Mantel Blanco Sauvignon Blanc 2006

So all Sauv Blanc tastes the same eh? Grassy, herbal, a touch of the ol'cat's pee. Not this one. Admittedly, this won't be putting Montana out of business anytime soon, its more of a serious food drink. Having been to the new world home of Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand, a couple of weeks ago I've got to say that's there is a whole other world out Sauv Blanc out there and this certainly proves that.

Aromas of pineapple, limes and something a bit herbal. On the palate some more pineapple and limes with some passonfruit. Really well balanced with an oily mouth feel and a wack of acid. Quite long finish that tapers off nicely.  Not something that everyone will get, but if you like something a bit off beat give this a go. Also an excellent wine for Thai. 87 Pts.

Descendientes de José Palacios Corullón 2005

I've said before that this is a sleeper, and I still think its ture. Tempranillo and Garnarcha get all the big press, but well made Mencia wines are stunning and offer something quite different. I took this to an offline last week and did the blind options thing. Unfortunately people know I'm going to bring Spanish, but no one guessed that this was Mencia.  In fact most people had never heard of it. But besides being a great options wine, its an excellent wine in its own right.  Whenever someone asks me for a suggestion for something a bit different but great, this is the wine that comes to mind time after time. A bit of a price rise on this one too.

Its's open and going right from the start, seriously great fruit  here: blackcurrent, blueberry and subtle cherry loaded up with earthy notes, a bit of mocha and violets.  Oooh, those tannins are bloody good. I always love the fleshy tannins in this wine, they give the wine a texture that takes it to another level. Balanced and very long on the finish.  The palate shows blackberry and blueberry fruit with roasted coconut, sage, mocha and minerals.  More minerals on the finish.  A spanking wine that I just want more of. A monty for the cellar, drink from 2011. 94+ Pts

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $115 Closure: Conventional Cork

Other vintages: 2003, 2004 

Vilarnau Brut Rosado NV

Bready with notes of lemon, apple and strawberry.  Creamy and fresh with a touch of sweetness, the acid is more of a background player here but there is enough to keep things moving. Strawberries and cream on the palate with a bit of apple, raspberry and light herbs. A bit short, but with notes of sherbet on the finish. Really nice with a mushroom and truffle oil omelette, but it'd do well without food too. 86 Pts.

Telmo Rodriguez Gago 2005

I had a bit of night out on Friday night (more than a bit actually) and needed something comfortable and familiar to slip into on Saturday night. I lit a fire, got some good solid cheese and decanted this around 5pm. By 8 it was ready to go. I've been thinking  about what is the best way to taste wine. A sip and spit or a long, slow glass. It depends on the wine to some extent, but I think the longer you have with the wine, the better you'll know it and the more you'll get out of it. Of course if you're tasting 6000 wines a year, there is no time for mucking around.  Luckily I don't have that problem.