Sometimes people make fun of me for storing empty bottles of wine.
I try some wines, life gets in the way and I did not have a chance to mention them, that's all.
Maybe there's something about holding the object (in that case a bottle) in your hands while trying to share what you liked about it.
Thursday is recycling day so I decided to do a little bit of clearing up with a Spanish wine trio.
Let's start with the Petit Grealo 2004 from Costers Del Segre (Sero Subzona Artesa) between Lleida and Tarragona in Catalonia.
A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is rich, dark, mysterious and unoaked and since I got it for around $11 Bucks a steal.
Without giving it much thought, I grabbed the Castillo de Almansa 'Garnacha Tintorera' (2007) .
I believe it is 100% Garnacha Tintorera, a major grape in Almansa which Wines of Spain describes "as also known as Alicante, is so-called because it is the only variety, along with Alicante Bouché, which has coloured flesh (tintorera comes from the verb teñir = to dye). It is widely planted in Albacete, Alicante, Orense and Pontevedra."
No rosemary and parsley but hints of sage, a bit peppery which could please Zinfandel fans, a bit rough around the hedges.
Good with an unfussy, hearty meal (around $9).
Last red as in berries, Bodegas La Cartuja 2007 from Priorat in Southern Catalonia, another blend, this time of 50% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Got this one for $12.
Slate soil, some elevation, climate not too dry, big wine at 15% alcohol.
Not sure which I like best, this Priorat which grows on you more slowly or the Petit Grealo, a bit jammier…
I noticed lately that there are a lots of good buys to be had if you look around.
I even got 2 bottles of a nice Priorat for $12 recently (half price).
The wine store told me that they got a sweet deal on it and wanted to share it with their customers, a sign of inventory trimming at some distributors maybe…