About the Region ...
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| Today opened with a slide show seminar introducing all in attendance to the region of Navarra, Spain, entitled: "The Wines of Navarra, WOW!" and labeled as the "first significant promotion of our wines" in Canada. |
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| When talking about the region the one thing that gets everyone excited is the food, and that's pretty much where they began. |
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| Then they moved on to the main facts about the region: like it is one of the oldest DO in Spain (1933) and there are 2500 growers and 100 wineries |
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| The region is still primarily using indigenous grapes which helps to make their wines unique. |
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| There was a breakdown of red and white wines and the varieties used; note the 90% red and only 10% white wines produced. |
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| Another interesting fact is the amount of Rose produced in the area (30%) |
The Wines of Note ... (in no particular order)
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| Bodegas Albret 2009 Abret Vina de mi Madre 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot 21 months French oak, 27 months in bottle Nice richness of fruit with black and blue berries along with mocha and cinnamon (****+) |
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| Bodegas de Monjardin 2008 Reserva Seleccion 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Tempranillo 2.5 years in oak Simply lovely with mocha, anise, cassis, blackberry and the grit of heavy tannins - this one still needs time (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas de Monjardin 2012 Chardonnay Barrique, Barrel Fermented 100% Chardonnay - 4 months on lees in French oak Vanilla notes really come through on the palate, while the nose says fresh, tropical and chalky (****) |
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| Bodegas de Monjardin 2011 Coupage Seleccion, Crianza 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot 12 months in oak Straddles the line nicely between oak and fruit with good tannins on finish; gritty yet still quite approachable (****) |
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| Bodegas Inurrieta 2013 Orchidea 100% Sauvignon Blanc - unoaked Lots of Sauvignon Blanc character: citrus and some tropical notes with a really fresh finish (*** 1/2) |
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| Bodegas Inurrieta 2013 Mediodia Rosado 33% Garnacha, 22% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 14% Graciano, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Tempranillo 4 months tank aged on lees Quite the kitchen sink blend here; aromas of a fresh berry bowl of fruit yet maintains a lovely dry finish (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas Inurrieta 2011 Norte 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot 6 months in French oak Gentle use of oak shows the fruit forward nature of this wine (*** 1/2) |
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| Bodegas Ochoa 2013 Calendas 70% Viura, 23% Chardonnay, 7% Moscatel - no tank or barrel information given - Love the tropical fruit nose, very aromatic lots of grapefruit cocktail and lemon zest (*** 1/2) |
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| Bodegas Ochoa 2011 Tempranillo, Crianza 100% Tempranillo 12 months in American oak This wine is all fresh red fruit with a little weight (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas Ochoa 2007 Reserva 55% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot 15 months in a mix of French and American oak Smooth and silky with lots of red fruit along with hints of blueberry and spice (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas Ochoa 2007 8A Origens Stunning Stones, Reserva 70% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 14 months in both American and French oak There's some heft to this wine, fruit driven with a mineral quality; good focus here with nice complexity and nothing overwhelms (****+) |
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| Bodegas Otazu 2009 Chardonnay, Oak Fermented 100% Chardonnay 9 months in French oak and 18 months in bottle Aromas of coconut husk and grapefruit zest; palate is pineapple core and vanilla; complex and fleshy with nice mineral component. Best white of the tasting (****+) |
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| Bodegas Otazu 2008 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Tempranillo 16 months in oak and 36 months in bottle Smooth and elegant mouthfeel with good acidity and pleasant, non-overpowering tannins, almost a creamy sensation on the mid-palate with creme de cassis and nice weight (****) |
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| Bodegas Principe de Viana 2013 Roble Tempranillo 100% Tempranillo 3 months in oak: 20% French / 80% American Juicy red berries with hints of blueberry (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas Principe de Viana 2013 Granacha Vinas Viejas 100% Garnacha 3 months in oak: 30% French / 70% American Blackberry, cassis, raspberry and juicy; needs about 20 minutes in glass to really blossom (****+) |
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| Bodegas Tandem 2011 Ars Invitro 90% Tempranillo, 10% Merlot 2 years in closed concrete vats with no oak aging fresh and fruity with good development of spice and tannin (*** 1/2+) |
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| Bodegas Tandem 2006 Macula Reserva 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 24 months in closed concrete vats then 26 months in French oak Surprisingly fresh for a 2006; nicely spiced, dark fruit, cassis with a kiss of wood, along with fine tannins; this one is ageable up the yin-yang. Best red of tasting (**** 1/2) |
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| A quick look back at the room before leaving ... event was held at Patria in Toronto |
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