Baltasar Tempranillo Vinas Viejas 2004

Just a quick note on this one, no time for chit chat today.  A rustic Tempranillo from Calatayud.

Really quite dark, not black but a very dark purple.  The nose is full of plum fruit jubes, dark cherries, hints of roses, light pepper and liquorice.  Full throttle in the mouth, I'm not sure how they got all this fruit in here.  But its savory fruit and overall the wine shows great balance.  The palate mirrors the nose of for the most part, the finish is long with subtle tannins.  A really enjoyable winter drink.  88 Pts.

Source:  Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $25 Closure: Conventional Cork 

Bodegas San Alejandro Baltasar Garnacha Viñas Viejas 2004

Last year I had a look at the 2003 of this wine and made some comment about the 2004 being a bit of a step up.  Well it looks like I was right, there is a load of character and flavour here.  Imported wines really need to deliver in Australia due to the large taxes imposed on them.  I think you get a lot for your money with this wine.

I do prefer this style of garnarcha or grenache. Its very dry and full of concentrated flavours, while not jammy or over-ripe.  While we have some great old vine grenache based wines here in Aus, there are some real shockers that could learn a thing or two from these guys.

Deep red with a ruby edge.  Aromas of creme de cassis, earth, raspberry, sarsaparilla, cinnamon and coffee. Cool and clam in the mouth with some powdery, chalky tannins and zingy acid.  Plum, blueberries and raspberries on the palate with a hint of tar, minerals and herbs.  The finish is a bit short, but its not the end of the world.  89 Pts.

Source:  Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $25 Closure: Conventional Cork  

Bodegas San Alejandro Baltasar Garnacha VV 2003

If you read eBob at all, you will have heard of this wine and its stable mate the Las Rocas.  BBB and his grenache loving followers have been crowing about the 2001 vintage of this wine for years now, Bob gave it 93 points.  Not bad for an 12 Euro wine.  Jancis Robinson is also on board, sprooking the 02 as one of the great value wines from Spain.  The 02 and 03 apparently are a slight step down in complexity, but the 03 at least is still a mighty fine wine.  The 04 is apparently a repeat performance of 01, one to watch out for if you like a good garnacha or a southern Rhone now and then.

Bodegas San Alejandro is a co-op in D.O. Calatayud.  The vines are 70-100 years old, truly earning their vinas viejas title.  The wine sees 10 months in oak, with only 10% of that being new oak.  If you grab a bottle of this, have a look at the quality of the cork, it is outstanding, one of the best corks I've seen.

The wine comes up as a bright cherry colour in the decanter and reveals slightly muted aromas of light cherry, minerals and lavender.  After an hour or so, the nose builds some extra intensity.  Very smooth and easy to drink. If you are used to low acid grenache your in for a shock, there is a lot of acid here which allows it to work every well with food.  There is sweat fruit in the mouth, red cherry, with some minerals and woody herbs.  The finish shows some light, soft tannins.  At $25 its good value.  88 Pts.

Source: Winestar Price: $25 Closure: Conventional Cork