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Spain & Portugal
Reviews for 2018

April 2018 - Spain & Portugal

April 2018 - Spain & Portugal
This month's Wine feature is Spanish & Portuguese Wines

Spain & Portugal Reviews

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Bodega Pujanza Hado 2015 Rioja DO
92 points
$35
Bodega Pujanza Hado
2015 Rioja DO
Black violet color. Interesting aromas and flavors of cherry wood, balsamic vinegar, red apple, and hibiscus with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a tingling, complex, long finish with overtones of curry, dill, fennel seed, and tar with firm tannins and heavy oak flavor. New world wine-drinkers will love this intriguing and mysterious Rioja that will continue to develop new and interesting flavors.
92 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Ela 2017 White Vinho Verde DOC
90 points
$10.99
Best Buy
Ela
2017 White Vinho Verde DOC
Straw color. Citrusy aromas and flavors of roasted tangerine, exotic tropical fruits, and pickled melon rinds with a supple, tangy, petillant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a graceful, appealing, medium-long finish with impressions of green apple skin and minerals. A delicious Vinho Verde with a great blend of fruit and savory tones.
90 points $10.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Soplo 2014 Valencia
90 points
$16
Best Buy
Soplo
2014 Valencia
Dark garnet color. Fresh, fruity aromas of wild raspberry, slate, chervil, clove, and lime leaf with a satiny, vibrant, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, medium-length crushed violet petals, rose hips, and hibiscus finish with medium tannins. A juicy and fresh grenache with endless pairing possibilities; a great choice for a spring or summer red.
90 points $16 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Campo Viejo 2011 Gran Reserva Rioja DOC
90 points
$19
Campo Viejo
2011 Gran Reserva Rioja DOC
Dusty garnet color. Aromas of leather, dried figs, marasca cherries, and savory spices with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, medium-long bacon, dried apricot, and paprika finish with earthy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A bold and balanced Rioja with ample nuance for the gourmet table.
90 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Laxas 2017 Albarino
90 points
$22
Laxas
2017 Albarino
Straw color. Fresh, floral aromas of lime cordial, orange flower water, lush grasses, sweet ginger, and ripe apricot with a round, lively, fruity light body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length underripe pineapple, white tea, peaches and cream, jute, and white pepper finish with silky, fruit tannins. A fantastically bright and appealing Albarino with captivating aromas.
90 points $22
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Date Tasted:
Ela 2017 Rose Vinho Verde DOC
88 points
$10.99
Best Buy
Ela
2017 Rose Vinho Verde DOC
Bright pink coral color. Aromas and flavors of watermelon and concord grape jelly with a satiny, vibrant, spritzy, fruity light body and a smooth, breezy finish with notes of Seville orange zest and lime with soft, fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A delightful and fruity Vinho Verde for summer fun.
88 points $10.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
90+ Cellars 2014 Grand Vino Red Blend Navarra
88 points
$11.99
Best Buy
90+ Cellars
2014 Grand Vino Red Blend Navarra
Black garnet color. Aromas of dried black fruit, chewing tobacco, and dark chocolate with cayenne with a satiny, dry medium-to-full body and a peppery, breezy carob, cherry coulis, parsley, and dill finish with woody tannins and moderate oak flavor. A dry Spanish red perfect for gamier dishes.
88 points $11.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Campo Viejo 2016 Garnacha
88 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Campo Viejo
2016 Garnacha
Garnet color. Aromas of ripe cherries, alpine herbs, artisan cola, and lime leaf with a round, lively, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, compelling, medium-length summer peach, mixed peppercorns, serrano ham, and cranberry finish with well-integrated tannins. A bright and cheerful Grenache with a lovely round texture.
88 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Opta 2016 Branco White Blend Dao
88 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Opta
2016 Branco White Blend Dao
Yellow straw color. Interesting aromas and flavors of mango chutney, delicate spice and mint, and lemon curd with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, stimulating, medium-long finish conveying overtones of honeyed melon with no oak flavor. A round and ready Portuguese white that will cover a lot of bases.
88 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Tharsys City 2016 Tinto Utiel Requena DO
88 points
$12.99
Tharsys City
2016 Tinto Utiel Requena DO
Garnet black color. Sweet aromas and flavors of peony petals, sweet pea blossom, caramelized pancetta and plantains, raspberry tart, root beer float, and watermelon candies with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a captivating, medium-length finish with touches of juicy tomatoes, cedar, and dark chocolate with medium, grippy tannins and light oak flavor. A rich Spanish red packed fruit and appeal.
88 points $12.99
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Date Tasted:
Porto Meneres NV Porto Fine White Douro
88 points
$14.99
Best Buy
Porto Meneres
NV Porto Fine White Douro
Steely amber color. Spicy, fruity aromas of peach candies, sponge cake, birch forest, and coriander with a glycerous, vibrant, sweet medium body and a peppery, delightful, medium-length orange marmalade, orange blossom, apricot-almond tea cake, and clove finish with heavy oak flavor. A zesty white port that will make for great porto-tonicos and cocktail play.
88 points $14.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Campo Viejo 2013 Reserva Rioja DOC
88 points
$15.99
Campo Viejo
2013 Reserva Rioja DOC
Dark dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of sundried tomato, pomegranate, dark rye toast, anise, and red peppercorn with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, medium-length finish with notes of watermelon, lemon-pepper, and pine with medium, crunchy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A nice Rioja that walks a line between new and old-world style.
88 points $15.99
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Date Tasted:
Academia de los Nocturnos 2016 Tinto Bobal
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Academia de los Nocturnos
2016 Tinto Bobal
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of spiced boysenberries, pencil shavings, and chocolate mint toffee with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a polished, intriguing, medium-length finish displaying notes of cranberry tart a la mode, nutskin, and violet candy with well-integrated, crunchy tannins and light oak flavor. A fun, spicy red for sipping and super sangria.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Vidigal 2016 Vinho Verde DOC
87 points
$9.99
Best Buy
Vidigal
2016 Vinho Verde DOC
Straw green color. Aromas and flavors of green apple, grilled kumquat, and melon rind with a supple, racy, petillant, dry-yet-fruity light body and an appealing, breezy finish imparting notes of meyer lemon granita and grassy earth with no oak flavor. A bright and refreshing vinho verde that will compliment a fish dish nicely.
87 points $9.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Campo Viejo 2016 Tempranillo
87 points
$12.99
Best Buy
Campo Viejo
2016 Tempranillo
Violet color. Aromas of red and black licorice, dried figs and dates, and raspberry liqueur with a gritty, crisp, dryish medium body and a smooth, breezy dried mint and ginseng finish with coarse tannins and light oak flavor. Lay this Tempranillo down for several years to mellow its tannins.
87 points $12.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Porto Meneres NV Porto Fine Ruby Douro
87 points
$14.99
Best Buy
Porto Meneres
NV Porto Fine Ruby Douro
Dusty ruby color. Fruity aromas of rum soaked blueberries, dark chocolate ganache, dried cranberry, and baking spices with a thick, bright, very sweet full body and a peppery, medium-length molasses, salted mixed nuts, savory herbs, and cumin finish with dusty, medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A solid port choice for a casual after-dinner indulgence.
87 points $14.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Porto Meneres NV Porto Fine Tawny Douro
87 points
$14.99
Best Buy
Porto Meneres
NV Porto Fine Tawny Douro
Dark burnt sienna color. Boozy aromas of dried cherries with orange zest, almond oil, grilled cashew and brazil nuts, and smoky tobacco with a syrupy, vibrant, sweet medium body and a hot, medium-length black pepper, soy sauce, and Madeira cake finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A nice Tawny port for cocktails and dessert recipes.
87 points $14.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Martín Códax 2016 Albarino
86 points
$15
Best Buy
Martín Códax
2016 Albarino
Straw color. Peppery aromas of egg salad, lemon curd, chalk, and cracked pepper with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a silky, breezy tangerine finish with soft, fruit tannins. A nice white quaffer or simple dinner wine.
86 points $15 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Caballeria de Luna 2016 Off-Dry White Blend Penedes
85 points
$14.99
Caballeria de Luna
2016 Off-Dry White Blend Penedes
Bright straw green color. Citrusy, creamy, fruity aromas and flavors of honey drizzled peach, orange blossom water, violet petals, and brioche with a round, soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, swift finish with accents of orange blossom water, sea salt sprinkled ripe nectarines, ripe tangerine, and lemon sorbet with fruit tannins and no oak flavor. A fruity and floral number with a kiss of sweetness; great for summer quaffing.
85 points $14.99
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Date Tasted:
Opta 2014 Branco Red Blend Dao
83 points
$12.99
Opta
2014 Branco Red Blend Dao
Medium burnt sienna color. Clean, fresh, fruity, smoky, rustic aromas and flavors of sour cherry, blueberry handpie, wet cedar, and pink peppercorns with a velvety, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, breezy finish with notes of vanilla taffy, cedar chips, and pear skin with silky, soft tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. Rustic and spicy, perfect for smoked meats on the grill.
83 points $12.99
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Date Tasted:
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