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750ml
Bottle:
$67.94
Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal...
750ml
Bottle:
$249.94
Expressive and intense, this impressive red marries elegance and power, delivering rich flavors of blackberry,...
750ml
Bottle:
$95.94
$105.20
Ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite. Refined notes of balsamic fruit and...
750ml
Bottle:
$21.93
12 bottles:
$21.49
A deep nose full of black and purple fruit, iodine, stones, sage and hedgerow. Full-bodied and broad on the palate...
750ml
Bottle:
$25.94
$26.80
12 bottles:
$25.42
The grapes for Arano come from our own vineyards in Moradillo de Roa (Burgos) of more than 20 years old. 9 hectares...
750ml
Bottle:
$22.93
$24.60
This deep-garnet-colored wine features a bouquet of purple plum, roasted fennel bulb and flint. Flavors of blackberry...
750ml
Bottle:
$117.93
$119.80
Quite a mineral Gran Reserva expression with wet stones and hints of sweet spices to the minty plums and cherries....
750ml
Bottle:
$19.92
$20.80
12 bottles:
$19.76
Clean and bright dark cherry in color, this wine has a multitude of differentiated nuances on the nose, intertwining...
750ml
Bottle:
$56.92
Lots of vanilla extract and minty oak to the creamy blackberries, Spanish chocolate and cinnamon spices. Juicy and...
750ml
Bottle:
$64.94
12 bottles:
$63.64
Ribera benefited from regular seasons and a very cold winter in 2018, according to Xavier Ausàs, which is why he's...
750ml
Bottle:
$17.11
$18.00
12 bottles:
$14.64
A balanced, medium-bodied red, with baked black plum and cherry fruit layered with light tannins and hints of herbs,...
750ml
Bottle:
$16.56
$18.40
12 bottles:
$14.64
High intensity cherry-red cherry color with purple notes in the border. Aromatic complexity where we find floral...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$84.49
Tasted once again, the second vintage of the red 2019 Tinto comes from a warm and dry year when they used larger...
750ml
Bottle:
$19.93
12 bottles:
$19.53
A lovely brightness and juiciness to this with cherry, spice, and crushed stone. Some tar. Medium-bodied with chewy...
750ml
Bottle:
$88.07
3 bottles:
$83.99
1958 is the year the small plot of Los Hoyales was planted, 1.8 hectares of old Tempranillo vines oriented from east...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$35.60
A fresh and polished red with cherry and blueberry character and floral undertones. Medium to full body with fine...
750ml
Bottle:
$69.94
12 bottles:
$68.54
Tobacco, mocha, morello cherry and floral nose. Big and delicious in the mouth with a marked oak character and a long...
750ml
Bottle:
$22.89
A savory, full-bodied red with olives, blackcurrants, grilled herbs, toast and anchovies on the nose. Gently chewy...
Assyrtiko Grenache Italian Red Blends Tempranillo Spain Castilla Y Leon Ribera del Duero
Cultivated since at least the middle of the Byzantine era, the Assyrtiko grape is generally considered to be one the finest of the Greek grape varietals, as a result of its multi-purpose properties and ability to flourish on a wide range of terrains. The ancient Byzantines used it in conjunction with Aidani and Athiri grapes for the production of their unusual and naturally sweet Vinsanto wines, which are still produced today in Santorini, and continue to be popular. However, the Assyrtiko grapes are used for many different AOC wines across Greece, and are favored by wine makers who want to maintain a dryness and acidic punch to their produce.
The Assyrtiko grapes are renowned for their ability to maintain their acidity as they ripen beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun, resulting in wines which have a distinctive dryness and a range of citrus fruit aromas, as well as great structure and high tannins. Often, Assyrtiko grapes will produce wines which leave an unusual after-taste reminiscent of the mineral rich, volcanic soils they are grown in on the slopes of Santorini, making them a favorite for wine drinkers looking for something full of character and interesting attributes. The past twenty five years have seen Assyrtiko vines planted all over the Greek mainland, and even in Attica and Macedonia, where the softer terrain often produces more fruit forward wines with a milder, less astringent character. However, wherever this fine grape varietal is grown, it is rare the results will be anything less than excellent.
Additional Information on Greek Wines
Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?
The purple skinned grapes of the Grenache varietal have quickly become one of the most widely planted red wine grapes in the world, flourishing in several countries which have the correct conditions in which they can grow to ripeness. They thrive anywhere with a dry, hot climate, such as that found in central Spain and other such arid areas, and produce delightfully light bodied wines full of spicy flavors and notes of dark berries. Their robustness and relative vigor has led them being a favorite grape varietal for wineries all over the world, and whilst it isn't uncommon to see bottles made from this varietal alone, they are also regularly used as a blending grape due to their high sugar content and ability to produce wines containing a relatively high level of alcohol.
There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.
Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.
The ancient, arid and beautiful region of Castilla y Leon is the largest in Spain, and amongst the largest single 'regions' in any country of Europe. It has been famed throughout the centuries for its architecture, its people, its art and literature, and not least for its characterful and flavorful wines, which capture the beating heart and passion of Spain and Spanish culture. Castilla y Leon is essentially a vast plateau, and is extremely dry, with a poor soil structure which one might think would make viticulture difficult, if not impossible. However, Castilla y Leon has plenty of native grape varietals which are able to stretch their roots deep underground, to tap into the moisture and minerals which can be found there.
Some experts claim that centrally-located Ribera del Duero, Spain's fastest growing wine region, has the greatest potential for memorable red wines. These are largely inspired by the revered Vega Sicilia, an estate producer whose dark Tempranillo wines are balanced with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. For one hundred years Vega Sicilia has taken Spanish tradition to the extreme, growing highly concentrated grapes and aging wines ten years in cask and sometimes more in bottle before releasing exquisite, expensive wines that still benefit from cellar aging. Like slightly smaller versions of Vega Sicilia, other Ribera del Duero Tempranillos are tannic and long-lived, usually inky and massive, with complicated aromas of chocolate, plums and smoke. French varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec are joining the native varietals. White Ribera del Duero uses the indigenous varietal Albillo.