Two Awesome Values in Spanish Red Wines

Are you confused by the wines of Spain? Well, with 67 named winemaking regions, figuring out where your value-priced Spanish wine comes from can be challenging indeed. No matter... look most closely at those regions where you have found at least one wine whose price fall far below your perception of quality. Two red wines with exactly those characteristics are being highlighted here - one from the Almansa region, the other from Almanzora.

Review: Loma Gorda, 2006, Almansa, Spain

Loma Gorda is a value-price red Spanish wine, made from a combination of old vine grapes, 65% garnacha (grenache) and 35% syrah from the Almansa region of Spain. Alcohol is a modest 13%.

In the glass, Loma Gorda, 2006, is medium dark red, with distinct purple overtones. We are trying this one young. Cool, and right from the bottle upon opening, aromas are of sweet, rubbery red fruit. On the palate, intense and inky red and black currants - or maybe pomegranates? - touch your tongue and upper mouth, bringing a touch of deep plum and pepper along. Finish is moderately lengthy, still robed in tannins, and generally balanced. Can be put to rest for a few years too. Likely a modest decant will also serve it well.

Intense, but could still work well with foods that could be balanced out by its peppery acid. Three stars with a plus for intensity. Outstanding value.

Find Loma Gorda at WineZap.

Review: Este de Bodegas Alta Almanzora, Vino De Mesa, Spain

The Este Bodegas Alto Almanzora, Vino De Mesa, Spain, shows no vintage date on its labels. I'm presuming it is 2006 vintage. From searching, I also believe it to be a mix of monastrell, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, merlot, syrah and tempranillo grapes. Certainly a wine that prefers to wrap its heritage in intrigue!

Intrigue or not, let's see what it delivers... In the glass, Este is medium deep dusty red. Bright, red fruit aromas laced with oak dust pump out of the glass.

A sweet, furry robe is the first sensation when you sip Este. A touch of candy apple, but more balanced sweet, red currant, softened by a tweedy wrap of silty tannins. Lively, fluffy and full. Finishes sweet with the slightest "twang" of acid. Quite balanced overall, not overplaying its 14 percent alcohol.

Three stars with a plus for joyous accessibility paired with balance and complexity. Not quite the intensity nor complexity to drive it to a four-star choice, which means I would shun all other wines for the evening. Nonetheless, dynamite value at its price.

Find Este at WineZap.