BEST BUYS: Spain

 

THIS BEST BUYS PAGE IS IN THE NATURE OF AN ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHTING PERENNIAL FAVORITES THAT TRADITIONALLY DELIVER VALUE. THE REVIEWS AS SUCH ARE NOT ALWAYS THE CURRENT VINTAGE.

CURRENT PICKS AND NEW RELEASES ARE SPOTLIGHTED ON THE BEST BUYS HOME PAGE

Best Buys Main  

• • NV Pedro Ximenez Sherry "San Emilio" (Emilio Lustau) Reviewed many times, around $19 now in 2009.  Sample review: Reviewed, Sept/Oct 1997 Tasting Notes
  • 2007 Tempranillo (Volver)  Beautifully constructed, this mid-teens wine is a pleasure to drink.

  • NV Moscatel Sherry (Pedro Romero)  (December, 2009) This isn't the best Moscatel--it lacks the richness, say, of the Lustau, which is also a best buy at about $20; but at $10.49, this is hard to beat

  • 2004 Idus de Vall Llach (Celler Vall Llach) (December, 2009) This burly Priorat delivers a lot for under $20 in my region.

  • 2000 Garnacha Tres Pico (Borsao) (Nov 2001, March 2003) Spanish lovely....
  • 2003 Jumilla (Juan Gil)   (January, 2006) Structure and power in a $12 wine?
  • 2000 Gotim Bru (Castell del Remei) (July 2003) About $11.50 for a big, rich wine 2004 Gotim Bru Costers del Segre (Castell del Remei) (August 2006)  A bit simple, perhaps, but for only $13, a nice deal
  • 2001 Garnacha "Vinas Viejas Las Rocas" (San Alejandro) (April 2004) $10.50, one of the finest cheapies ever when it's on. Admittedly plagued by inconsistencies. But hey, even 86-87 points at the price is not an awful fate.
  • 2001 Garnacha (Artazuri)  (July 2003) Rhone ringer, about $8

  • 2003 Ribera del Duero "Vendemia Seleccionada" (Casajus) About $17 or so, big and powerful, not seeming to be a small wine at all...(August 2005)

  • 2003 Valencia "Dos" (Rafael Camba)  A Spanish wine that is sweet, flavorful and charming for around $15. (August 2005)

  • 2002 Sauvignon Blanc (Blanco Nieva) (July 2003) THIS for $11? 

  • NV Cava "Brut Reserva" (Sumarroca) (July 2003) $10--round, appealing cava

  • 2002 Verdejo (Blanco Nieva) (July 2003) $10 winner!

  • 2003 Rioja Crianza "La Montesa" (Palacios Remondo) (August 2006) About $17, from the star winemaker

  • 2003 Tinto (Monte Negro)  (April 2004) $13.50, delicious

  • 2004 Yecia Hecula (Bodegas Castaño) (August 2006) A fine buy for about $13
    

  • 2001 Garnacha (Lelia) (April 2004) $7 and with structure!

  • 2003 Montsant "Fra Guerau" (Vinas del Montsant) (June 2006)  $8 in Penna, charming and some structure

  • 2004 Prima (Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos)   (October, 2007) The second wine, and a revelation at around $15.

  • 2005 Albariño Cepas Velhas "Aquis Celenis" (Fernando Otero)  (December, 2007) Suggested price of $18 for this Old Vines (100 years old) wine

  • 1999 Finca Sobreno (Toro) (Feb. 2002, March 2003) $12 and bursting with flavor.
    
    Spain is a huge producer with a low profile until recently--but it is getting stronger every year, and if you look hard, there are inexpensive wines that deliver an awful lot of bang for the buck. So many fine wines are coming out at ridiculously low prices. This page lists just a few---we can't republish an entire phone book!

   

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