Tinto y Blanco » Moscatel

Telmo Rodruigez MR 2007

Dave Worthington — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:00:53 +0000

It wasn’t until l I was told the proper use for this wine that I really go it. You could call it a dessert wine, but really it’s a post siesta pick me up. So rather than having a quick cafe solo (a short black espresso) before getting on with your day, sit back and relax with a glass of this to ease yourself back into the world. A hit of sugar to perk you up and a little alcohol to get you into the right frame of mind….perfect. I gave the theory a test run late on Christmas day: works like a charm.

The nose sparks a fair bit of interest: loads of tree fruits such as quince, pear, a touch of apple and apricot. As far as I know there is no botrytis used in making this wine, I think the fruit is dried for a little bit on straw mats before pressing though. Very well balanced in the mouth, plenty of sugar and flavour that’s balanced out by the acid. Not sticky cloying at all, it’s super fresh, zippy and zingy. More of the same flavours on the palate, with a bit of honey. A long finish that shows up some rocky minerals. I could see a bottle of this becoming something of a tradition on Christmas day …90 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $45 (500ml) Closure: Conventional Cork

Salvador Poveda Moscatel NV

Dave Worthington — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:46:25 +0000

This is a good bottle to have in the fridge for those times when you need something sweet, but not heavy and sticky. There isn’t much in the way of details on this one appart from that its made from Muscat of Alexradria and Roman Moscatel, but I’m assuming that its made by allowing a partial fermentation of the latest year’s harvest that’s stopped by the addition of some grape spirit.This is very well priced too.

Nice goldern colour with a bit of viscosity. Aromas of lemon peel, seville orange marmalade, a bit of ginger and, well, muscatel grapes. Light, bright and fresh in the mouth, with a good dose of sugar but some acid to keep the finish fairly clean. The palate mirrors the nose for the most part, but shows some old oak character. The kind of thing you hope for when you find a nice lump of cheese at the back of the fridge at 11:30pm. 88 Pts.

Source: Ce Soir Imports Price: $20 Closure: Cork Stopper

Web: www.salvadorpoveda.com

Fusta Nova Moscatel 2005

Dave Worthington — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:26:26 +0000

I've been a bit slow on tasting notes, a trip up to Sydney and work have go tin the way. I've got a couple of monastrells to look at this week as well.

I think this is the first wine from Valencia I've had here in Australia. And its good too, no two-fruits and Pez thick-shake here. Its a complex wine, with a load of flavours I wasn't expecting.

A light, golden orange colour. After spending some time in the fridge,the wine pours in the glass with a bit of thickness. Exotic on the nose, ginger marmalade, pineapple, apricot and cinnamon. A nice balance of sweetness, flavor, spice and acid, with the palate mimicking the nose. A bit sweeter than I like (i'm not a sweet tooth), the complexity, acid and flavours cover it well. This would be perfect with cheese and rich puddings. 89 Pts.

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

Primitivo Quiles Moscatel

Dave Worthington — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 11:49:57 +0000

I stopped off to pick up something to drink with chocolate cake at home and found this little gem. There's not much info on the bottle, not even a region other than "Produce of Spain" or a vintage, but that didn't stop me.

A goldern hay colour with a nose of rasins mixed with orange peel. A little bit funky, but rich in the mouth with a good acid level to balance out the sweetness. Tart oranges and rasins make up the bulk of the flavours in the mouth, there is a bit of heat and dark tea on the finish. For 15 bucks it is good value. 86 Pts.

Source: Retail Price: $15 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.primitivoquiles.com