Ruby Red Stars of Northern Spain
Three gems
For reviews of the white wines, please click here
Pittacum, Bierzo DO Spain, Mencía 2007, 14.5% abv, Importers: Classic Drinks.
This Pittacum, bottled in the spring of 2008, is the money-maker as some 180,000 bottles are filled. It is 100% Estate grown Mencía and is worth looking out for.
The fruit comes from 50 to 80 year old vines and it has a ruby red colour with a gorgeous aroma, plums and violets prominent. There is a hint of chocolate in among the velvety fruits on the palate and a terrific finish with vanilla showing. Highly recommended.
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Pittacum Aurea, Bierzo DO Spain, Mencía, 14% abv, Distributors: Classic Drinks.
This is even better, the fruit grown from very old vines in the heart of the DO. There is a complex intense nose, fruity and spicy. The flavours are lush: cherry, strawberry and plum.
It has spent at least 14 months in French oak, is silky and with a lengthy finish. You should really try and sample this special wine, which has limited production of just 15,000 bottles. Very highly recommended.
Quinta Sardonia, Castilla y Leon Spain, blend*, 15% abv, Distributors: Classic Drinks.
The very first sniff, and after that I tended to sniff before each sip, tells you there is a little magic in this bottle from Quinta Sardonia. The inviting aromas are both fruity and floral at the same time. Irresistible!
This is a concentrated and powerful wine, well rounded on the palate, where the fruits (cassis, cherry and plum) combine well and there are pepper notes and hints of vanilla from the sixteen months in oak.
This is undoubtedly one of the best ones I’ve tasted this year, beautifully integrated oak, tannins and acidity, with a full finish and a warm after-taste.
Beg or borrow or steal but do get your hands on one of those 44,000 bottles. Unlimited recommendation!
* Blend: 52% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec.
More: QUINTA SARDONIA is a member of the TERRAS GAUDAGroup and producer of high-end wines based on the principles of biodynamic agriculture.
The philosophy of this Ribera del Duero winery, set up under the guidance of Peter Sisseck, who was involved in the project design together with renowned French enologist Jerôme Bougnaud, is to develop unique wines that express all the richness of the terroir and that can be identified with the parcel where each variety is grown.
Just got an update on prices and locations for the reds and whites available here.
Abadia San Campo RRP €18.99 -€19.99
Stockists
Caviar House, Dublin Airport
The Woodford Bar, Cork
The Mill wine Centre, Maynooth
Boqueria, Cork
Pinocchio Restaurant , Dublin 6
Terras Gauda O Rosal RRP €21.00 -€22.00
Stockists
Farmgate Restaurant, Midleton
The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore
The Riverside Hotel, Killarney
Jacobs On the Mall, Cork
Pittacum Mencia RRP €17.99 - €18.99
Stockists
Ananda Restaurant, Dublin 15
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2
The Hotel Europe, Killarney
Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare