Attributes:

Bodegas Vizcarra Ramos

Ribera del Duero, Spain

Tempranillo, Red Blend

750 ML

2006: Tanzer Rating: 88

bright, tangy

floral

blackberry, cherry, dark fruit, grapey, herbal, licorice, smoky

2006: WineAdvocate Rating: 90

bacon, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, oak, smoke

concentrated

2005: Tanzer Rating: 88(+?)

floral

light

deep

berry, bitter, cassis, chocolate, espresso, peppery, spicy

2005: WineAdvocate Rating: 89

concentrated

2005: WineAndSpirits Rating: 90

bright, fresh

blackberry, blueberry, oak, spice box, toast

2005: Tanzer Rating: 88

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 88

crisp, high acidity

medium-bodied

berries, cherries, flowers

2004: Tanzer Rating: 87

bright, fresh

floral

currant, leather, meat, nutty, oak, peppery, raspberry, sandalwood, strawberry

concentrated

Food Matches:

a region in north central Spain (south of Rioja) known primarily for its Vega Sicilia but is now producing terrific wines from Tempranillo grapes.

This Spanish grape gives wines deep color, low acidity and only moderate alcohol content. In recent years the Ribera del Duero region has been producing wonderful wines featuring this grape; in older, more traditional regions such as Rioja, the grape is blended with others.

Attributes:

Infinitus

Spain

Cabernet Sauvignon

750 ML

Food Matches:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.

This mountainous country possesses more vineyard land than any other country on earth, and ranks third in wine production after France and Italy. Spain is best known for its red Riojas and its Sherries, however other wines and regions are quickly gaining notoriety. Like France, Spain divides wine into categories; table wine at the bottom level and quality wine at the top, with a large emphasis on geographical origin. VdM (Vino de Mesa) is a basic table wine. VC (Vino Comarcal) wines are a level up. VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) refers to one of the country’s 25 distinct regions, and each wine possesses a local character. At the top level, only about fifty wines are considered DO (Denominacion de Origen). These wines come from the best-known regions and are the equivalent of France’s Appellation Contrôlée. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada) is reserved for wines that adhere to the most stringent regulations. So far, Rioja is the only wine to gain the Calificada classification.

Attributes:

Marques de Riscal

Rueda, Spain

Dry White Table Wine

750 ML

2006: WineSpectator Rating: 85

crisp

grass, herbal flavors

2004: Tanzer Rating: 87

clean

floral

supple

apple, bitter, grapefruit, grass, honeysuckle, lemon, spices

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 85

*-scented

distinctive

2002: Tanzer Rating: 86

suave, supple

grapefruit, mineral, pineapple, spices

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 87

full-bodied

rich

almond, pear

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

medium-weight

mature

creamy, smooth

2000: Tastings Rating: 83

clean

medium-bodied

drinkable

pepper

sweet

1999: WineSpectator Rating: 85

soft

light

distinctive

honey, pear, vanilla

Food Matches:

A small historic district in Spain, Traditionally known for high-alcohol sherry-like wines, it is now making wonderfully crisp, aromatic white wines from the Verdejo grape.