Tasting Notes - Spain, Other

Bodegas Tradicion, Palo Cortado, 30 Year

Dark orange/amber colour, with a stunning, oxidised nose of bitter nuts, citrus, candied fruits and something else, maybe marzipan. The palate is light in body, and is equally stunning and complex, kind of a salty citrus, with apricots and lots of bitter nuts, almonds, on the finish; light and fresh, very enlivening actually, the sort of drink you could easily drink a lot of without realising what you are doing - stunning. In fact its so good it has to be worth a trip back to The Gage just for another glass.(05/10)

1996 Vega Sicilia Valbuena

Forward on opening warm smokey nose with sweet blackcurrant chessecake and vanilla - med density palette soft tannins restrained power and very high acidity - nicely structured but body and fruit diminishing after an hour and acidity becoming somewhat disjointed - initially lovely wine but jury's out - wait for 2nd bottle 

2006 Pazo Senorans, Albarino

Unfortunately well over the hill, the fruit has faded, and the acidity has diminished a little too, leaving a wine that is pretty flat and uninspiring. I've had 2 of these bottles in the last month, and they have both been the same - it just goes to show that it doesn't age at all, and it should be drunk soon after release. In its prime it was a good wine with plentiful melon, lemon and grapefruit notes and a lively freshness, but now it is tired and faded. (03/10)

2001 Clos Mogador

35% Garnacha, 35%C/S, 20% Syrah, 10% Carinena

Intense dark berry compote with a very attractive smokey minerality, dense concentrated fruit with a sweet but well integrated vanilla oak, very big wine without being jammy, nicely structured and fresh acidity. Quite open and expressive so a pleasure to drink now but with a lot of development to go.