55481 Wine Society Spain 8pp - The Wine Society

THE BEST OFSPAINIncludes Everyday Reds from£4.95 per bottle, fine Rioja(including a focus on Contino),delicious new-wave whites,‘top drops’ from Ribera delDuero, Priorat, Toro and Alicante,and five mixed cases“ Spanish wine hasnever been better –from everyday drinkingto the top fine wines.”Pierre MansourESNOV11thewinesociety.com/spain

AN ABUNDANCE OF RICHES...Spain’s wine scene is sparkling. Its natural ingredients – ancientelevated vineyards, a warm, sunny climate and an assortment ofbrilliant local grapes – provide the perfect conditions for makingoutstanding wines. Add into the mix a dynamic generation of youngwinemakers, new technology and substantial investment and theresult is a country that consistently over-delivers on the world winestage. Spanish wine has never been better, from everyday drinkingto the top fine wines.The abundance of riches can be overwhelming however, so our offeris divided into five parts to ease navigation:■ Spain’s value is celebrated in the Everyday Reds section witheight wines which offer genuine Spanish character and flavourfrom just £4.95 per bottle on page 3.■ For Rioja (pages 4-5) this year we have selected the very best ofboth traditional and modern-style crianzas, reservas and granreservas, and spotlight the exceptional talents of Jesús Madrazo,winemaker behind the superb wines of Contino.■ Spanish fine wine is no longer simply Rioja and the Top Dropssection, page 6, includes serious examples from Ribera del Duero,Priorat, Toro and Alicante.■ We highlight the crisp, bright flavours of Spain’s new wavewhites and Cava on pages 6-7.■ And finally, we include two stunning Sherries, page 7.Generous supplier support has allowed us to provide dozen savingson a number of wines too, and five mixed cases (on page 5 and theback page) are there to help you enjoy as many flavours as possiblefrom this vibrant wineland.Pierre MansourSociety Buyer for Spain2 To order thewinesociety.com/spain ☎ 01438 740222

EVERYDAY REDS FROM £4.95Spain is an unbeatable sourceof inexpensive wines. Nativegrapes like tempranillo,garnacha and monastrellprovide drinkers with originalflavours that are uniquelySpanish and a joy to drink.Sabina Tempranillo, Navarra, 2010A polished, modern and unoakedtempranillo which is generously fruity andbalanced. Perfect on its own at parties orenjoy with a plate of jamón. 13.5%ref ES-SP6481 £4.95 bottle £59 dozenFinca Tempranal Crianza,La Mancha, 2007Quite different in style to Sabina, thistempranillo spends a year in oak, endowinga subtle spicy oak flavour to the wine.Dry, fragrant and chunky, this is a goodold-fashioned Spanish red. 14%ref ES-SP6621 £4.95 bottle £59 dozenCastillo del Baròn Monastrell,Yecla, 2010Monastrell (aka mourvèdre) adores theMediterranean climate in Yecla near Alicante.Castillo del Baròn is easy-drinking, vibrantand succulent with cherry-fruit flavour anda hint of pepper. 13.5%ref ES-SP6571 £5.25 bottle £63 dozen“If anyone asks where tofind the juiciest, chunkiest,most rip-roaring red winemouthful in Europe, I tellthem to look out for Garnachafrom eastern Spain”Oz Clarke’s 250 Best Wines2012 GuideCruz de Piedra Garnacha,Calatayud, 2010This little garnacha has quickly become oneof The Society’s most popular reds. Frommountainous vineyards in Calatayud (justsouth of Navarra), this is intensely fruity andexuberant. 14%ref ES-SP6471 £5.50 bottle £66 dozenNEW Artazuri Garnacha Tinto,Navarra, 2010A full-bodied and concentrated garnachawhich appeals for its juicy, lively fruitflavour; made with no oak by Riojaexperts Artadi. Now to 2014. 14%The dozen saving of £7 is thanks tosupplier support.ref ES-SP6841 £6.95 bottle£76 special dozen price£6.33 equivalent bottle priceLaderas de El Sequé, Alicante,2010Top Rioja producer Artadi is also behind thisexpressive, plump and slick red frommonastrell vineyards they own in Alicante.Brilliant value at the dozen discount price,which is thanks to supplier support.14% Dozen saving of £7.ref ES-SP6631 £6.95 bottle£76 special dozen price£6.33 equivalent bottle priceChivite Gran Feudo SelecciónEspecial, Navarra, 2007A mature, oaky and smooth-tastingtempranillo-cabernet-merlot blend whichhas been aged in French and US oak.Soft and round with a hint of tobacco.13.5% Low stock.ref ES-SP5831 £6.95 bottle £83 dozenThe beautiful landscape of NavarraNEW Avaniel, Ribera del Duero,2010This is a young, fresh and unoaked winefrom Bodegas Monteabellón which offers allthe intensity of flavour that has made Riberadel Duero so famous but at a jaw-droppinglylow price. 13.5%ref ES-SP6671 £7.50 bottle £90 dozenNEW Latria Garnatxa Carinyena,Montsant, 2006Surprisingly complex, smoky and lushgarnacha-carignan blend from Montsant onthe border of Priorat. The wine was destinedfor the main Malondro label (double theprice of this) but a cancelled domestic ordermeant the price was dramatically reducedand put under the second ‘Latria’ label toclear the cellars. Buy it while you can. 14%ref ES-SP6861 £7.75 bottle £93 dozenFREE UK deliverywhen you order at least12 bottles or if yourorder value is £75 or more3

RIOJARioja is Spain’s classic fine wineregion and today internationalinvestment and a youngergeneration have raised the bar toan unprecedented level. There isa sense of the old and the new inthis vast region which makes itsuch a fascinating choice for winelovers. As a result, Rioja is nowbeing made in a number ofdifferent ways which influencesthe taste and style of the finalwine. To help members we havesplit the wines into three styles:Traditional (T): fragrant, silkywines from long ageing in cask(usually American oak) andbottle; ready to drink on release.Modern-classical (MC): younger,rounder wines that retain thedelicious character of Riojathrough cask ageing (often a mixof American and French oak)with the structure to develop inbottle.Modern (M): richer, velvety winesaged for less time in newer(usually French oak), which arereleased earlier and mostly needkeeping.At La Rioja Alta regular tasting ensuresconsistency of styleThe Society’s Rioja Crianza (T)An authentic, old-style Rioja, just asmembers like it, which has been agedcarefully in barrel and bottle. Mellow,mature and silky with leathery, almostsavoury flavours. Now to 2013. 13%We find ourselvs rather overstocked and soare offering a generous £11 per dozendiscount to clear the decks.ref ES-SP6251 £6.95 bottle£72 special dozen price£6 equivalent bottle priceMarqués de Mejía, Rioja, 2008(MC)Attractively fruity, easy-drinking Rioja witha subtle lick of oak. From an exciting newwinery situated in Aldeanueva de Ebro(La Rioja) about 50km from Logroño. 13%.The 2009 follows.ref ES-SP5901 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen†Navajas Crianza, Rioja, 2008 (T)Navajas, a family-run estate situated justoutside the small town of Navarrete in LaRioja Alta, makes quintessential Rioja. Thewine is made from 85% tempranillo and15% garnacha, which is matured in225-litre oak barricas for 15 months untilsoft, round and oaky. 13.5%ref ES-SP7021 £7.50 bottle £90 dozenGlorioso Crianza, Rioja, 2007 (M)A fragrant, cedary and polished Rioja fromBodegas Palacio who also make The Society’sRioja Crianza. Glorioso is quite different,spending a year in French oak, resulting in avelvety rich style. Now to 2014. 13%ref ES-SP6751 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen†Viña Amézola Crianza, Rioja, 2006(T)Excellent traditional-style crianza,harmonious and integrated, which willprovide immediate drinking pleasure fromthis single estate in the heart of Rioja Alta.Now to 2014. 14%ref ES-SP6691 £10.95 bottle £131 dozenThe Society’s Exhibition RiojaReserva, 2005 (T)Our popular Exhibition Rioja is elegant andsmooth, with real finesse in 2005, made inthe traditional style (aged for five yearsbefore release) by the famous La Rioja Altabodega. Now to 2015. 12.5%ref ES-SP6641 £12.95 bottle £155 dozenFREE UK deliverywhen you order at least12 bottles or if yourorder value is £75 or moreSee the back page forfour mixed casesMuga Reserva, Rioja, 2006 (MC)Jorge Muga has a knack of successfullycombining the best of traditional Riojawinemaking with more modern techniques.Exotically oaky, as you would expect fineclassic reserva to be, balanced by ripe,lively fruit and length of flavour. Decantbefore serving. Now to 2014. 14%.The 2007 follows.ref ES-SP6101 £13.50 bottle £162 dozenWin exclusive Muga PradoEnea CaseMembers who purchase a bottle or more ofMuga Reserva, Rioja, 2006/2007 byThursday, 15th December will be entered intoa prize draw to win one of five gift sets (worthover £100) comprising three bottles of PradoEnea Gran Reserva from the 2000, 2001and 2004 vintages presented in a hand-madewooden case that converts into a writing box.Visit thewinesociety.com/muga for furtherinformation.NEW La Rioja Alta, Viña AranaReserva, Rioja, 2004 (T)A perfect example of Rioja from a first-classvintage. Mostly tempranillo with 5%mazuelo, this is scented and complexwith delicious sweet fruit and softness onthe palate. Matured for three years in barrel.Now to 2018. 13%ref ES-SP6871 £18 bottle £216 dozenNEW Roda Reserva, Rioja, 2007(M)Yields in 2007 were tiny, concentratingthe colour and blueberry flavour of thehealthiest tempranillo grapes. Powerful,stylish and compact with velvety tanninsfrom 14 months in high-quality French oak.Drink from next year to 2021. 14%ref ES-SP6881 £24 bottle £288 dozenCVNE Imperial Gran Reserva,Rioja, 2000 (T)Classic, mature Gran Reserva Rioja whichis gentle and elegant with smoky, leatheryflavours. Now to 2017. 13.5%ref ES-SP6821 £25 bottle £300 dozen4 To order thewinesociety.com/spain ☎ 01438 740222

Focus on...CONTINOFounded in 1973, Contino was the first wine in Rioja to be made from a singlevineyard, that surrounding the bodega at Laserna, near Logroño. The 62ha of vinesare situated on the banks of a meander of the River Ebro. It is a warm site whichproduces rich and generous wines with great depth of flavour. Under the guidanceof winemaker Jesús Madrazo quality has dramatically improved here and todayContino boasts one of the finest portfolios in Rioja.With a run of succesful vintages since 2004, it seemed timely to offer members a mini-vertical of the stylish Reserva as well asmaking our first release of the rarely-made Gran Reserva only available in magnums. Viña del Olivo is Contino’s modernexpression, made from a tiny plot in the vineyard. The 2007 is exceptional. Jesús is not one to rest on his laurels and his dynamicapproach is clear to see in the Blanco and Garnacha, both made as an experiment but so good we persuaded him to releasethem exclusively to Wine Society members. A mixed case is offered with a saving of £23 thanks to the support of Contino.WhiteNEW Contino Blanco, Rioja, 2006This is the first excursion of Contino intowhite Rioja which is made from thetraditional malvasia, garnacha blanca and viurablend of grapes. Bright gold with nutty,honeyed Rhône-like flavours and an opulent,powerful palate. Enjoy with delicate white fish.Exclusive to members. Now to 2013. 14%ref ES-SP6931 £23 bottle £276 dozenRedNEW Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2004(MC)The flamboyant, relatively forward 2004oozes sweet damson fruit backed byvelvety tannins. Just hitting its stride now.Now to 2016. Decant. 14.5%ref ES-SP4881 £23 bottle £276 dozenNEW Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2005(MC)Jesús Madrazo made an exquisite 2005. Thisfine, sophisticated Rioja is concentrated andappealing now but will age magnificently too.Now to 2018. Decant. 14%ref ES-SP5281 £23 bottle £276 dozenNEW Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2006(MC)2006 produced a smaller crop (30% down)which ripened quickly in an unusually hotSeptember, resulting in grapes withconcentrated black-fruit flavours. Plump andvery appealing. Now to 2018. Decant. 14%ref ES-SP6911 £23 bottle £276 dozenNEW Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2007(MC)Elegant and scented with wonderful purity offlavour, this shows all the hallmarks of a greatContino vintage. Drink from next year to2019. 14%ref ES-SP6331 £23 bottle £276 dozenNEW Contino Garnacha ‘SpecialWine Society Selection’, Rioja,2008 (M)Excellent 100% garnacha Rioja from this topestate. Just 200 cases made as an experimentby Jesús Madrazo. It is exotically flavoured,smooth and harmonious after 30 months inbarrel. So good we snapped it all upexclusively for members. Lovely now ifdecanted two hours before serving and willkeep well for another five years at least. 13%ref ES-SP6921 £23 bottle £276 dozenNEW Contino Graciano, Rioja,2007 (M)A rare and impressive example of asingle-varietal Rioja made from 100%graciano. Vibrant with a wonderful perfumeof blueberry fruit and succulent, yet crisp onthe palate. Decant. Now to 2018. 13%ref ES-SP6901 £35 bottle £420 dozenNEW Contino Viña del Olivo,Rioja, 2007 (M)Olivo is released early, only made in the bestvintages and is very serious indeed. Thesensuous 2007 is classy, blackberry-infusedRioja and a stand-out success for this estate.It won a gold medal at the Decanter WorldWine Awards 2011. Patience will berewarded. Drink 2013 to 2025. 14%ref ES-SP6041 £47.50 bottle £570 dozenWinemaker, Jesús Madrazo, alongside his carefully tended vinesNEW Magnums of Contino GranReserva, Rioja, 2004 (MC)Gran Reserva is a rarity at Contino, the2004 is only the third one made and onlyin magnums. This is worth every penny.Full, layered and perfectly balanced withquite superb length of flavour. Drink 2012(decant a good two hours before serving)to 2025. 14.5%ref ES-SP6134 £89 magnumCONTINO RIOJAMIXED CASEref ES-MX11214 at £127Saving of £23.A six-bottle case containing a bottle ofeach of the following:Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2004Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2005Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2006Contino Reserva, Rioja, 2007Contino Graciano, Rioja, 2007Contino Garnacha ‘Special WineSociety Selection’, Rioja, 2008For description of codesMC and M see page 45

TOP SPANISH DROPSWHITES & SPARTo highlight the country’s fine wine credentials we have selected six ofSpain’s finest reds, chosen from Ribera del Duero, Toro, Alicante andPriorat. Authentic regional flavours abound in these wines.Spain’s whites – vibrant, cleanand refreshing – are a revelationand continue to impress us. If youhaven’t yet tried them, do so.You will not be disappointed.NEW Castillo del BarònMacabeo, Yecla, 2010Fruity, fresh and easy-drinking white witha hint of beeswax. Designed to be drunkyoung. 13.5%ref ES-SP6681 £6.25 bottle £75 dozenTresolmos Verdejo, Rueda, 2010A dry, aromatic and refreshing white, similarto good sauvignon blanc, with attractivegrassy, lemony flavour. 13%ref ES-SP6591 £7.50 bottle £90 dozenNavajas Blanco Crianza, Rioja,2008A well-made, old-fashioned oaky whiteRioja which combines hints of fruitinessand toasty, nutty flavours from oak ageing.13%ref ES-SP6711 £7.50 bottle £90 dozenCepa Gavilán, Ribera del Duero,2008Made by Viña Pedrosa, aged for a year inoak, this is a classy, scented Ribera, almostClaret-like, which is well-structured andmodest in body. Now to 2013. 13%Low stock.ref ES-SP6301 £10.95 bottle £131 dozenNEW Alvaro Palacios, Caminsdel Priorat, 2009Camins is an affordable way to enjoy thecraftsmanship and quality of Prioratexpert Alvaro Palacios. A concentrated,mineral and powerful mix of garnachaand carignan (with a touch of syrah andcabernet). Now to 2015. 14.5%ref ES-SP6961 £14.95 bottle £179 dozenNEW Bóhorquez, Ribera delDuero, 2004Highly elegant, cedary Ribera whichcombines freshness with subtle maturenotes from bottle age. Drinkingbeautifully now. Decant. 14%ref ES-SP5421 £19 bottle £228 dozenBodega Bóhorquez, Ribera del DueroNEW El Sequé, Alicante, 2009El Sequé is serious old-vine monastrell,with a little syrah and tempranillo,from a revitalized vineyard in Alicante.Handle this deep, dark, mouth-filling andsensuous red with care. Now to 2016.14.5%ref ES-SP6851 £20 bottle £240 dozenNEW San Román, Toro, 2005Big, savoury blockbuster made byMariano Garcia Fernandez (ex VegaSicilia) and his winemaker son EduardoGarcia Montana. This is potent Toro at itsmost exquisite. Decant. Now to 2015.14.5%ref ES-SP5311 £32 bottle £384 dozenNEW Alion, Ribera del Duero,2006Soft, velvety and compact Ribera fromVega Sicilia which is bottled early tocapture the rich damson fruit. Decant.Now to 2016. 14.5% Low stock.ref ES-SP5921 £45 bottle £540 dozenFREE UK deliverywhen you order at least12 bottles or if yourorder value is £75 or moreThe region of Rueda features manycharming villages6To order thewinesociety.com/spain ☎ 01438 740222

KLINGSHERRYBrandal Albariño, Rías Baixas,2010.Extraordinary value here; this is a delicious,round-tasting and flavourful albariño fromGalicia’s most famous region, Rías Baixas.12.5%ref ES-SP6651 £8.95 bottle £107 dozenGaba do Xil Godello,Valdeorras, 2010.Pristine, mineral and mouthwatering whitemade from the high-quality godello grapeof Galicia. 13.5%ref ES-SP6451 £9.25 bottle £111 dozenAuzells, Costers del Segre, 2010Beautifully crafted, classy wine which showshow far Spain’s whites have come. Thismulti-varietal blend with its subtle textureand purity has developed quite a followingwith members. Now to 2013. 12.5%ref ES-SP6461 £10.50 bottle £126 dozenNEW Zarate Albariño, RíasBaixas, 2010Zarate has been making albariño since 1920and we think the fleshy, juicy and stylish2010 will delight members. Now to 2013.13%ref ES-SP6511 £11.95 bottle £143 dozenPazo Señorans Albariño, RíasBaixas, 2010Restrained, delicate and fine-tuned albariñofrom this beautiful estate in Rías Baixas.Now to 2013. 13.5%ref ES-SP6431 £12.50 bottle £150 dozenSpanish Cava is a great alternative to ChampagneCAVASumarroca Reserva Brut,Cava, 2009Fragrant and appley Cava whichJane MacQuitty recently named the‘Best Champagne Taste-alike’ in her30 Best Sparkling Wines report inThe Times. 11.5% Dozen saving of£7.50 (or think of it as a free bottle)thanks to supplier support.ref ES-SG1391 £7.50 bottle£82.50 special dozen price£6.88 equivalent bottle priceKEYSee page 160 of the Christmas List for fulldetails on alcohol levelsSynthetic closure Screwcap closurebone dry, to intensely sweet† New VintageRomate Fino PerdidoRich but dry, mature Fino, almostFino-Amontillado, which is about eightyears old. Deep-gold colour, intensebready flor nose combined with a broad,ample palate with honeyed barrel-agedcharacter. Ideal with many foodsincluding crab or hard cheese. Minimallytreated to allow the flor character toshine, but this means it may be slightlyhazy or precipitate harmless tartratecrystals. 15%ref ES-SH531 £7.95 bottle £95 dozenLustau Botaina AmontilladoBotaina is the superb, hazelnut-scentedAmontillado produced from Fino La Inawhen its flor is allowed to die off. LaBotaina is now about 12 years old, andmore delicious than ever. A better matchfor mature cheeses such as Cheddar orParmesan than most red wines.A gold medal winner at the DecanterWorld Wine Awards 2011. 18.5%ref ES-SH581 £11.50 bottle £138 dozenSee the back page forfour mixed cases7

Mixed CasesEVERYDAY SPANISH REDSref ES-MX11211 at £70Equivalent bottle price £5.83A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of thefollowing:Sabina Tempranillo, Navarra, 2010Castillo del Baròn Monastrell, Yecla, 2010Artazuri Garnacha Tinto, Navarra, 2010Laderas de El Sequé, Alicante, 2010The Society’s Rioja CrianzaFinca Tempranal Crianza, La Mancha, 2007SPANISH WHITESref ES-MX11212 at £99Save £10.90.Equivalent bottle price £8.25Modern Spanish whites are a revelation – fresh, vibrantand delicious; they really should be tried. We offer asaving to encourage as many members as possible to givethem a go.A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of thefollowing:Castillo del Baròn Macabeo, Yecla, 2010Tresolmos Verdejo, Rueda, 2010Brandal Albariño, Rías Baixas, 2010Gaba do Xil Godello, Valdeorras, 2010Auzells, Costers del Segre, 2010Pazo Señorans, Albariño, Rías Baixas, 2010RIOJA CASEref ES-MX11213 at £140See page 4 for an explanation of the different styles of Riojasnow available.A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following:Navajas Crianza, Rioja, 2008 (T)Glorioso Crianza, Rioja, 2007 (MC)Viña Amézola Crianza, Rioja, 2006 (T)The Society’s Exhibition Rioja Reserva, 2005 (T)Muga Reserva, Rioja, 2006/2007 (MC)La Rioja Alta, Viña Arana Reserva, Rioja, 2004 (T)SPANISH TOUR DOZENref ES-MX11215 at £90Equivalent bottle price £7.50A 12-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following:RedsCastillo del Baròn Monastrell, Yecla, 2010Finca Tempranal Crianza, La Mancha, 2007Cruz de Piedra Garnacha, Calatayud, 2010Latria Garnatxa Carinyena, Montsant, 2006Marqués de Mejía, Rioja, 2008/2009Chivite Gran Feudo Selección Especial, Navarra, 2007Avaniel, Ribera del Duero, 2010Alvaro Palacios, Camins del Priorat, 2009WhitesAuzells, Costers del Segre, 2010Tresolmos Verdejo, Rueda, 2010Brandal Albariño, Rías Baixas, 2010SparklingSumarroca Reserva Brut, Cava, 2009For delivery in time for Christmas please order before midnight,Thursday 15th December, when this offer closes.To order thewinesociety.com/spain ☎ 01438 740222The Society’s GuaranteeDrinking wine bought from The Wine Society should be a pleasurable experience. If at any timeyou are dissatisfied, we would like to hear from you. Contact us and we will be pleased to help.twitter.com/TheWineSocietysocietygrapevine.comfacebook.com/TheWineSocietyThe International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited.Registered Office: Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2BTRegister Number: 1824R (IP)Website thewinesociety.comEnquiries 01438 741177Orders 01438 740222