Posted by Kenan Hester, CSW (@Vinokeno)

So here we go with our first HWM Tasting Recap! This will be a new tradition. Each week on Friday and Saturday, we will recap our tastings and tell you a little bit about each wine we tried. If you miss the tasting, this will be a great place for you to get “the skinny” on what you missed.

Today we tasted some killer little Spanish beauties from the Stephen Miles Selections portfolio. You will remember today’s last wine, the Huerta Albala Barbazul, from April/May’s Wines of the Month offerings. That wine was a huge hit with our customers, and these are some more of the gems from this groovy portfolio that we’ve discovered since then! Let’s get straight to the wines we tasted today. One white, five reds… and it went something like this:

First Wine:
2010 Pazo Barrantes Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) $17.99
This Albarino isn’t actually one of the Stephen Miles Selections, but we had to at least taste one white, so we threw it in the mix for good measure. This is a little bit more round than your typical Albarino. Think more along the lines of slightly bitter pear notes versus the citrus that you typically see from this varietal. The mineral is the there, and a little bit of that salty sea-spray thing that you expect from Albarino. It has a little funkyness to it, not my particular favorite Albarino, but several expressed that they liked it this evening. It reminded me of a lot of Torrontes that I’ve had, so if you like those Mendoza Torrontes wines, chances are you’ll really dig this.

Second Wine:
2009 Pasion de Bobal (Utiel-Requena, Spain) $15.99
This little beauty was a bit of a surprise for many of us, being made from a grape that was all but passed off as good for producing nothing more than cheap jug wine. Bobal is the name of the grape; I’ve heard about it before when studying, but this was the first one I had tasted. It was a smash hit tonight, and agreed by most to be the favorite of the tasting! It starts with brooding cherry pie aromas with just a touch of perfume, reminiscent of Grenache in that manner. The palate is medium bodied, and well-balanced with both red and dark fruits, just a touch of acidity lifting it and framing in the structure. This is a very nice drink!

Third wine:
2009 Matiz Roble (Ribera del Duero, Spain) $15.99
I remember this wine from the first time I tasted it about 2 months ago. 100% Tempranillo, and what an awesome little value from the Ribera del Duero! It’s super earthy on the nose with some spice in the background. A dark colored wine with lots of dark fruits on the palate and plenty of big chewy tannins on the finish. This is an awesome weeknight dinner wine to go alone with anything from burgers to steaks.

Fourth Wine:
2009 Pieque Tinto Mencia (Bierzo, Spain) $13.99
This little Mencia was quite the surprise of the night. I think it was my personal favorite, perhaps. You just don’t see Mencia of this quality and complexity at this pricepoint. We’ve had lots of success with Mencia as a variety here in the shop this year, and this one will certainly see lots of action. Dusty cocao and earthy manure on the nose (very pleasing and quite fragrant). Round and bright, with just enough acidity and a touch of tannin to wrap things up. This makes an awesome food pairing wine, but stands alone very well too. I’m thinkin Chicken Enchiladas with Mole sauce would be awesome!

Fifth Wine:
2008 Hispanos Suizos ‘Bassus’ Pinot Noir (Valencia, Spain) $39.99
What?! 100% Pinot Noir from Spain??? Let the shock wear off a little bit, then have some fun with this one. Not your typical Pinot, more full bodied certainly. That being said, this is one that needs air. You’re going to notice more of those “Pinot” qualities after it’s had some time to breathe. That being said, it was generally agreed that everyone liked it quite a bit. I’m re-tasting it now a couple hours after it’s been open and the acidity is singing now, whereas it seemed more round before. I officially dig Spanish Pinot Noir. “Who woulda thunk it?!”

Sixth Wine:
2008 Huerta Albala Barbazul (Tierra de Cadiz, Spain) $14.99
Last, but certainly not least… a fan favorite around here. Barbazul is a blend of Tintilla de Rota, Syrah, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. I was shocked to read the back label and find that it is 15% ABV, cause this little puppy is balanced and drinkable. Quite drinkable actually! Earth and fruit together on the nose with no burn whatsoever. On the palate the wine is balanced with more red fruits than dark.. think red berries. The finish keeps going for a while. Yepp, still like this!

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight! Great to see you all as always, hoping you will start chiming in here in the comments. Leave us your own recap!  The wines from tonight’s tasting are on the shelf, so come check em out!

We will see everyone tomorrow to taste the wines from DeSante in Napa. One of my favorite ’07 Napa Cabs in the house and a super groovy Sauv Blanc that comes from the only true Old Vines of Sauvignon Blanc planted in Napa. We’re joined by Gretchen Reeves with Vintage Select Wines for our tasting, guaranteed good times on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon… Cheers!