Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial ($30)

Abadia Retuerta first started producing wines in Spain in 1996. The winery and surrounding vineyards are on the former site of the 12th century Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery in Sardón de Duero. This land is just west of "The Golden Mile," a privileged strip of land where some of the most illustrious wineries reside. This relatively new winery has quickly forged a reputation for balancing the legacy of its surrounding, the monastery and its wine with innovative vineyard and winery practices.

This Selectión Especial (Special Selection) wine is a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% of Syrah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

Out of the bottle, one might expect a big, full-bodied wine from its dark ruby color and full bouquet. But, true to it Tempranillo base, it has many red fruit flavors such as cherry and strawberry, along with a bit of black fruit flavors of fig and raisin. This is complemented by a touch of leather and tobacco from its 13 months in French and American oak barrels.

This Spanish wine worth seeking out. By the glass or with a meal, its one you will enjoy.

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission:  I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Wild Horse GSM ($12)

This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM) from Wild Horse is medium-light in body with a soft mouthfeel, candied red fruit flavors, and light tannins. When served slightly chilled, at cellar temperatures, it's a very easy-drinking wine that goes well with light fare. This is a great value for such a nice wine.

While this is a Wild Horse flagship wine, look for more wines from Wild Horse in my up-coming reviews of some of their reserve wines. They're really nice and surprisingly affordable. Cheers!

 

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2014 Colomé Estate Malbec ($25)

Established in 1831, Colomé is located in the upper Calchaquí Valley in the Salta region of Argentina.

Colomé grows the world's highest elevation Malbec. The grapes used in making this wine are grown in four vineyards that sit at elevations ranging from 5740 feet to as high as 10,207 feet. These elevations produce thicker skinned grapes that yield robust flavors and ample tannin.

This 100% Malbec comes from 90 year old vines, is aged 15 months in French oak. What is immediately striking as you pour this wine is its extreme dark color. Then you get the aromas of black and red fruits. The intense rich fruit flavors, spiciness, firm tannin and acidity all work together to make this a very well balanced wine.

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission:  I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Manzanita Creek 8th Street Zinfandel ($12)

Manzanita Creek.jpg

Manzanita Creek is a super winery in the town of Healdburg in Sonoma County. And this 8th Street Zinfandel is a really nice one.  Great jammy flavors, easy tannin and just the right amount of oak to give it a bit of spiciness. The winery lists this wine at $30, but having found it for $12 seems like a steal.  So I went back for more!  This winery is sold out of this one, but if you can find a bottle, pick it up. You won't be disappointed! 

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2016 Amalaya Malbec ($16)

Amalaya wines was founded in Argentina in 2010 by Donald Hess of the Hess Family Wine Estates. The grapes are grown in the Calchaquí Valley in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range at altitudes as high as 5900 feet. This high altitude provides intense sun in the day and cool nights to produce concentrated fruit.

More than 75% of the world's production of Malbec comes from Argentina. This one, from Salta, is made from 85% Malbec and 10% Tannat and 5% Petite Verdot. One-quarter of the wine is aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. This lets the fruit flavors shine through with only a touch of oak flavors there to enhance the fruit.

This Malbec is a deep ruby red in color with nice dark fruit aromas of plum and black cherries. Cherry and Black Cherry flavors come right through along with a bit of peppery spice, moderate tannin, and a nice finish.

If you enjoy full-bodied red wines but prefer a bit less tannin, Malbec is for you. And this one from Amalaya is a fine one to choose!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission:  I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications