Valduero (and more) on sale

A long time importer friend of the Spanish Table here in California has called it quits and moved to Australia.  He’s given us first pick of his wines at amazing prices and we stocked up on a few choice items. These hearty reds are cellar worthy selections that will be available only while the limited supply lasts. Enjoy them tonight after a bit of breathing time (they respond amazingly well to a bit of air) or put them away for down the line. This is definitely a not to be missed opportunity.

2000 Valduero Reserva – 94 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, “The 2000 Reserva is a bit more refined than the Crianza but hardly a shrinking violet. The color is less dense and the nose is more expressive. There are notes of cedar, tobacco, scorched earth, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry which jump from the glass. On the palate the wine remains youthful with layers of flavor but also some elegance as well as power. The fruit is ripe and sweet, the tannins soft, and the finish lasts for at least 45 seconds.”   Regular retail is $39.99. While supplies last.  $23.99

2004 Valduero Crianza – Valduero is one of the older wineries in Ribera del Duero and continues to make a more traditional styled Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.   We’ve bought the last 30 cases of the 2004 Crianza and for good reason.  Floral blackberry, smoke and star anise and a touch of pepper on the nose. Rich and full flavored with sweet black cherry, chocolate, and cinnamon.  Lasting flavors of baking spice, black fruit and good acidity on the finish.  This is still young and will drink well for the next couple of years easily. Regular retail is $28.99. While supplies last. $17.99

2004 Sangenis I Vaque Vall Por Priorat – Sangenis I Vaque was founded back in the late 70’s but the vineyards have been in the Vaque family since the 1700’s.  Their vineyards, which are organically farmed are located around the town of Porrera and are primarily the famed black slate (licorella) that has made Priorat famous.   A stellar vintage, this is tightly wound and a decant makes this shine.  Spicy blueberry, chocolate and plumcake on the nose.  Velvety & silky with dense, palate coating flavors of dark chocolate, plum and blueberry, anise and a mineral edge.  Bright acidity and lingering notes of mineral and sweet blueberries on the finish. Regular retail $31.99. While it lasts. $17.99 Bodegas Ithaca Joseph Puig is the man behind the Priorat winery called Bodegas Ithaca.  Puig is an avid inventor and is well-known throughout Spain for his numerous patents (the cantilevered cork screw, for instance) as well as his fascination with the tale of Odysseus.  His wines in have always done well at the Spanish Table but  due to a change of Importers (same story as Valduero in the adjacent column) Bodegas Ithaca has been in short supply. A new importer has started bringing in new vintages. Meanwhile, here are some choices from previous vintages that will disappear quickly at these prices. 2006 Penelope Garnatxa Peludo – I really like the fact that this late harvest wine is only a touch sweet. Notes of black cherry, rose, spiced cranberries and blood orange.  Good natural acidity, this is an excellent option for upcoming holiday dessert wine. 500ml bottle. Regular retail $34.99. Now $19.99 Limited 2006 Penelope Garnatxa Blanca – This is the other option, but done with the white grape.  Again just slightly sweet, this leans towards honey and white peach, apricot blossoms, a touch of mint and good minerality.  Round and full on the palate. 500ml bottle. Regular retail $34.99. Now $18.99 Limited. 2007 Odysseus Pedro Ximenez Blanco – This is a unique dry white wine in that Pedro Ximenez is most often found raisined and pressed to make an extremely sweet Sherry.  This is totally dry and has notes of apricot, tangerine, a bit of lemon and white flowers.  Good minerality and good acidity. Only 150 cases made. Regular retail $35.99. Now $19.99 Limited.

Sense Of Place

Welcome back to our continuing Spanish wine round up. This week the glory that is Spanish regionalism is in full effect as we hopscotch around this diverse land tasting wines of all types and styles. This week the ever changing selection of new vino at The Spanish Table includes some traditional and familiar names, but also several white and red wines from parts of Spain that are only recently getting their fair share of attention. Each of these wines express the character and style of their respective regions. Read on to discover a half dozen uniquely delicious wines that will compliment your meals, excite your intellect and inspire your imagination.

Benaza Godello 2008 Benaza marks our first foray into the Monterrei region in Northwestern Spain. Mostly Godello with small additions of Doña Blanca and Treixadura, this white wine displays gentle aromas and flavors of white peach supported by slatey minerality. If you have enjoyed Albariño from Rías Baixas, this Monterrei region Godello should be your next new wine experience. $13.99

Talai Berri 2008 The 2008 Talai Berri Txacolí is now in stock. Lean minerality, tart citrus fruit character and slight effervescence combine to create a precise and intriguing white wine fashioned from the Basque grape called Hondarribi Zuri. Perfect summertime refreshment. $21.99

Odysseus Garnacha Blanca 2008 The new vintage of Odysseus Garnacha Blanca has just arrived. This white from DOC Priorat is initially dense and floral, then the mineral structure kicks in and balances the richness. This layered, complex wine is made in tiny quantities by the father and daughter team of Josep and Sylvia Puig at their Viñedos de Ithaca winery in Gratallops. $26.99

Finca Viladellops 2005 Vinícola Viladellops is a small family winery located in the DO Penedès village of Viladellops near Olèrdola and dates back to 1875. Finca Viladellops 2005, the flagship of this winery, is composed of 40% Garnacha along with 30% Syrah and 30% Marcelan (a French hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha).  The addition of Syrah and Marcelan adds structure to the bright, cherry-like Garnacha. Savory barrel tannins are well integrated, with tart fruit character and flinty minerality coming forward as the wine opens. $18.99

Viladellops Garnacha & SMC 2006 The second wine from Vinicola Viladellops is composed primarily of Garnacha along with small additions of Syrah, Merlot and Cariñena (the ‘SMC’ of the title). The grapes in this rocky section of DO Penedès tend toward a lean, savory style which emphasizes the mineral notes in the wine as well as bright fruit character. $11.99

Ysios Reserva 2002 Ysios, the newly built bodega, designed by Santiago Calatrava and located in the Rioja town of Laguardia, makes only ‘Reserva’ level wines. Long slow maturation in oak barrels followed by several years of bottle age are requirements for Reserva Rioja. Estate grown Tempranillo is used exclusively here. The wine spent 14 months in barrel and has been in the bottle ever since. Over time the wine has taken on a light patina of age, delivering elegant, fully integrated barrel character and smooth, lightly oxidized fruit. This wine, normally twice this price but put on sale by the distributor to make room for the arrival of the new vintage, is available briefly here while the supply lasts. $14.99

A Plateful Of
Paella Wisdom

Steve Winston is coming down from our flagship store in Seattle to make paella and sign copies of his new book. This is your chance to meet the man who started The Spanish Table and chat with him about all things related to the culinary traditions of Spain and Portugal.
Steve is a veritable treasure trove of food and wine esoterica. He has accumulated much of this knowledge in his new cook book. Stop in on Sunday August 9th at 1 pm (or Saturday August 8th in Mill Valley) to quiz him on what (and where) to eat in Spain and Portugal. While you are here you can sample his famous Paella and pick up a signed copy of The Spanish Table Cookbook.
¡Buen provecho!