87/B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 10 Mar 2009
Deep ruby core and rim. Bright ripe cherry and roasted plum aromas are surrounded by warm caramel, chocolate and a hint of sage. Ripe fruit on the front palate with lush black cherry and plum dominating. The fruit drops a bit on the mid-palate as tannins build. Blackberry and baking spices come in on the finish.
91/A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Feb 2009
Dark ruby core with a tiny garnet rim. Sweet black and red cherry fruits lurk under bright, expressive wild flowers, a touch of sage and ripe plum. Chalky and bold tannins support the body of the wine. A core of dark chocolate, earth and minerals are surrounded by sweet black cherry and plums. Chewy and full-bodied with a long, lingering mocha finish.
90/B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Feb 2009
Medium ruby core with a wide garnet rim. Still very young, but the aromas are showing the wine is beginning to integrate and evolve. Spicy cedar surrounds sweet leather and dried herbs. Blackberry and black cherry fruit lurk beneath the spices and are accented by an edge of charcoal. Powerful, chalky tannins on the palate. Raspberry, red cherry and plum flavors mix with chocolate and a touch of smoky game. Wet stones and earth linger on the finish.
A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
90/B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Mar 2009
The wine is an opaque deep purple in the glass surrounded by a tiny bright ruby rim. Warm, rich and opulent aromas of blackberry and chocolate are wrapped in crème de cassis and accented by a touch of wet stone. Black cherry and cassis jump on the front of the tongue, and are nicely balanced by the acid. Ripe, soft tannins support the body yet make it approachable now. A touch of cedar and toasty vanilla come in on the finish.
A blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22.5% Petite Sirah. Aged for 18 months in 100% new French Oak barrels.
89/B+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 29 Jan 2009
Dark purple core with a bright ruby rim that stains the glass. Big aromas of blackberry and blueberry are lifted from the glass by a crushed rose petal note, all surrounded by dark wet stone, game and a touch of smoke. Very floral on the palate with dark charcoal and chocolate notes rushing in around ripe blackberry. Great acid on the mid-palate and a spicy, creamy, nutmeg and vanilla finish.
The acid core of this wine screams for food while the dense, dark, smoky fruit says “whatever you eat, make steak and put it on the grill.” Garnacha (Grenache) is the staple of the Calatayud region in northeast Spain. Recent developments in winemaking (fermenting in steel, aging in new oak) have changed the local style to a more robust, clean and powerful red. The Atteca is a great example of this style, and by using old vines (80-120 years) they get intensity of flavor while maintaining fantastic balance. Grenache of this intensity from just a few miles further northeast (such as Chateauneuf du Pape) would easily cost twice the price.
92/A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 18 Jan 2009
Deep ruby core with a paler rim and slight garnet highlights. Clean fruit and spice aromas of plums, cinnamon and black cherry with a rustic earth, stone and leather quality, all accented by roasted coffee. Fairly full bodied in the mouth with intense flavors of smoky plums and roasted black cherries backed by spicy black pepper, coffee, nutmeg and baker’s chocolate with a hint of wild game.
This is an intense, complex wine. 2004 is sandwiched between two more critically acclaimed vintages. As a result, many great Provence wines from 2004 were overlooked, and this is a real hidden gem. While not a cheap wine, it is powerful and well balanced, and will impress any aficionado. Showing well now, but likely to continue getting better for another couple of years. A blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
88 / A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Feb 2009
Medium ruby core with just a hint of pink on the rim. Full, fruity aromas of blackberry, sweet plum and black cherry underscored by leather, cocoa and a touch of dusty earth. Lush on the palate with bold acid making it a great food wine. Just a few very ripe tannins and a nice medium body. Spicy plum and black cherry fruits are matched by earth, violets and sweet leather with lingering vanilla, chocolate and cedar on the finish. Very easy to drink; lush and tasty.
90 / A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Jan 2009
Inky purple core with a bright fuchsia rim. Dark boysenberry with blackberry notes on the nose, followed by a touch of mint, light toasty oak, nutmeg and cedar spice all surrounded by violets and crushed stone. Dark and thick on the palate with juicy blackberry, blueberry and crème de cassis flavors. Medium (+) acid with medium ripe/fine tannins. A touch of smoke, vanilla and baker’s chocolate join the dark fruit on the finish. Still very young and primary, but with enough fruit and structure to age. Drinks well now, and should go at least another 5 years.
Made from 100% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in new (65%) and second use French oak barrels. 1439 bottles produced.
88 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 May 2008
Dark core with a thin purple rim. Chocolate and caramel with light blackberry, flint and a faint earth and spicy herb aromas. Lush fruit on the palate entry with just a hint of spicy herbs. Good balancing acid with a rich, chocolaty finish.
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