143 Responses

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1. February 13, 2007

   Michael P

   Who’s the blond??

2. February 13, 2007

   eatapc

   P.S. I agree with TagWorld Brian above. I’ve had Conde de Valdemar many times. A very good budget wine.

3. February 13, 2007

   eatapc

   I definitely bought some of that Marques de Riscal from the OLD Wine Library store, but it wasn’t my first Rioja. I’m positive that my first Rioja was a Sangre de Toro, which was long considered one of the few reliable wines for under $10. When I was a grad student, Sangre de Toro was THE wine to bring to a party.

   The first Spanish wine that really hooked me, really knocked my socks off, was a Valduero Ribera del Duero Crianza. My favorite? Hmmm. Hard to say. I’ve had too many good ones. The Case de la Ermita Jumilla I had last night was pretty damned good. — Mark B

4. February 13, 2007

   TagWorld Brian

   Great rioja I’ve been drinking this week (coincidentally, Gary does a rioja show this week.. go figure): Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2001 rioja. $12.69 at my local Costco in Van Nuys, CA. Get a bottle. Goes great with dark chocolate, I’ve found.

5. February 13, 2007

   Lynne

   QOD: ‘03 El Nido Clio. Why? Because it was recommended by some really smart guy on some wine blog. (And it’s one of my favorites!) I’ve had some other Spanish…Bodegas Arrocal
   Ribera del Duero

6. February 13, 2007

   wine dog

   #1 – Bodegas Muga Rioja torre Muga 2000, served with turkey at Thanksgiving.
   #2 – 2004 Juan Gil Mouvedre, unbelievable texture and mouth feel.
   #3 – Finca Luzon Altos de Luzon 2004, fruit and fire.
   #4 – Panarroz Jumilla 2004, best everyday
   #5 – Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2003/4, the one that got me into Spainish wine

7. February 13, 2007

   Tony S.

   111th!! Or thereabouts. QOD #1: False. I’ve seen that wine around, but I’ve never had it. But, I don’t remember what the first Spanish wine I ever had was. QOD #2: The best Spanish wine I ever had was a 1968 Unico, Vega Sicilia. Dang. I was invited to dinner with a client while on business, and he decided to bring that bottle (as well as some other heavy hitters, but I don’t like bragging). Man, nothing will ever top that. As for the next Spanish wine, unless I try something at a tasting, I have some random cheap-o’s in my collection that’ll probably go soon. I can’t think of what they are, but they’re nothing terribly interesting–as far as looks go anyway, I could open one up and be blown away.

   OK…great episode. I’ve been digging Spanish wines, and I haven’t really had too many Rioja’s. OK, cool. See you later. Have a good day.
   T

   GO BEARS!!!

8. February 13, 2007

   Dan

   Gary V., you’ve outdone yourself… “laughing gas and rubber gloves’

   This is my first post ever here, but I just came to realize that Gary is the Alton Brown of wine. Foodies will know AB from FoodTV’s Good Eats and I’m sure I’m not the first to notice.

   Actually, there’s a great idea!! Pairing Gary V. with Alton B. on a FoodTV special!!

   Make it happen!

9. February 13, 2007

   rdechillo

   Could it be because you only have the 02 in stock?

10. February 13, 2007

    rdechillo

    Why taste the 02 Riscal, 02 is a vintage to avoid. Taste the 01 to give it a fair shake.

11. February 13, 2007

    Wil Neverspit

    Thanks Gary SPAIN-ER-CHUK…

    QOTD: I don’t think I have ever had a Spanish wine, nor do I have one in my current collection. Once again, you are expanding my horizons.

    But, help me… I couldn’t really tell, did you, or did you not, like the ‘02 De Riscal…?
    you were a little vague on that one.
    I wouldn’t want to drink anything that reminds me of the dentist anyway!

    Lastly, you really should have introduced her Gary, where are your manners?

12. February 13, 2007

    Joe in LA

    Thanks GV.Great episode. Seems maybe the pretty woman sitting there brought out the the best in you! Don’t they always!?

    …My first was a 94 ummm Faustino. I liked it.

    I loved the 01 Mauro Vendimia Seleccionada with the 01 Flor de Pingus right behind.

    Priorat’s next?

13. February 13, 2007

    mikeyrad

    QOD, Not sure if it’s my first Spanish wine, but Naia is the first that I remember, 2nd would be Juan Gil.

14. February 13, 2007

    Susan

    QOD- The 2001 Artazuri. Still have a few bottles for special occasions. The 2001 Las Rocas VV, which is wildly inconsistent, and the ‘03 and ‘04 as well. I agree with Susan and others about the Juan Gil Monastrell, the 2003 is also very good, and agree about the 2001 Muga Reserva Unfiltered. Another good Rioja is the 2001 Artadi Vinas de Gain. From Jumilla, the ‘03 or ‘05 Olivares Altos de la Hoya. From Bierzo, the ‘03 Jose Palacios Petalos del Bierzo and from Yecla the ‘03 Castano Solanera or Hecula. Cheers and great episode!

    Comment 103: By GottaGoDrink on February 13th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
    GottaGoDrink:
    Good to hear so many like Spanish wines. This also confirms that my local wine shop does know a thing or two.
    I will have to try more Spanish wines!
    

15. February 13, 2007

    GottaGoDrink

    Gary- The 2001 Artazuri Garnacha from Navarra, drank at a late dinner with friends after a great concert in April 2004, got me started on wine. My wife loved it and the mood was all there. A couple weeks later, my friend who had ordered the Artazuri at dinner showed up at our door with a gift of six bottles. I purchased a home wine fridge, made my first online purchase of 9 bottles of the controversial 2001 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas in May 2004, and was off into the wine world. I have bought hundreds of bottles from Spain, mostly at less than $15.
    QOD- The 2001 Artazuri. Still have a few bottles for special occasions. The 2001 Las Rocas VV, which is wildly inconsistent, and the ‘03 and ‘04 as well. I agree with Susan and others about the Juan Gil Monastrell, the 2003 is also very good, and agree about the 2001 Muga Reserva Unfiltered. Another good Rioja is the 2001 Artadi Vinas de Gain. From Jumilla, the ‘03 or ‘05 Olivares Altos de la Hoya. From Bierzo, the ‘03 Jose Palacios Petalos del Bierzo and from Yecla the ‘03 Castano Solanera or Hecula. Cheers and great episode!

16. February 13, 2007

    Southpaw

    GV,

    Nice work with this episode. Very informative and I will be trying some of these wines.

    QOTD: My favorite Spanish WHINE is, “Why is it so freaking hot in Madrid?”

    My question to you GV: Have you ever done a show loaded? That would make for some great TV. Have a good day my Guru of the Grape!

    I’m off to do the work of many.

17. February 13, 2007

    Jay

    I also question the bottle for your Riscal tasting. I’ve been drinking for many years, and my group along with me. We tried this very bottle less than two months ago. It was very pretty on the nose and extremely smooth on the palate. Had it twice more since then and each bottle was just as fine. In fact, the last time I had this, I was with a group of non wine drinkers and the comment that kept comming up was that it smelled seductive and sexy.

    Maybe a re-taste is in order? I remember thinking that it was indeed a short term drinker…. maybe excessive decanting time? Maybe another decanting episode like the amon ra?

    Anyway, I hope some of you out there take a chance on this wine and form your own opinions. Great? No. Awful? No… at least not in my opinion.

18. February 13, 2007

    Matthew L

    Nice episode Gary. I don’t recall the producer, by my first Spanish wine was actually an Albariño.

    Can you tell me what’s the story with the gold mesh stuff that’s wrapped around so many Spanish wines?

19. February 13, 2007

    Susan

    p.s.s.
    I usually can spell!
    Sorry about that!
    Here is the real name of the wine:
    1996 Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva
    

20. February 13, 2007

    Susan

    Michael-
    p.s.
    The 2001 Pratesi Carmione was not quite
    ready for prime time.
    I would give it another 2 – 3 years.
    I predict at that time it is going to
    blow your socks off!
    

21. February 13, 2007

    organicguy

    The best tasting rioja in the cellar is the ‘96 Torre Muga and will probably open it with a prime porterhouse, smashed new potatoes and fresh greens from the garden to celebrate Spring.

22. February 13, 2007

    luvgrapesqeezings

    From Jumilla I enjoyed the 04 & 05 Pannaroz and the 04 & 05 Luzon. Both under $10, they are made with Monestrel (aka Mouvedre in France) and Syrah.
    From Rioja I enjoyed the 95 Muga reserva and especially the 2001 Muga reserva (Wow!). A bottle of ‘98 Roda II rioja reserva that I enjoyed this past weekend was a very complex, polished and deliciously well made old world style wine.

23. February 13, 2007

    Susan

    In closing I also agree w/ the choices of Susan (#21); Juan Gil (Susan, if you enjoy the ‘04 see if you can locate an ‘02…it won’t disappoint), E-Rock (#40), Bill Ross (#56), Jack (#58) RE: Tres Picos Garnacha; consistent is a good word to describe this juice, one vintage to another. Lil Luce (#60) RE: 1996 Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva…it should be a treat. Enjoy! Your comments brought memories of the ‘89 that I had had the pleasure of drinking a few years back.

    Comment 76: By michael on February 12th, 2007 at 11:20 pm

    Michael -
    Thanks for the great tips!My local wine shop suggested the 2004 Juan Gil when I asked about Spanish wines(MarcT brought the 2001 Pratesi Carmione to our last NC get together). I will have to try the 2002 Juan Gil soon! and the Tres Picos Garnacha and the 1996 uga Jioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva. They both sound yummy also!
    

24. February 13, 2007

    Justmarsh

    Are you sure Erik isn’t just leaking laughing gas into the room to get you pumped for the show?

    QOD: I can’t wait to open a 1981 Montecillo Rioja Gran Reserva with some filet mignon later this month to celebrate my buddy getting engaged! Hopefully it won’t let me down…

25. February 13, 2007

    Tom T.

    Hey Gary,

    QOTD – ‘03 El Nido Clio.

    Thanks for another great episode. Gotta love how you tell it like it is.

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