2008 Bodegas Emilio Moro Resalso (Ribera del Duero) 11.99

In February, David Espinar, Winery Director for Bodegas Emilio Moro was here in Tarpon Springs to conduct a dinner with B-21. The #1 selling wine that evening was Emilio Moro’s value-priced 2007 Resalso! Why? It’s a great wine that is affordable and ready to drink. We quickly sold out of the 2007 but just received the already-well-reviewed 2008. Both Steve Rayman and I tasted the 2008 and we agree; it’s rockin’! Made with 100% Tempranillo (or Tinta del Pais), its has great black fruit aromas which lead to a medium to full bodied wine with intense blackberry fruits and hints of dark chocolate espresso beans. ¡Delicioso!

90 Points, Summer Martin
Staff Selection, July 2010

Additional Score:  90 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

2009 Bodegas Shaya Shaya (Rueda) $13.99

“My favorite month is here (my name was no coincidence), and to celebrate I plan on eating lots of fresh seafood. After all I live in Florida right? Its time for a white wine and Verdejo has been calling my name. Shaya is a new project from the dynamic duo of Juan Gil and Jorge Ordonez. It is absolutely delicious. Besides the obvious hints of melon and apple, it reminded me of the Jamaican Grapefruit that I ate on vacation this May. If you’ve never tried one, it tastes like a heavenly mix of a orange, kiwi and grapefruit, similar to the flavors I picked up in the Shaya Verdejo. Shaya is refreshing, crisp and dry and a perfect match to ceviche!”

90 Points, Summer Martin
Staff Selection, June 2010

Also:  91 Points, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

2005 Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Crianza (Rioja) $11.99

“Ramon Bilbao’s winemaker, Rodolfo Bastida, is making waves in Rioja not only by producing great wines, but also for introducing new technologies in winemaking at a traditional old world winery in Rioja. Bastida’s 2005 Crianza is so yummy! It starts off with a nose of black fruits and berries which follow through on the palate. Very ripe fruit flavors with a velvety texture. It has a great essence of chocolate that “had me at hello” with its dark chocolate covered cherry flavors. It’s a big delicious jammy red that is drinking beautifully right now.”

90 Points, Summer Martin
Staff Selection, May 2010

2006 Viña Zaco (Rioja, Spain) $11.99 90 Points from Wine Spectator and a Top 100 Wine of 2009

“Bodegas Bilbanias in Rioja takes a very similar approach to making wine as Emilio Moro in Ribera del Duero in the fact that they don’t label wines Crianza or Reserva because they spend “x” amount of time in barrel. Rather, they release the wine when they feel the wine is ready, be it 11 months or 18 months, in true artisan style. They are the rebels of Rioja going against the system, and it seems to be paying off. Their 2006 Vina Zaco made it into the Top 100 Wines of 2009 by the Wine Spectator with a whopping 90 point score, and I figured it was time I gave this wine a chance, so I popped a bottle. True Tempranillo in style with great fruit, beautiful blackberry and hints of licorice. The more it sat in the glass it really opened up showing hints of vanilla, a touch of spice, and ended with nice tannins. Top 100 or not…that’s for Spectator choose, but for me it definitely deserves a place on my wine rack, and so it has one. For a Rioja under $12, you can’t beat it.”

89+ Points, Summer Martin
Staff Selection, April 2010

2007 Bodegas Atalaya (Almansa) - 12.99

“Juan Gil is one of my favorite wineries, so when I heard they were in cahoots with the King of Spanish Wine, Mr. Jorge Ordonez, I knew only good things could come of it. This project in its very inception is already turning heads (91WA, 90ST) with the 2007 (their first vintage). Made mainly of Monastrell and Garnacha, Atalaya is a big red wine full of depth and complexity yet smooth and readily approachable. On the nose I get black fruits, spice and a little smoke. On the palate it is full-bodied and rich. It should pair perfectly with red meats be it a grilled filet or a juicy burger. This is a wine to watch!”

90 Points, Summer Martin
Staff Selection, March 2010

2007 Black Slate (17.99 on sale) - 91 Points, The Wine Advocate

“New Spanish wines are popping up every day, each of them flaunting a score over 90 points and flashing a fancy new label. What makes the 2007 Black Slate different, is simple. It has pedigree. This isn’t the brain child of an unexperienced businessman trying to start a winery with wikipedia’s guide to viticulture. Winemaker Joan Sangenis was born and raised in Porerra, a tiny village in Priorat. His family has been making wine for 200 years. Joan himself got hands on experience at the bodegas of Alvaro Palacios and René Barbier. In 1996 he jumped at the chance to renovate his parent’s old bodega and begin “Celler Cal Pla” also known for their Mas d’en Compte wines that have achieved high Parker praise. With vines 60-100 years of age, this new project is the inspiration of Burgundian nomenclature, hence the reference to it being a village appellation on the label. It is hard enough to find a wine from Priorat under $40 much less under $20.”

90 Points, Summer Martin
February 2010

2007 Mestizaje ($13.99 or 12.59 by the case!)

On a daily basis I have to tell my 4 year-old, “Try it, you might like it.” Why are we so hesitant to try new things? If you don’t try new wines you’ll never know if you like them. The Bobal grape was originally produced for bulk wines for its rich color and acidity. Known as the “Black Sheep” of Spanish grapes, it’s been underappreciated for the quality of wine it truly could produce. Finally, wineries like Bodegas Mustiguillo are giving Bobal serious attention and producing some outstanding wine. The 2007 Mestizaje is exactly what the name suggests, “a mix of European” grapes with 70% Bobal and the rest Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is smooth and
complex with layers of dark fruits, blackberries and dark chocolate and spice. It’d be great with burgers or steak. For those of you who liked the 2006 Mestizaje, you’ll love the 2007. For those of you who weren’t sure, or haven’t tried it, I urge you to step out of your box. You may just realize you love it! “Don’t be a Boba (Eng. – dunce), try Mestizaje.

90 Points, Summer Martin
January 2010

2008 Borsao Tres Picos ($13.99)

Tres Picos is that good ol’ friend that delivers, over and over again.  Both the 2004 and 2005 made it into Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, and there’s no doubt in my mind, the 2008 should be there.  But, taking away its scores and its fame from importer Jorge Ordonez, what do you have?  A darn good wine.  On the nose it shows off red fruit and black peppercorn.  The palate is big and juicy and sneaks in seductive layers of raspberry and blackberry pie with notes of chocolate and spice.

Stephen Tanzer from the International Wine Cellar recently tasted it scoring it 91Pts. saying its, ‘as ridiculous a value as one can find these days.’  This is what I like to call a no-brainer.

- 90 Points, Summer Martin, Email: summer@b-21.com, Direct #: (727) 722-9106