April 3rd - Happy Easter - The Spanish Inquisition gets a Si or two and some shrugs

Not being a huge fan of Spanish wines (Liking the Priorat region more and more though) this feature underwhelms me. A few good wines and some others from around the globe, but nothing to run around like a madman after....

SPAIN Feature
BODEGAS LAN RESERVA 2004 – While not a Top 100 Wine to my palate, this one is very good. Decanted and sipped I thought “What’s the big deal, just another Tempranillo?”. With food, (roast rack of pork with roasted root veggies, mashed taters and some greens) the wine improved and was very nice. I’ll buy a trio to see how they mature. $19.95
LOS 800 2005 – Grenache mostly – should be good tasty.$19.95 – Two of these or three of the cheapies? Hmmmmm….
BODEGAS ATECA OLD VINES GARNACHA DE FUEGO 2008 – Grenache mostly so expect more fruit than the tempranillos have and the price is right.$12.95
Artazuri – same as above for a buck more.

FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA 2006 – Might be worth a try at $17.95.

Best of the Rest
HENRY’S DRIVE PILLAR BOX RESERVE SHIRAZ 2007 $21.95 – Probably the polar opposite to the LAN. Aussie Shiraz in classic form. $21.95

TOWNSHIP 7 MERLOT 2006 – An Okanagen beauty, pricey at $26.95.

GALLO BARRELLI CREEK VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 – Expect great Cab character with a tarry afternote. $34.95

GRAFFIGNA GRAND RESERVE MALBEC 2006 – Not bad if you need a Malbec fix - $17.95

CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2006 – A good buy at $16.95.

DOMAINE DE LA CROISETTE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 – My review by the numbers. No, BUY the numbers 2007 - $13.95.

SKOURAS SAINT GEORGE (AGHIORGHITIKO) 2007 – Fun to say and drink at Greek Easter this weekend – after a few glasses you won’t care if you can pronounce the grape! $16.95


The Big Buck Zone
MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI VIGNETO MONTESODI CHIANTI RÚFINA RISERVA 2006 – The last one of these I bought was on sale due to stained labels for barely $35. I can’t bring myself to spend this, no matter how good it is. Great wine, great year but $59.95