At the end of April members of the SI/AdV Tasting Panel met at the residence of the publisher, Reva K. Singh to taste and recommend Spanish wines to consumers and readers of Sommelier India wine magazine. As always, the wines are tasted blind, followed by a discussion. Two Indian wines from Sula and Grover Zampa were include incognito in the list, and fared fairly well. The wines are listed. below in the sequence in which they were tasted. Tasting Notes by Gagan Sharma
2017 Bodegas Aragonesas ‘Crucillon’, Garnacha Rosé, Campo de Borja, SPAIN
Very pale pink colour, A tad dull. Mild intensity of aromas with touches of ripe red fruits, red berries, and hints of green. Opens to floral notes later. Dry palate with ripe moderate fairly crisp acidity, soft negligible tannins, round mouthfeel with mild fruity and spice notes. A simple quaffable rose.
2018 Sula Vineyards The Source Grenache Rosé, Nasik, INDIA
Pale pink colour, bright and attractive.Good fruit nose, ripe and sweet, Very fresh, floral touches, a little jammy though.Dry palate, with fruity sweet flavours, plush fruitiness, crisp refreshing acidity. Ripe and concentrated in its appeal and structure. Quite appealing overall. Metallic touches in the aftertaste. Refreshing, youthful, amicable.
2017 Rio de la Hoz Tempranillo, La Mancha, SPAIN
Medium ruby colour with pale rims, possibly suggesting ageing.Low intensity of aromas, the nose seem to be completely muted.Ripe palate, more dark fruits than reds, ample and stalky tannins but neither gripping, nor raw. Nothing impressive at all, seem to be a wine that is put together than a natural produce. Drinkable, but unimaginative.
2015 Vina Pomal Crianza, Rioja, SPAIN
Bright youthful ruby colour. Well defined and layered nose with rich red fruits at front, opening slowly to sweet oak, smoke, cola, earth, and a hint of leather. Dry palate with abundant rich red and dark fruits, candied sweetness from apparent American oak, oak and skin tannins delivering the wine a chewy texture. Good vibrant acidity to balance the warm alcohol and dehydrating tannins, ending with a note of spice and emerging tone of earthiness. Long, persistent aftertaste.Smart, Delightful, Juicy
2014 Torres Altos Ibericos Crianza, Rioja, SPAIN
Medium ruby colour, dense core, hint fading rims, suggesting ageing.Nice ripe nose, layered and soft. Abundant sweet red fruits and ripe dark fruits. A touch of violet floral. Very appealing nose.Sweet fruits up-front with dark ones following later. Fresh fleshy moderate tannins, warm alcohol, balanced by refreshing citrus. Quite concentrated in its flavours, structure, and appeal. Long finish.Good to taste, Approachable, Vivacious
2017 Bodegas Aragonesas ‘Crucillon’ Garnacha Tempranillo, Calatayud, SPAIN
Light ruby, bright and youthful appearance.Jammy and musty nose at front, spices and herbs underneath that emerge later.Candied sweet fruits on the front palate, low acidity, chewy tannins, almost like ‘jamun’. Warm alcohol and spices from the evident French oak ageing. Hint dusty and earthy on the back palate with a gritty mouthful. Long aftertaste. Needs something to nibble on alongside. Typicity, Drinkable, Gripping
2015 Bodegas Aragonesas Coto de Hayas Garnacha Centenaria, Campo de Borja, SPAIN
Deep ruby colour, opaque core.Ripe and concentrated dark fruits, warm spices and oak, considerable intensity of leather and savouriness seem to be developing now, Hint sweet touches.A big bold palate with lots going on. Juicy front, robust dark fruits, gripping abundant tannins, from the skins as well as the oak, also adding to the savouriness of the palate. Gutsy oak, sweet tannins, warm alcohol, supportive acidity. Wine possesses various good elements that’ll combine and develop in to a finer drink with further bottle ageing. Aftertaste dominated by meat, leather, tobacco, and forest floor. Approach with patience.
2013 Torres Gran Sangre de Toro, Garnacha, Carinena and Syrah, Catalunya, SPAIN
Medium ruby, deep core, fading rims that are suggestive of ageing.Appealing big nose, hight on smokiness, and heavy oak influence. High intensity of ripe, plush fruits, mix of red and dark fruits, currants and berries, very concentrated.Sweet fruits at front with supportive sweet oak and warm spices. Well matured mix of red and dark fruits, making the wine look a tad playful. Juicy acidity, warm alcohol, savoury tannins, and developing tertiary notes of cedar, leather, tobacco, and mushrooms. An interesting touch of herbs at the finish.Interesting, Approachable, Matured.
2015 Grover Zampa Chêne Tempranillo Shiraz, Nasik, INDIA
Deep ruby colour, opaque core, coloured legs, suggestive of warm climate and heavy extraction from the fruit.Beautifully perfumed and rich nose. Ripe red berries and currants, sweet cherries, fresh American oak, back pepper, savouriness, while maintaining its freshness and a floral essence too.Big on the palate with dense dark fruits, heavy influence of new sweet oak, warm and sweet spices, warmth from high alcohol and youthful tannins. Ripe fruitiness, emerging tertiary flavours led by leather and tobacco prominently. A long aftertaste after dipping on the mid palate which is nearly hollow.Can hold on for a bit longer. Juicey, Bold, Masculine.
2016 Bodegas Aragonesas Coto de Hayas Fagus Garnacha, Campo de Borja, SPAIN
Deep ruby colour. Bright and Vibrant. Coloured legs indicating warm climate.Shy on the nose but elegantly so. Later opens up to fleshy red fruits, raspberries, cherries, hint of mushrooms, earth, faint oak, and meatiness.Soft on the palate with an interesting touch of violets, matured red and dark fruits, touch candied though, tight tannins that are yet to hit maturity. Very well handled layered palate with developing complexity.Sweet spices dominate the long aftertasteDefinitely needs more ageing and decanting when opened. Still a baby in the cot, holds very high promise. Plush, Impressive, Bankable.
