Lovely, aromatic wine with juicy peach aromas and tons of floral and ripe pear and apple flavors.  The 2008 Naveran Dama Cava offers a rich, long finish.  Great sparkling wine at this price point.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay Blend

Region: Catalunya, Spain

Around $20

Made of three varietals, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, this Rioja is dark cherry ruby with a pale ring in the glass that reminds me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs.  On the nose are aromas of wet wood, stone fruits and vanilla.  On the palate, this lighter-bodied Spanish wine offers cherries, some rosy notes and a creamy, velvety mouthfeel with a slightly spicy, smooth, long finish.

Had this wine with a platter of cured meats and it was super.  Would be great with grilled meats such as pork or chicken and with heartier fish like swordfish.

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Around $10.

2005 San Roman Toro

Had been saving this wine for a special occasion and boy what a treat it was.  This Spanish wine is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and inky black in the glass screaming at you to grow a backbone and dare have a sniff and a sip.  The nose is intoxicating with loads of black, ripe fruit, smokiness and strong coffee.  In the mouth, it’s velvety, concentrated and offers juicy fruit and dark chocolate.  The 2005 San Roman Toro features supple tannins with a long, slightly-spicy finish.

Best Spanish wine I’ve had and in my top 50 list.

95 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Around $60.

The 2009 Santiago Ruiz is a blend of 70% albarino, 20% loureiro and 10% treixadura. This wine is straw yellow in the glass and offers a vibrant floral nose full ripe peach and lemons.  It is a well-balanced wine with many layers of intensity that could serve as an aperitif and also pair well with heavier shellfish.  This wine has a long and strong mineral finish.

Santiago Ruiz is known to many as the “Father of Albarino” and the 2009 is a great example of Albarino that’s affordable enough to be a go-to every day wine.

Around $20.

'09 Pazo Senorans

Although light in color, this wine from Rias Baixas is anything but that in bouquet and aroma.  Party in a glass is what you get from the first sniff.  Nose is vibrant and screams of honey, tropical notes with lemony undertones. The 2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino is intense, creamy and well-balanced with an enjoyable crisp finish.

Around $20.

'09 Ameztoi Rubentis

This beautiful pale pink wine is both light and bold!  Big mouthful of the typical strawberry one is familiar with in roses, but in this case, pungent wild strawberries.  The wine is creamy yet floral and contains tons of tiny bubbles that lead to a dry finish.  Nice as an aperitif, but could also hold up to a fattier fish like salmon. Actually had this wine paired with lightly seasoned lamb chops and it held up.

50% Hondarribi Zuri grapes and 50% Hondarribi Beltza.

Around $20.

'01 Ramirez de la Piscina

What a great example of a medium-bodied Spanish Tempranillo.  This aged wine is brownish brick in color with a spicy, earth-like nose.  The wine is concentrated with enjoyable vanilla undertones and rich berry flavors.  The only thing I was missing when I enjoyed this wine was a fabulous paella.

Around $20.