Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2006

The 2006 growing season for Ribera Del Duero in Spain could have turned out to be shocking.  What happened over this period started with normal flowering but during the period just after veraison, the heavens opened forcing a large amount of water to be soaked up by the wines.  Huge bunches resulted and could have meant that average wine would be the order of the day but mild temperatures for an extended period meant a hay day for wineries.  Large volumes of top quality wine all round meaning the wine consumer is the winner in the end.

Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2006

I thought I would see more oak in this wine but the flavours are firmly in the background yet I can feel that they have added a serious yet refined texture to this wine.  The seductiveness of the texture works perfectly with the dirtiness and floral overtones within the wine.  While the flavours are intense and in the darker end of the spectrum I am never overwhelmed by their nature.  Everything just seems to change and evolve as I thought it would yet i'm surprised every time they do.  It is almost like a Jack in the Box. I know what is coming and I'm excited when Jack pops out at the end.  What the Jack in the Box doesn't possess is the wealth of succulent tannins that unfolds from this wine.  They consume my tongue but never dominate or steal the show from the other parts of the performance.  Bravo!

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $150
Rated: 95
Drink: 2015 - 2030
Importer: Negociants

Bodegas Del Mundo Valdemoreda Tempranillo 2010

Now I can't find out much info regarding winery so I won't start off with a long winded intro.

Bodegas Del Mundo Valdemoreda Tempranillo 2010

This has a real spiky nose that invades and oscillates but in a steady and prickly nature. The nose does take away from the lovely meatiness with a hint of dried blackberries that comes through yet there is a burnt rubber component that puts me off. These flavours are the initial action that attacks my tongue then the palate becomes a bit dilute after that. This is a cheap wine that may work better with food but I may not reach for another sample.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $14
Rated: 83
Drink: Now

Bodegas Roda I 2005

Bodegas Roda I 2005

This is definitely a serious beast when you compare its stable mate.  It almost reminds me of a party I had at my neighbours place last summer when he had the BBQ cranked up and the meats flying off the hot plate. With this wine you also get violets, shoe polish and plenty of dark fruits rolled in a variety of Christmas spices.  This is supremely inviting stuff on the nose but the palate takes it up a level with the tannins staying until the end of the party. They are invasive yet inviting at the same time.  Whilst I could drink it now, be patient and you will rewarded handsomely.   

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $120
Rated: 94+
Drink: 2015 - 2027
Importer: The Spanish Acquisition

Telmo Rodriguez Delesa Gago Toro G 2005

This wine definitely gets me in the mood for a variety of meats. The grapes for this wine are taken from rediscovered bush vines in the Toro region in Spain. Once the grapes reach the winery they are treated with great care and consideration.  This is ferments naturally in cement casks and then transferred to predominately older oak for a year.  This is ready to go so if you have any get your teeth into them.

Telmo Rodriguez Delhesa Gago Toro G 2005

The alcohol dominates this a little but for what was an extremely dry year, the team at Telmo has pulled out a pearler. There are flavours in the dirty red spectrum but then quickly takes it up into the darkness with dark cherry cola, blackberry compote, dried licorice and an meaty complexity that is beguiling. The tannins spread out on your tongue while the flavours sits nicely in the medium to full bodied territory.

Alcohol: 15%
Price: $50
Rated: 91
Drink: Now to 2014

Vega Sicilia Valbuena 1999

The grapes for this wine were picked in two stages.  Once on the 10th of October and then the heavens opened dumping massively until the 26th to allow for the second picking on the 1st of November.  Was the wine affected? Most critics say this is a short term Valbuena when compared to its brothers.  If this is the short term version I would love to see what they can do in an average to good vintage.

Vega Sicilia Valbuena 1999

The wine is very relaxed and ready for action and so it should be at 12 years of age.  It actually has a funky earthy mushroom character that I get from good Burgundies but then moves into another gear with rustic red fruits and spice.    While the tannins are definitely there, I get the feeling that you could drink this whenever you want. The length is impeccable, in fact the whole package is darn beautiful.  

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $220
Rated: 94
Drink: Now to whenever
Importer: Negociants Australia

Bodegas Roda Reserva 2005

The Reserva label from Bodegas Roda is a little more open and approachable than the Roda I.  I would be happy to open this now without the feeling that I wasn’t gaining something by letting it sit in the cellar.  As Bodegas Roda was founded in 1987, I feel that they still have a bit of a way to go before they reach their potential.  That said they make astonishing wine at the moment.

Bodegas Roda Reserva 2005

The opens with a little cherry cola notes while the cranberry juice and plums build as the wine sits in the glass.  While I wouldn’t say that this is fruit laden, as there are smoky nuances and bunches of wild herb popping out at me, I do get the feeling that the scales are tipped that way.  Do I care? No not at all, in fact the balance between sweet and sour fruit is sublime, while the acidity adds a little something extra to the overall feel of the wine. 

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $85
Rated: 93+
Drink: Now - 2020

Importer: The Spanish Acquisition