Cris's notes:
* 2004 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Petalos - Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo
Deep dark primary, notes of earth and smoke, pepper and violets. Light palate feel with some grip, medium concentration and nice minerality. Nice wine for the money and has some years ahead of it.
* 2002 Bodegas y Viñedos Castro Ventosa Bierzo El Castro de Valtuille - Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo
Old world styled nose with secondary characteristics ahead of the fruit including caramel, florals and dark sweetness. Concentrated palate with a bit of a bite and solid tannins. Nose more expressive than the palate. Has plenty of time ahead of it but drinking well now.
My notes:
- 2006 St. Innocent Chardonnay Anden - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Very nice. This needs a little time for the oak to integrate. Displays nice richness but miles away from buttery. Not fatiguing to the palate like many American chards.
- 2003 Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Very structured. I really liked this. A pretty serious Crianza. I took the remaining bit home but it had really closed up. Wait! - 2004 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
This started off smooth and with nice qualities from fruit to flowers. Coming back to it at the end of the lunch the tannins had really stepped up. This wine needs time. Less funky than some of the other Condados I have had. I think I just finished my last 96 that was just getting started. - 2004 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Crianza - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
This plain rocked. Lots of sweet red fruit. Balanced acid. Earth and mineral elements. For me this was showing the most complexity. This had been splashed decanted and then left open for a few hours. But I was still surprised how well this was drinking. May be a slightly younger drinker than I originally thought. I took a bit home and it was still drinking beautifully.
- 2004 Heron Terra Alta Sexto - Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Terra Alta
A nice surprise here. Not something I had ever seen. As Cris said it was slightly candied but the wine really worked well with the food. Not cloying and not overly oaked. - 2005 Melis Priorat Elix - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
This seemed to be the darkest wine of the day. Slightly brooding. Lots of oak showing and a bit of a green streak. Where the other wines all worked well with the food this one was a bit out of place. A very nice wine that may improve with some time.
One of my favorite tastings as here we were eating Pastrami sandwiches, fries and chili ... and all the wines worked.
Here is how they finished. It should be noted that the SI Chardonnay got at least 2 First Place votes, but we decided to exclude it from the voting.
1st Place - 2004 Pago de los Capellanes - 17 Points
2nd Place (tie) - 2003 Tinto Pesquera & 2005 Melis Priorat Elix - 12 Points
3rd Place - 2002 Bodegas y Viñedos Castro Ventosa - 10 Points
Cheers,
Jason