Spain (WSET)

More notes from ages ago... Spain tasting at the WSET Centre.

1. Tinajas de la Mata, Bodegas Bernabe Navarro
Didn't note the vintage
Medium gold colour. Semi-cloudy appearance (unfiltered). Medium strength oxidative aroma. Floral. Very complex. Almost cider-like nose.
Dry, high acid. Quite light body, but complex aftertaste. More apple fruit on the palate than on the nose.
Very good. This would be an enjoyable aperitif wine. Very interesting.
Price: GBP 12.42

2. El Bon Homme, Rafael Cambra, 2010
DO Valencia
Pretty deep purple colour. Somewhat watery rim. This smells like a young red wine - blackcurrant, vanilla. Something savoury overlaying this though.
High acid, medium body. Surprisingly high tannin. Decent length.
Good, but not amazing.
Price: GBP 10.95

3. La Tremenda, Enrique Mendoza 2010
DO Valencia
Deep purple colour. Medium(+) fruit intensity. Meaty, savoury notes overlaying the black fruit. Somewhat stewed fruit - presumably very ripe grapes.
Medium(+) body. Juicy fruit. More likely to age than the previous wine. High tannin, very fresh. Good concentration. Pepper. Silky mouthfeel.
This is very good. Felt like it had ageing potential.
Price: GBP 11.95

4. Altico Syrah, Bodegas Carchelo
DO Valencia. Didn't note the vintage. 100% Syrah
Opaque red wine. Inky.
Almost port-like nose (spiritous)
High tannin, high(ish) acid. Fairly simple character.
Enjoyable, but wouldn't seek it out. Much less refined than the previous wine.
Price: GBP 12.99

5. Doble Pasta, Cien y Pico
DO Manchuela. Vintage not noted (again!)
Inky purple colour. Medium intensity. Woody, with vanilla notes. Also some blueberries and cherries.
Spicy finish. Medium body. High tannin. Only 13.5% abv. Smooth mouthfeel on initial attack, but pretty searing after a while. This gets too much.
Price: GBP 11.45

6. P.F. 2010, Bodegas y Vinedos Ponce
DO Manchuela
This is made from the bobal grape.
Pretty deep purple colour. Watery rim. Green pepper, herbal notes. Some vanilla.
Smooth and silky on the initial attack. Serious tannin comes through after a while though - very fine tannin, even if a lot of it. Intense and mouthfilling. High acid.
Price: GBP 15.90

7. Mestizaje Tinto, Bodega Mustiguillo, 2011
Deep, almost opaque purple. Modern-style nose.
Smooth, juicy fruit. Very balanced. Complex. Very interesting.
Price: GBP 11.95

8. Felipe Gutierrez de la Vega, Casta Diva, Moscatel 2009
DO Alicante
Honey-coloured. Nose has intense orange and floral notes. A little "grapey". Very clean. No botrytis.
Honey and apricots on the palate. Fresh, good acid. Well balanced. Intense. Sweet, but not at all cloying.
Very nice.
Price: GBP 18.90