Tasting Notes from Three Value-Priced Wines from Spain

Wines from Spain are becoming increasingly accessible around the world. Some of them are outstanding values. Let's look at three candidates for good-value, low-cost Spanish red wines:

The Castel del Remei, Gotim Bru

Review: The Castel del Remei, Gotim Bru, from Costers del Segre, Spain, is a blend of 50% tempranillo, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 10% garnacha (grenache), which was aged in oak for 10 months. We are tasting the 2004 vintage, so this has aged just a few years in bottle.

In the glass, this is deep, even red with a general orange cast. On the nose, there is a rusty citrus element, distinctive and deep, harboring an undercurrent of ripe plum. On the palate, soft - almost overripened - tannins touch the top of the mouth, moving solid mature fruit along. Not quite as hot as the 14% alcohol might imply, but the touch of heat does come on at the modest finish.

No more time left to age this wine - it is ready to drink today. Two stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale - I enjoyed it but would not feel compelled to find my way to another bottle. I would recommend finding a vintage that is within three years of the consumption date.

Wine Advocate awarded 90 points, saying, "This is a rich, opulent red and startlingly good value for money. It spends 10 months in American oak barrels and can be slightly harsh in its youth, but with just a few months in the bottle it loses its rough edges and the huge jammy fruit qualities come through."

Find Castel del Remei, Gotim Bru, at WineZap.

La Huella de Adaras

Review: La Huella de Adaras, 2004, Almansa, is another value-priced offering from Spain. As seems fairly typical of Spanish value wines, this is a blend: tintorera, monastrell and cabernet sauvignon. From 2004, this has aged about four years in bottle.

In the glass, La Huella de Adaras is deep, dark red, with some orange bricking right at the rim. Aromas are still ripe, spicy, deep plum in nature, lifting from the glass.

The sip brings a big round, perfumed flavor to the middle of the palate, spinning violets, rich plums and figs off in various directions. Outstanding depth, concentration and rich texture on a silky platform that comes to a slow, very pleasant fade. The time in the bottle has been well-spent. This is ready now, but would not be harmed by another year or two of storage.

I would stay with La Huella de Adaras for an evening without making a change, so that is four stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. Awesome value, especially given its very attractive price.

Wine Advocate like this too. Jay Miller awarded 89 points, writing, "Purple-colored, it offers up pure aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and black currants. On the palate it is plush, ripe, and sweet with nicely concealed tannins. It has a pure, 30 second finish. Drink this tasty effort over the next 3-4 years."

Find La Huella de Adaras at Wine Zap.

Taja Reserva

The Taja Reserva is a Spanish red table wine from Jumilla, Spain, made from 50% monastrell, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 20% tempranillo and 10% merlot, aged one year in oak. It comes in at 14% alcohol; it is not produced in every vintage.

In the glass, Taja Reserva is deep blood red in color, lightly bricking at the rim. Aromas are quite shy, with that touch of candy apple characteristic of the region, but lighter than many of this style, without the intensity and concentration.

The brisk tannins are noticeable at first sip, but a pleasant light cherry fruit is beginning to wrap around the tannins, bringing this straightforward, middleweight red wine to an even, pleasant, clean, slightly-lingering close. Good value for money. Two stars on the Spirit of Wine scale, this time with a plus for its good, clean balance.

Find Taja Reserva at WineZap.