I’ve had a bit of holiday from wine over the past coule of week since Easter, interrupted a quick trip up to Rutherglen to look at some of Australia’s best fortified wines. Stanton & Killeen have done some amazing stuff with their vintage port (or whatever it’s called these days), they must have the oldest tempranillo vines in the country too. I have a very nice 1990 VP to write up as well.
This is about the only single variety Mazuelo from Rioja I know of. I’ve had a couple from Priorat, under it’s more well known name of Cariñena, and they have been really lip smacking wines with plenty of spicy pepper notes. This is more solid and robust, not a monster by any means but plenty of wood has been used here by the looks of it.
A nose of cherries, blueberries and raspberries with earthy notes of hot cinnamon, nutmeg and anise. It’s quite chunky in the mouth, plenty of tannins and a flush of acid to clean things up at the end. Plenty of cherry and plum on the palate, this sits under some nice spice and sage, chocolate, freshly cut wood and oak notes. In interesting look at what is normally a minor variety in a Rioja blend. 90 Pts.
Source: Broadway Liquor Distributors Price: $35 Closure: Conventional Cork
Very interesting.
I have not had the Beronia, but I can tell you that the Coleccion Vivanco range now includes a single varietal Mazuelo from 2007 which will be released very soon.
I look forward to seeing what you think of it at some stage, and in the interim I shall seek out this wine.
Hello Dave, Thank you for your great comments on our “Vintage Fortified” You may be interested that we are about to release a Douro dry red blend from our Portugeuse varieties called “The Prince” New wine, new label I am very proud of it. Released cellar door in July. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roris & Sou Sao.
Let me know if you are interested in more information,
Hi Robert,
We don’t tend to see the Coleccion Vivanco gear out here, but I will stop buy when I’m back in Rioja next year…
Ann,
My pleasure, just telling it as it is.
The Prince sounds very good, I’d love to have a look when it’s ready. I might have to make a quick trip up to rutherglen again…
I know - it’s a shame and something we are working on.
Do you get to Rioja each year then? Maybe this time we can meet at last. I will be there a fair bit in late September and early October (visits during vintage are popular), then again in November for the major Marketing conference.
I don’t make it over every year, but I’m planning to be back over in Feb or March next year. A bit of Rioja, then down to Castilla y Leon for a bit…
I’d love to get over during havest, but its the busiest time of year at work for me.
Hi Dave,
I would like to add a comment regarding the Stanton and Killeen wine, The Prince. My son Simon made this wine. It was a dream he has had for a long time and as he is studying Wine Science at Charles Sturt Uni, the opportunity arose for him to make a wine as part of his course. Simon and his sister Natasha, picked the grapes by hand and in true portuguese style, crushed them by foot.
Since the realease of this wonderful wine many glowing reviews have been written in many publications across Australia. It is a style quite different to the usual Rutherglen style but in time I am certain we will see more of it produced. A great effort for a 22 year old second year uni student. (At he time)
For Simon’s contact details please email me.
Regards
Wendy Killeen
Hi Wendy,
I have been meaning to try this since it was released, I’ll email you and get some contact details…
Cheers,
Dave