2005, Spain, Catalonia, Coronas, Torres, Tempranillo

Name: Coronas, Torres
Country: Catalonia, Sprain
Grape(s): 86% Tempranillo, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Colour: A beautiful intense ruby colur that reminded me of a thin port.
Smell: Yummy, was my first thought and the excitement just to taste at that point was killing me. But I waited a bit because the aromas need to have their own lime light, even if its just for a brief moment. Spiciness was the first level of aromas really elegant black pepper that made me want to sneeze. Then as we moved through the ladder of aromas you could also smell the black berries to give it that fruity sense. Geoff (glugateer member) picked up the scent of chillies. Wilma (glugateer member) seemed to find another level of aromas. She found hints of roses, earthiness and even a yeasty tinge. Interesting, I thought. Different paletes different impressions.
Taste: This was a dry, low acidity, medium bodied wine. With deep prominent flavours of blackberries – a realy fruity consistency. I expected a longer length with this 4 year old bottle but it remained short. The biographers of this wine suggest a long length but this probably applies to a much older wine.

Conclusion: A good wine.

WINDEX: 7 out of 10.

Final Comments: Old world wines have never been a priority with me but I remember trying a varietal of Torres a few years ago so I thought I would give this a whirl. Secondly this was a grape variety that I had always had that was part of a blend and not being the majority of the flavour. I thoroughly enjoyed this grape variety and I would have it again. Very nice

Spain - Navajas Crianza, Rioja, 2005

Name: Navajas Crianza
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja: Denominación de Origen: Calificada
Notes: A "crianza" is wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak. Navajas is a family-run estate, situated just outside the small town of Navarrete in La Rioja Alta.
Grape(s): Tempranillo 85%, garnacha 15%
Vintage: 2005
Colour: Ruby
Smell: Fruity scent initially but then you start to smell a more sweeter constituation with a vanilla or buttery aroma. Daddy said he interpreted some of the smells as being like oily fish….hmm..interesting.
Taste: A really nice early spring in its taste – real fruity flavours and hints of watermelon were something I picked up on. A nice rounded flavour with an off dry flavour and overall a medium body
Conclusion: This was a good wine –
WINEDEX: 7 out of 10
Final comments: I don’t really know a lot about Spanish wine - I am more of a new world drinker, but I wasn’t disappointed with this wine. It stood nicely on it own and was a great flavour. I would by this again and try more from this region for sure.