Spain: Old Vines -- New Wines, Toronto, June 17, 2008

The Time and Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008   Noon – 5 PM
The Event: Spain: Old Vines – New Wines
The Venue: Hart House, Great Hall
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: 81 wineries participated. Most wines were
available on the GL, Vintages or by Consignment. The catalogue was
impeccable, with full ordering information, regions, CSPC numbers, and
prices.
The Quote: "Many wine writers never got a VIP invitation to attend the
noon to 2 PM showing; this invite would have been particularly useful
since there was an Ontario wine show from 2PM to 4PM".
The Wines: My wife and I were having lunch at the Gallery Grill, just
above the Great Hall. It was my 30th wedding anniversary, and I had
plans to go to neither the Spanish nor the Ontario tasting (sorry,
guys, I have a life too). I dropped in for about 15 minutes only
because the show was just steps away. I ended up tasting some quality
wines, and stayed for 40 minutes. My wife – the Beautiful American –
had to come in and drag me away…Consequently, I only tasted a few
wines. There were a whole slew of wines at Iberowine Canada and at
Kylix, but I had absolutely no time left. Here are the best of the
wines I did taste:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Hermanos Pecina Tinto Gran Reserva 1998 Rioja +915909 $49.95 Le
Sommelier
-Miguel Torres Vina Esmeralda 2007 $12.95 Pacific Wine and Spirits
-Adrada Ecologica Kirios de Adrada 2006 Ribero del Duero $19.95 Living
Vine
-Antonino Izquierdo 2005 Ribera del Duero $78.90 Classics
-Antonino Izquierdo 2006 Ribera del Duero $78.90 Classics
-Terroir al Limit L'Arbossar 2005 Priorat $98.95 Living Vine
-Bod. Tobias Rioja Reserva 2003 +107168 $35 TWC Imports

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Julian Chivite Coleccion 125 Reserve 2001 Navarra +702431, $45.95
Churchill Cellars
-Hermanos Pecina Tinto Crianza 2000 Rioja +132158 $24.75 Le Sommelier
-Mas Estela Quindals 2005 Ampurdan-Costa Brava $27.95 MCO
-Mas Estela Selva del Mar 2004 Ampurdan-Costa Brava $40 MCO
-Miguel Torres Celeste 2004 Ribera del Duero +672691 $19.95 Pacific
Wine and Spirits
-Miguel Torres Salmos 2005 Priorat $32 Vintages Aug 30
-Adrada Ecologica Kirios de Adrada 2005 Ribero del Duero $34.95 Living
Vine
-Terroir al Limit Dits del Terra 2005 Priorat $108.95 Living Vine
-Torroja de Terroir al Limit 2005 Priorat $66.20 Classics Nov.
-Bod. Joan d'Angeura Bugader 2004 Montsant +941657 $56 TWC Imports
-Bod. Tobias Rioja Crianza 2004 +980168 $24 TWC Imports
-Gonzalez Byass Beronia Crianza 2005 Rioja $15.80 Woodman Wines &
Spirits
-Gonzalez Byass Beronia Mazuelo 2004 Rioja $20 Woodman Wines & Spirits

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Hermanos Pecina Tinto Reserva 1999 Rioja +915891 $33.65 Le Sommelier
-Navarrsotillo Magister Bibendi Crianza 2004 $17.95 Living Vine
-Bod. Joan d'Angeura Finca L'Argata 2005 Montsant +100031 $30 TWC
Imports
-Bod. Joan d'Angeura La Planella 2006 Montsant +100056 $21.50 TWC
Imports
-Vizar Roble 2006 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon +179175 $23 TWC
Imports

 

The Food: cheese, breads, fruit, marinated mushrooms, chicken cooked in
sherry, salads.
The Downside: at 1 PM, the VIP session was very lightly attended. The
only other wine writer I saw was Sheila Swerling-Puritt. There were no
pre-printed badges for either of us.
The Upside: there was plenty of room, and I had everybody's undivided
attention.
The Contact Person: prandolph@mcx.es
The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 83.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com