June 2024. Pippa Hayward, Spain beyond Rioja

 

Pippa returned to present a nice selection of Spanish wines, deliberately not Rioja.  Pippa consults for, and occasionally works at the Good Wine Shop in Teddington/Twickenham. Half the wines presented are from The Wine Society, half from The Good Wine Shop 

Whites:

Pazo de Villarei Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, 2022 -13%, £11.95 – The Wine Society.

Very fresh and well balanced – 8/10

 

Loxarel "Cora" Blanco, Penedès, Catalunya, 2022: Muscat de Alexandria, Xarel Lo - 12%, £16 – The Good Wine Shop

A “deckchair” wine – for savouring on its own, in the sunshine, in a dechair. Very definite muscat notes, but quite dry. – 7/10  

 "Maruxa" Godello, Valdeorras, Galicia, 2022, 100% Godello.14%, £11.95 – The Wine Society

Godello is a less common grape variety, could be mistaken for an unoaked  Chardonnay. Quite full bodied, less acidic. Good – 9/10 

 Viños López La Bodegaza Blanco, Valdejalón, Aragon, 2020, 100% Grenache Blanc.13.5%, £16 – The Wine Society.

Not for me, I’m afraid. Something of a musty nose, no freshness. 6/10.

 Reds

 Reverte Abrazos Garnacha, Ribeja Baja, Navarra, 2022, 100% Garnacha - 13.5%, £13.50 – The Good Wine Shop

Quite light, but with some spiciness. Good. 8/10

Pittacum Mencia, Bierzo, Castilla y León, 2019, 100% Mencia.14.5%, £20.50 – The Good Wine Shop

Very dark but not tannic. Very smooth. Full bodied. Lovely. 9/10

Bodegas Vizcarra, Laran Laran Roble, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, 2022, 100% Tempranillo.14.5%, £20.25 – The Good Wine Shop

Full bodied but easy drinking, Some oak. Damson & plum flavours. Another good one. 9/10

 Fuentes del Silencio Las Jaras. León, Castilla y León, 2019, 60% Mencía, 30% Prieto Picudo, 10% Alicante Bouschet 13.5%, £19 (2020 vintage) – The Wine Society

As above – another goody…