $27 Bodega y Viñedos Castro VeNtosa Bierzo 93 $70 Austere yet alluring. Thick and tannic, with a core of black- Valtuille Cepas Centenarias 2006 berry, mineral, hoisin and graphite that’s dense and pure. Concentrated, with lavish toast, sandalwood and espresso along with spice-, mineral- and lilac-accented fruit. domiNio de PiNgus ribera del duero 2006 96 $750 Ripe fruit and lavish oak find harmony in this rich red. Polished tannins give way to a spicy finish. Top ValueS Bodegas y Viñedos o. FourNier tinta del Pais 95 $77 Wine ScoRe Price ribera del duero 2004 NumaNthia-termes toro termes 2006 93 $30 Focused and intense. Tannins are gripping, but there’s a Muscular yet expressive, with rich, ripe tannins and just velvety background and an underlying freshness. enough acidity to keep it lively. NumaNthia-termes toro termanthia 2005 95 $200 Bodegas Frutos Villar toro muruve reserva 2005 91 $20 Rich yet expressive. Bit austere now, with muscular tannins, Plush sweet raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with vanilla and but has concentration and a rock-solid structure. licorice and well-integrated tannins. NumaNthia-termes toro termanthia 2006 95 $200 Bodegas Frutos Villar toro muruve Crianza 2006 91 $16 Thick and rich, with exotic flavors of black fruit, game, dried Polished, firm and focused, with black cherry, dark chocolate, herb and hoisin. Muscular tannins keep it structured. mineral and sanguine notes and a spicy, floral finish. Bodegas sierra CaNtaBria rioja Finca 95 $162 Bodegas terra Vitis ribera del duero 91 $20 el Bosque 2006 eital reserva 2003 Dense and polished, with ripe and fresh fruit and toasty Round and rich, with good freshness. Lively and juicy, with vanilla well-integrated under big tannins. Balanced. a long spice and cedar finish. laurel Priorat 2006 94 $40 Bodegas ateCa Calatayud atteca old Vines 2007 90 $16 Lithe yet intense, with vibrant flavors and a velvety texture Toasted vanilla and smoke notes accent raspberry and black supported by ripe, well-integrated tannins. cherry fruit in this sleek red, with enough tannins for grip. Bodegas mauro Viño de la tierra de 94 $120 Bodegas BilBaiNas tempranillo rioja 90 $15 Castilla y león Vs 2004 Viña zaco 2006 Shows depth, with black plum, cola, mineral and tar along Taut and focused, with firm tannins and bright acidity with lively fruit and lavish oak. Tannins are well integrated. framing black cherry and blackberry flavors. NumaNthia-termes toro Numanthia 2005 94 $65 Bodegas ramóN BilBao rioja Crianza 90 $17 Plush texture backed by muscular tannins. Espresso, allspice limited edition 2006 and ripe black fruit, with licorice, mineral and graphite. Balanced and lively, with luscious blackberry and black cherry fruit supported by ripe tannins. Viñedos de PágaNos rioja la Nieta 2006 94 $162 Sleek, with firm tannins and Rioja’s classic leafy, minerally desCeNdieNtes de J. PalaCios Bierzo 90 $22 notes. Spicy sandalwood and coffee frame red fruit flavors. Pétalos 2007 Bodegas resalte de PeñaFiel ribera del duero 94 $87 Delivers both intensity and elegance, with boysenberry, gran 2000 mineral and licorice flavors and a perfumed finish. Aromatic of tobacco, lead pencil, licorice and floral notes. Bodegas JuaN gil Jumilla 2006 90 $16 Silky palate, with a long, alluring finish. Stylish, with deep flavors and firm tannins. Medium-bodied. Bodegas Vega siCilia ribera del duero unico 94 $440 legaris ribera del duero Crianza 2005 90 $21 gran reserva 1999 Plush texture carries ripe fruit flavors and spice notes. Elegant and fresh, with cherry, floral, vanilla and mineral Powerful yet fresh. notes that are both harmonious and intense. Bodegas y Viñedos ortega ezquerro rioja 90 $19 Bodegas laN rioja edición limitada 2006 93 $48 saxa loquuntur uno 2007 Rich, with well-integrated tannins and lively acidity. Cassis, Rich, but with enough acidity for balance. Ripe fruit, notes blackberry and currant flavors are fresh and sweet. of herb and earth weave through thick tannins. r. lóPez de heredia Viña toNdoNia rioja White 93 $49 Bodegas Valdemar rioja inspiración 2006 90 $20 Viña tondonia reserva 1990 Black cherry fruit is ripe yet crisp balanced by smoky oak, Polished brioche, chamomile and dried pear flavors. Silky, tobacco and mineral notes. Good intensity. with a haunting finish. Thomas Matthews’ Recommended Wines From Spain More than 750 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list of all wines tasted is available at www.winespectator.com/121509. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews using the online Wine Ratings search. Top ValueS (continued) Top ValueS (continued) Wine ScoRe Price Wine ScoRe Price Bodegas marqués de Vitoria rioja reserva 1998 90 $25 graNdes ViNos y Viñedos garnacha Cariñena 87 $12 Still plump and fresh, this round red offers dried cherry, to- d’aragon 2007 bacco, spice and herb. Supple, with firm underlying tannins. Expressive black cherry, licorice, pepper and floral notes show focus and some depth. Well balanced. VolVer la mancha 2007 90 $16 Beef and iron notes, with plum and prune fruit in a thick tex- Bodega iNurrieta Navarra sur 2005 87 $13 ture. A bit blunt, but with enough acidity to keep it lively. Balanced, with ripe flavors, bright acidity and a juicy finish. Garnacha and Graciano. Bodegas ateCa garnacha Calatayud de Fuego 89 $8 old Vines 2007 Bodegas luzóN Jumilla 2008 87 $9 Alluring, plush but tender, structured more by acidity than Fresh, focused and balanced. Light, firm tannins provide tannins, with raspberry, vanilla and spicy licorice notes. enough structure for food. Monastrell and Syrah. Bodegas BerCeo rioja Crianza 2004 89 $19 Bodegas de la marquesa rioja Valserrano 87 $12 Firm, and balanced, with plum, cherry, tobacco and light Crianza 2005 earthy notes. A fine companion for food. Light but firm tannins support a supple texture. Cherry, leaf and smoke flavors are clean and focused. Bodegas Borsao Campo de Borja 2008 89 $8 This ripe black cherry and boysenberry are backed by notes of romero & miller merlot-Cabernet sauvignon 87 $15 smoke, mineral and herb. Tannins are well-integrated. Navarra Casita mami Crianza 2004 Bright eucalyptus and mint notes wrap around currant and Bodegas godeVal Valdeorras Viña godeval 2007 89 $19 blackberry. Balanced, with light tannins. An intriguing mix of mineral, stone fruit and lanolin notes lend character and complexity. Focused and juicy white. ViNos JeromiN Vinos de madrid zestos 86 $10 especial 2007 Bodegas isidro milagro rioja Conde de Jauregui 88 $12 Smoke and espresso notes frame cherry, leafy and minty fla- Crianza 2005 vors. Light-structured, but has grip. Tempranillo and Syrah. Mingles chewy plum, prune, bacon and licorice, with cigar box and light herb. Bit rustic, but has depth. Bodegas NaVarro lóPez garnacha Viño de la tierra de Castilla granrojo 2007 86 $9 Bodegas muga rioja White Barrel Fermented 2008 88 $16 Bit rustic, but generous, with enough tannin to focus the fla- Bright fruit flavors of mango and lime gain depth from a light vors, and enough acidity to keep the sweet fruit in balance. touch of vanilla oak. Lovely floral note on the finish. Bodega Nekeas Cabernet sauvignon-tempranillo 86 $12 Cellers uNió terra alta Clos del Pinell red 2007 88 $8 Navarra Vega sindoa 2006 Raspberry ganache, blackberry and pomegranate are laced A cedar note weaves through cigar box, smoke and currant with thyme and spice. Open-knit, with good concentration. flavors in this dry red. Moderate finish. Bodegas 3 sueños terra alta sexto 2006 87 $13 Castillo Perelada empordà 3 Fincas Crianza 2006 86 $11 Chewy, with tangy acidity and a supple finish. Raspberry and Cigar box and sandalwood notes spice up this open-knit red. blackberry are balanced with smoke and vanilla flavors. Cariñena, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Bodegas Borsao Campo de Borja rosado 2008 87 $8 Bodegas Bleda monastrell Jumilla 85 $10 A dry rosé with bright berry and watermelon flavors, crisp Castillo de Jumilla 2008 acidity and an alluring herbal note. Very fresh. Plush, with ripe, almost roasted flavors of plum and prune, marqués de CáCeres rioja Crianza 2005 87 $16 herb and earth. Good acidity keeps the finish fresh. Ripe plum, vanilla and light tobacco flavors on a plump marqués de CáCeres rioja rosado 2008 85 $9 frame. Clean and fresh, with enough tannins for grip. Crisp and refreshing dry rosé, with lively berry flavors. CaN Feixes Penedès Blanc selecció 2008 87 $15 Bodegas JuaN gil Jumilla Wrongo dongo 2007 85 $8 Crisp white, with a smoky undertow to clean lemon zest, Round, with cherry, leaf and licorice flavors with a slightly white peach and mineral notes. dried character and rather lean tannins. Bodegas martíN Códax tempranillo rioja 87 $15 Cadelamsa spain White Pescador NV 84 $9 ergo 2006 Frothy, softly bubbly white, dry but gentle, with green apple, Fresh and accessible, with black cherry, light chocolate lime and light toast flavors. and licorice notes and light, firm tannins. Bodegas JuaN gil monastrell Jumilla 84 $8 Falset-marçà montsant Ètim selección 2006 87 $15 Wrongo dongo 2008 Cherry pie and vanilla flavors give a sweet appeal, with lively Black cherry, leaf and tobacco flavors, with light, firm tannins structure.