Wine Drop-In | Friday 29 March 2013

Ramon Bilbao ‘Limited Edition’ Crianza Rioja  STYLE Red AROMA Strawberries, floral hints, tobacco, plums, vanillaPRODUCER Ramon Bilbao ACIDITY MediumCOUNTRY Spain TANNIN MediumREGION Rioja BODY FullGRAPE 100% Tempranillo FLAVOUR Matches nose. Classic Rioja oak appears on palate. VINTAGE 2009 PRICE £37.50

Selling PointsFounded in 1924, a very old-school Rioja producer from the best region within Rioja, Rioja Alta (the higher situated one). The finest Tempranillo grapes are selected for this wine from Finca Valpierre which is 600m altitude. Hand sorted. Aged for 14 months in French and American new oak, a further 10 months in bottle. Tasting NotesIntense dark cherry, Prunes in liqueur, ripe blackberries, exotic wood like sandalwood, Cherry and orange peel with slight mineral and savoury finish.

Food MatchingFood with spice like Pickles, Belly Ribs and Royal Bream and Mussels. Meat wise, particularly smoked cuts work well Sirloin, Rump, Rib Eye. Notes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Urbina Seleccion Rioja 1999 STYLE Light Red AROMA Dried fruit, subtle coffee and cinnamonPRODUCER Urbina ACIDITY LowCOUNTRY Spain TANNIN SoftREGION Rioja BODY Light/MediumGRAPE 95% Tempranillo,5% Mazuelo y Graciano FLAVOUR Raisins, prunes, vanilla, tobacco, smooth VINTAGE 1999 PRICE £45

Selling PointsVery fine producers in the Rioja Alta (arguably the highest quality sub-region within Rioja). Their wines are made for long ageing, and are largely produced without the use of pesticides and other chemical nastiness. Tasting NotesPerfectly mature and smooth, with notes of coffee, Christmas cake, tobacco, prunes and cinnamon. Light and delicate, with great length and poise.

Food MatchingBelly ribs, all fish, Rump, Chateaubriand Notes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Wine Drop-In | Friday 29 March 2013

Ramon Bilbao ‘Mirto’ Rioja  STYLE Medium Red AROMA Well-developed, tobacco, cassis, chocolatePRODUCER Ramon Bilbao ACIDITY MediumCOUNTRY Spain TANNIN MediumREGION Rioja BODY FullGRAPE 100% Tempranillo FLAVOUR Blackcurrants, chocolate, plums, toasted cedarwood VINTAGE 2006 PRICE £70

Selling Points2006 saw severe heat and drought. The grapes developed more intense colour than previous years, resulting in a more ripened, more rounded wine that highlights its customary freshness. The Mirto spends 24 months in new French Allier oak casks with a toasting level specifically determined for the vintage. The wine is bottled without being subjected to any fining or filtering.. Tasting NotesFloral bouquet, blackcurrants, plums, chocolate powder, leafy, juicy depth and fresh concentration. The aftertaste lasts pleasantly with a well-assembled finish, expressive and persistent..

Food MatchingFillet, T-bone, Caviar, Mushrooms, Greens, Creamed Spinach, Pearl Barley Notes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Traslanzas Tempranillo STYLE Full Red AROMA Intense forest fruit, oakPRODUCER Traslanzas ACIDITY HighCOUNTRY Spain TANNIN StrongREGION Cigales BODY FullGRAPE 100% Tempranillo FLAVOUR Spice, dark fruit VINTAGE 2008 PRICE £55

Selling PointsCigales is located on the banks of the river Pisuerga, which lies at the heart of the Castilla y Leon autonomous community of Spain; it’s considered to be an up-and-coming wine region. It was awarded DO (Denominacion de Origen) status in 1991. Despite the relative recentness of the DO, this region has a long and proud history of wine making and its landscape is adorned with castles. Tasting NotesSpices, blackberry, forest fruit and well integrated oak; the tannins are present on the palate but supple and smooth on the finish

Food MatchingThe spicy and black fruit flavours require a rich dish, a juicy meat to contrast the dryness of the tannins (like a rib-eye). Notes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….