Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Issue #208 (Aug 2013) is out and the big man himself reviewed some of our wines in his article called “Best buys of selected high quality, boutique importers”:
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Torremorón 2012: 89 points
“A sensational value, this 2012 Tinto (100% Tempranillo) may merit an outstanding rating with another 4-6 months in bottle. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color, a beautiful texture, and a big, sweet bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, licorice and lead pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied with loads of fruit, a precocious appeal, ripe tannin and decent acidity, it can be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years.”
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Bodegas Magana, Dignus 2009: 91 points
“The 2009 Dignus (50% Tempranillo, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon) also exhibits a Pomerol-like perfume of mocha, black cherries, mulberries and cola. There is lots of richness, sweet, well-integrated tannins, full body and a hefty, lush mouthfeel. It should continue to drink beautifully for another 4-5 years.”
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Bodegas Magana, Baron de Magana 2009: 92 points
“The sensational 2009 Baron de Magana possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, particularly Pomerol, which is not surprising since the cuttings for the 35% Merlot in the blend were acquired from the Petrus vineyard! The remainder of the blend is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo and 10% Syrah planted in an old alluvial river bed with underpinnings of limestone. The wine was aged 14 months in 70% new oak prior to bottling. A stunning value, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as abundant notes of sweet mulberries, white chocolate and black currant fruit, incense, vanillin, mocha and a hint of espresso. It is a complex, modern-styled, Spanish red offering loads of fruit, medium to full body, and terrific balance as well as purity. Consume it over the next 4-5 years, although I would not be surprised to see it last a lot longer.”
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Some other wines that were recently highly rated by Robert Parker:
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Bodegas Ovidio Garcia, Reserva 2007: 92 points
The marvellous 2007 Ovidio Garcia Reserva comes from 80-to 100-year-old vines and is raised in 75% French and 25% American new and used oak for 24 months. It offers a fresh, mineral-rich bouquet with tightly wound black cherries and briary – Alpine fresh and beautifully delineated. The palate is very well-balanced, with fine tannins that encase crisp black fruit that is very well-assimilated with the oak. It is very focused and quite “strict” on the finish, but it shows real class. Drinking perfectly now, I would be intrigued to see how it ages over the next few years. Drink now-2018.
The Garcia family founded Bodegas Ovidio Garcia in 1999. On a bitterly cold February afternoon I visited their ancient subterranean cellars, which are over three centuries old and accommodate a gargantuan, 15-meter long Roman press. Here you will find the twelve concrete vats they use to ferment the wine, while on the ground-level sits the stainless steel vats that they intend to use in the future. They eschew the use of pesticides in their vineyards around the village of Cigales. I appreciated these wines for their purity and natural harmony, quite conservative in style at first, strict and focused but often with very satisfying finishes.
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Bodegas Ovidio Garcia, Crianza 2009: 91 points
“The 2009 Esencia Tempranillo Crianza is remarkably closed on the nose and demands a lot of encouraging. It reluctantly offers stony aromas, almost like walking into a limestone cave! The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of lovely juicy fruit, strawberry jam, fresh raspberry and just a touch of vanilla. It is well-balanced and much plusher than the deceptive nose suggests. Drink now and over the next couple of years. Anticipated Maturity: now-2015.”
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Bodega Finca Los Alijares, Graciano roble 2009: 92 points
“The 2009 Finca Los Alijares Graciano comes from nine9-hectares of organic vine in Camanera and sees a judicious four months in new oak. It has a lovely, pure, almost ravishing bouquet of succulent dark cherry and cassis fruit that develops an appealing floral note with time. The palate displays good structure on the entry, a clean crisp seam of citric fruit and a very pure blackberry, raspberry preserve and mineral-laden finish that is top class. This is a model Vino de la Tierra. Superb. Drink now-2017.”
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Bodega Finca Los Alijares, Graciano Autor 2009: 91 points
“The 2009 Finca los Alijares Graciano Autor sees 12 months in new French and American oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet that is more precise than the regular bottling, while the palate is very well-structured, with succulent ripe cherries, blueberry and vanilla pod. It is supremely well-balanced and shows off Graciano as well as any other Spanish wine I have encountered. Simply delicious. Drink now-2018.”
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