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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:
$94.68
$105.20
Ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite. Refined notes of balsamic fruit and...
750ml
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$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
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$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:
$55.90
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:
$14.25
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
Bottle:
$22.00
12 bottles:
$21.56
Aromas of black currant, cherry liqueur and herbes de Provence set the stage for flavors of dark plum, blackberry,...
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
Bottle:
$31.94
12 bottles:
$31.30
Blueberries, espresso, cedar, dark plums and vanilla on the nose. Full-bodied, compact and inky, with firm tannins...
Kerner Mavrodaphne Red Blend Tempranillo Spain Castilla Y Leon Ribera del Duero
In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.
Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.
Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.
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?
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.