Mundo de Yuntero Organic Airen 2007

Airen is the most widely planted white variety in Spain and it has some very important uses, mainly to be distilled and used as the fortifying sprit in Sherry and as the base wine for brandy production. Plus it gets used in all sorts of industrial products. Lots of table wine also gets made from it, and to be honest most of it is rubbish that you wouldn’t serve to anyone. However, this one is the exception tat proves the rule and is quite good. Perhaps its the organic practices, or perhaps just good management.

Very light colour in the glass with a fresh nose of nettles and sweet pear. Not all that complex in the mouth, but fresh and balanced with a bit of texture. More pears in the mouth with some lemon and herbs towards the finish. The finish goes on for a bit. A good, inexpensive by the glass house wine or BBQ quaffer. 86 Pts.

Source: Broadway Liquor Distributors Price: $14 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.yuntero.com

Mundo de Yuntero Organic Tempranillo 2007

I’m told by people much smarter than I am, that some regions of Spain have a great future as producers of organic wine. Apparently its all about the climate and lack of rainfall, which keeps a lot of the nasties away and hence you don’t need to spray etc. With some regions getting less than 300mm in some years, it has a ring of truth to it.

I’m not sure if organic wine means much in the Aussie market at the moment. Certainly restaurants and supermarkets/shops that bill themselves as organic need something to sell, but is the organic factor crossed out by the food miles for imported wine?

It opens up a bit reductive, but cleans itself up with a bit of air to show musky plum and cherry, a bit of earth, hot cinnamon and bay leaf. Plenty of pepper and spice in the mouth, over the top of some sappy, red cherry fruit. Balanced with some tangy acid and a good finish. A good little wine for the BBQ or cheap quaffing. 86 Pts.

Source: Broadway Liquor Distributors Price: $14 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.yuntero.com

El Vinculo Crianza 2002

I haven't had too many wines from La Mancha, but its the largest wine region is Spain.  It also has some of the the coldest winters and hottest summers. 

This is another one of Alejandro Fernández's projects.  The wine is 100% Tempranillo and sees 18 months in new American oak. There is also a Reserva wine in this range, I'll try to track it down as well.

Deep red in the glass, with bright cherry at the edges.   The nose is full of red cherry, a bit of mocha coffee and some spicy oak.  Very modern in the mouth. Medium to full bodied, but warm and inviting with smooth, silky tannins, ripe raspberry fruit and nutty oak with an undergrowth character in the background.  A long finish with a touch of bitterness.  Should be a good drink for the next couple of years I think. Good value. 89 Pts.

Source: Boccaccio Cellars RRP: $30  Closure: Cork

Web: www.elvinculo.com