Table 5 is a food friendly blend pairing perfectly with rich pastas, steaks and braised meats. The color is dark, deep purple and opaque with a nose of raspberry, blackberry and black licorice. The fruit follows through on the palate accompanied by chocolate, ripe black currant and the subtle toast of French oak. All of this is buttressed by firm tannins that provide a long and ethereal finish.
At the dawn of Roman Mythology, Neptune and his son, Triton, were gods of rivers and lakes and were depicted astride gallant stallions which represented waves upon the waters. The river Duero plays a very important role in the history of the wine. The ancient vines were planted in gravel strewn sandy soil created by the river. The wretched soil prevented infestations that devastated vineyards throughout the world. Today you can enjoy this elegant wine created from old vines of Tempranillo from the best areas in the south of Zamora province. Meticulously vinified in small lots and aged in the best French oak for fifteen months, the wine has a distinctive balance of ripe red fruit flavors and a delicate spiciness. A hint of dark chocolate completes the long finish.
Mencia is one of those interesting grapes that is just starting to gain the spotlight. A handful of DOs in northwest Spain produce the grape varietal, but the most famous is Bierzo. And one of the top producers in Bierzo is Castro Ventosa. The Perez family founded the estate in 1752 and has owned it ever since. They have 75 hectares and their best parcels are planted in the sandy soils of Valtuille de Abajo. Old vine fruit dominates here, with some pre-phyloxera vines that are more than 100-years-old. The oldest parcels are reserved for another wine so the Joven is made from the youngest vines, which happen to range from 20 to 40 years of age.
100% Mencia. Reveals an enticing perfume of baking spices, eucalyptus/pine notes, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a smooth-textured, sweet, forward wine with no hard edges. Drink this lengthy effort over the next several years.
The wine displays a variety of floral aromas, combined with white peach and a subtle hazelnut character. On the palate there is beautiful robust fruit and lively, citrusy acidity. This weighty fruit is fleshed out with a talc/mineral note and a dash of fresh ginger. A classic Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, the wine has plenty of weight on the palate from low yields, exceptional fruit concentration and crisp, refreshing acidity. With a long, clean finish, this wine is perfect with rich foods such as lobster and scallops, or other strongly flavored, spicy dishes.
This spring wine is an old family tradition starting over 100 years ago. The wine is made of a sweeter wine and steeped with dried Woodruff. This light sipper is perfect accompanied with a few slices of fresh strawberry and a touch of Champagne!
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