Noland Brothers: Bob, James, Tom + Renee (no notes just votes) Blind Spanish Red Tasting
Food with tasting: Manchego cheese, Cheese fruit spread with blue cheese, cheddar cheese, cranberries, raisins, and nuts.
Wine A
Medium garnet red. Plummy nose with acetone and raisins followed by a touch of spice. Nice spicy ripe to overripe fruit (prunes) and nice acidity on the midpalate. Bob-slightly out of balance. Finish a bit short and simple with acidic overripe fruit.
With food: Good with Manchego just OK with fruit spread.
Wine B
Medium garnet red but less color than A. Nose of oaky plums with a hint of red raspberries. Midpalate of pretty red fruit, especially big tannins and good acidity. A medium finish of acidic fruit that tends to shut down because of big tannins and acidity. Bob – Creamy dark fruits. Starts to open up a bit on second taste and shows red currants but still big. May need more time.
With food: This wine needs food. Tasty with manchego. Even better with cheese fruit spread and James thinks this wine is its best match. Brings out the fruit taste in the spread.
Wine C
Medium garnet red a bit darker than B but lighter than A. Most interesting nose of the wines with slightly earthy and spicy dark fruit and cloves. Balanced midpalate of smooth tannins, luscious blackberry fruit, and juicy acidity. Medium long finish of acidic black cherry fruit. Bob – Soapy aspect to the nose with some fruit just hovering underneath. Nice balance but a little shy.
With food: Best match with Manchego. Really nice match with the cheese fruit spread as it brings out the ripe fruit in the wine.
Wine D.
Deep garnet red, darkest wine of the group. Best nose that sends sensations of earthy fruit (especially blueberries) leather and a hint of oaks. Wonderful bass notes in this wine’s aromatics. Great balance of earthy black raspberries, nice acidity and smooth tannins. A long balanced finish of rich dark fruit, refreshing acidity, and tingly tannins. Bob – earthy nose with saddle leather. Second try a beautiful evolving non-typical nose with depth.
With food: Manchego enhances the fruit in this wine making for a really nice match. Not a good match with the fruit cheese spread as the wine turns acidic.
Voting based on just initial tasting:
Tom: #1 Wine D, #2 Wine C (close second), #3 Wine B, #4 Wine A
Bob: #1 Wine D, #2 Wine C (close second), #3 Wine B, #4 Wine A
James: #1 Wine C, #2 Wine D, #3 Wine B (almost tied with D), #4 Wine A
Renee: #1 Wine C, #2 Wine D, #3 Wine B, #4 Wine A
Best overall by tasting: Tie of Wine D and Wine C based on a two 1st place and 2nd place votes for each, wine B second, wine A last.
With Food:
Wine D 1st (3 first place votes, one 2nd) Wine C 2nd, Wine B 3rd, and Wine A last.
Wines revealed:
Wine A: 2005 Rioja Crianza, Conde 13.5% abv Renee's wine.
Wine B: 2001 Rioja Reserva, Ontanon 13% abv 95% Tempranillo 5% Graciano 24 months in oak, My wine.
Wine C: 2005 Jumilla, Pico Madama 14% abv 50% Monastrell 50% Petit Verdot Bob's wine.
Wine D. 2006 Almansa, Loma Gorda Old Vines with 65% Garanacha and 35% Syrah 13% abv James’ wine. The Spanish wine king of the Noland Brothers.
All but wine A were very good to excellent. Wine A was good but bit overripe and simple and just paled in comparison with the other wines.
BTW, I am in 100% agreement with your "tell it like it is" philosophy. Another BTW,,, I am taking an '01 and '02 Finca Sandoval syrahs to Mo'Cool this year. Sure would be nice if you sneaked in to tell us about them,