Spain

Bodegas Finca Vaqueros I’Corus Quinta 2005

Well this is a surprise package, a really interesting Spanish wine for well under $20. It’s not the usual sunny fruit, simple but good value wine. Its well and truly in the old school camp, but it has plenty of character and rustic charm. I drank this after the 04 Roda I, which is kind of like a Barry White song (smooth and polished with plenty of bottom end), where as this is more like Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (full of angles, lo-fi and not everyone gets it).

If you’re not happy with gamey characters or a bit of VA, stay well clear, on the other hand if you like savoury, rustic wines like Chianti you’ll love this. Bodegas Finca Vaqueros are based just out of the Ribera del Duero DO at Tuelda del Duero. The wine is 100% Tempranillo that gets a dunk in American oak for a couple of months.

A really interesting nose: coffee, a bit of VA and crushed ants, roast lamb with rosemary, leather, violets with some subtle dark cherry, mulberry and cranberry. Its quite meaty and savoury, with a great bit of acid down the middle of the palate. Soft fruit tannins and plenty of good stuff on the palate: blackberry and dark cherry, roast meat, licorice, rosemary and sage. A very enjoyable, rustic gem that is priced so that you can drink it any night of the week. 88 Pts.

Source: Broadway Liquor Distributors Price: $17 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.bodegasfincavaqueros.com