MONTSANT – CELLER DE CAPCANES MAS DONIS NEGRE
Montsant, Spain
UPC: 08427154011935
13.5% alcohol
$17.99
Full and Robust combination of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah.
The grapes come from old vines between 30 and 60 years old, planted on clay and granite soils located on terraces.
This could very easily become one of our favourite red blends yet, because it’s pleasing from beginning to end. Lovely bouquet and a strong finish. It will go with just about anything the cook prepares.
RIOJA RESERVA – BERONIA 2014
750 ml | SKU: 216770
Regularly $24.99 we got it for $22.95
14% alcohol
Tempanillo matured for 3 years in French and American oak barrels. This is big. It’s bold. It’s a lovely balance between acidic fruit and oak. Pretty complex with a very long finish. A hybrid barrel invented by winemaker Matias Calleja, American staves and French tops. Garancha, Graciano, Maturana and Mazuelo all play important roles both in blends and increasingly on their own as single varietals.Some guts to it. …and has definite backbone.
Bodegas Beronia is situated in Ollauri, the heart of Rioja Alta. To the North, the Cantabria Mountain range and to the South the Demanda Mountain range. It is a unique area for the production of high quality wines. The influence of the Atlantic and the minerals from the Ebro river convert this area into a privileged area for the cultivation of the vine. In addition the diversity of the soils gives a great complexity and marked character to the wines.
A new set of challenges, too. I asked Danielle to build us another mystery case – we had so much fun with the first one.
Let’s try unusual and uncommon grape varietals, single or blends. Anywhere in the world. With our usual budget target of average $20 per bottle – tax in.
I stopped by mid-day today. Amid lots of laughter, Danielle built another case of joy. And there were comments like “next time you do big lamb … open this at least two hours before” That’s BIG lamb as opposed to little lamb!
Tonight the grape is from the Spanish Rueda region – 140 km NW of Madrid – known for its dry aromatic whites. Very old grape that possibly came into the region more than 1000 years ago from North Africa. The region is a high plateau with lots of sandy/clay clay soil.
Code: 79046
Rueda Verdejo – El Petit Bonhomme
13.5% alcohol
$14.99 on sale from $15.99 regularly
Verdejo grapes play nice with seafood, salads, light cheeses, of course chicken.
Lots of Texture is probably the best way to describe this wine. It seems to work well when there’s lots of other flavours going on. You can have this in the kitchen, and certainly wouldn’t be ashamed to take it into the dining room or on the deck.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
I added one more parsnip to the roasted veggie mix to bring out a little more sweetness. (carrots/potato/leek/redpepper). There was even garlic in the tzatziki.
If this had been around last night, it would have gone well with the grilled salmon steaks.
This is a wine that would be good year round not just in the summer when we traditionally drink more whites than reds. Buy two, you’ll be glad you did.
