Our tasting panel judged a diverse range of wines from Portugal and Spain. In the end, Rioja reds proved themselves to be classics for a reason, although our top scoring wine was made from old vines Garnacha from a once orphaned vineyard near Avila in Sierra de Gredos. According the winery’s website we “were working to produce an ambitious wine to ensure the survival of these stubborn vines.” Our judges would agree they succeeded.
Telmo Rodriquez Pegaso Zeta Vinas Vino de Garnacha,
Veijas de Pegaso (Sierra de Gredos, Avila,Spain)
Judges were impressed with this wine’s ability to delivery purity, ripeness and elegance. The overall consensus of the wine was there was a lot of aromatic complexity including notes of red fruits, purple flowers, anise and spice. Judges also commented on the wine’s great depth of flavour and ripeness commending the wine for not crossing over to an undesired “over ripeness.” Despite the wine’s relative lack of pigment, colour us impressed.
Agent: Lifford (Ontario)
www.lifford.com
Price: $30.99, $371.88 (case)
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 92 PTS
2015 Vina Bujanda Rioja Crianza
(Rioja, Spain)
Head judge Emily Pearce-Bibona noted this wine as “elegant and classic.” There was a collective thumbs up for its red berry, cherry with a vanilla-like and dill wood tones on the nose. The palate follows suit with cherry, dried herbs and a balsamic edge on the finish. Overall the wine, as described by guest judge Tim Appelt (winediscovery.ca), “is bright, fresh and very attractive.”
Agent: Stem Wine Group (Ontario)
www.stemwinegroup.com
Price: $17.99
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 91 PTS
2010 Finca Valpiedara Rioja Reserva
(Rioja, Spain)
Our tasting panel gave this Rioja Reserva top scores for its combination of power and elegance. Loads of plum, ripe red berry, herbs, anise, smoked meat and a lingering oak driven baking spice tone all combine for a lot of Rioja charm. A little evolutionary olive and cedar tone emerges on the finish eluding to its maturity.
Agent: Stem Wine Group (Ontario)
www.stemwinegroup.com
Price: $47.99
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 91 PTS
2013 Suertes del Marques La Solana Vino de Parcela Tenerife
(Canary Islands, Spain)
100% Listán Negro crafted from 80 to 150 vines planted on a layer of clay over volcanic subsoil. A complex and beguiling nose complete with “sun-kissed strawberry,” a melange of red fruit flavours, peppery spice, and wild woodsy herb tones made this a compelling wine for our tasting panel. The wine lacked a little complexity on the finish and would benefit from more fruit concentration on the palate but its interesting mix of flavours made this a sufficiently charming wine.
Agent: Le Sommelier Inc. (Ontario)
www.lesommelier.com
Price: $29.95
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
2013 Señorio De P. Pecina Rioja Crianza
(Rioja, Spain)
This is a tempranillo-rich blend supported by dashes of Graciano and Garnacha. The fruit comes from three primary vineyard sources with vines averaging 40 years of age. Our panel enjoyed the classic nature of the wine. On the nose there are hints of American oak adding subtle dill and brown sugar notes to its red fruit and earthy tones. A solid old-style Rioja.
Agent: Le Sommelier Inc. (Ontario)
www.lesommelier.com
Price: $24.95
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
2013 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva
(Rioja, Spain)
A classy Rioja with a classic tension or as Matt Cauz describes “push and pull” between red fruit, rhubarb, plum and savoury herbal, earthy mushroomtones. As the fruit fades the wine’s fine, powdery tannins are revealed.
Agent: Rogers & Co. (Ontario)
www.rogowines.com
Price: $34.95
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
2016 Bodegas Pinord Clos del Mas Priorat
(Catalonia, Spain)
A powerfully constructed Garnacha, Carinena and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that deliversthe expect ripe fruit, licorice and spice aromas. The wine is concentrated, rich in dark fruit, and herb notes but has a pleasant lightness despite its tannic strength.
Agent: Le Sommelier Inc. (Ontario)
www.lesommelier.com
Price: $39.99, $239.94 (Case)
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
2013 Beronia Rioja Reserva
(Rioja, Spain)
The panel agreed this was a classically made Rioja with oak driven vanilla and dill notes blending with a core of opulent red and black fruit, black tea, leather and earthy notes. Ripe plum and rich vanilla dominate the palate with exceptional length. A wine of good concentration and intensity.
Agent: Woodman Wine and Spirits (Ontario)
www.woodmanwinesandspirits.com
Price: $21.95/bottle
Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
(Jerez, Spain)
The world’s best selling Fino Sherry was greeted with unanimous 90 point score by our panel. The word ‘classic’ came up on a number of occasions as did the compliments of its complex aromatics ranging from sourdough bread to lemon zest and saline-like minerality. The palate is bright fresh and vibrant. Offers to share a bottle with Iberico ham, olives and tapas. The perfect wine to start an evening.
Agent: Woodman Wine and Spirits (Ontario)
www.woodmanwinesandspirits.com
Price: $17.95
Ontario Tasting Panel Score: 90 PTS
Lead Judge: Emily-Pearce Bibona
Guest Judges: Tim Appelt, Matt Cauz, Edel Ebbs
About our Tasting Panels: Our tasting panels are typically led by CAPS member sommeliers and may be supplemented at times by guest judges representing wine media or accredited through recognized organizations such as WSET.
Tastings are judged in a semi-blind format. Panelists are aware only of basic information (vintage, varietal, region) when analyzing the wines.
