Notes from a tasting of wines from Spain and ex-Spanish territories.

2005 Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde - OK, so this was from Portugal, the
organiser also allowed this - Iberian peninsula and all. Not much
nose until it warmed up, then some smoke. Bit flat in the middle,
finshed better than it started, an obvious attempt at a 'more
serious' VV. Maybe some wines aren't meant to be serious....

1995 Remurez de Ganuza Rioja - nose of toasty oak and well developed
fruit, on the ripe side. Fairly youthful in the mouth with good length
and an uplift of acidity at the end. New age Rioja made the way the
reviewers (who like California cab) like to see them.

1994 Pesquera - this Crianza is now in prime drinking range. It
showed a mildly stinky nose with some cheesiness, backed by cocoa and
spice, a nice mouth feel, soft tannins and good length. Perhaps the
most traditional wine of the evening.

1996 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Cabernet - didn't give much varietal
cab clue, but a nose that was more honey, the fruit not huge, then
sliding into a spiciness and soft tannin. Nice now. I almost brought my
1993 - guess I should get into them to see what is happening.

2001 Terra d'Hom Priorat - sweet cocoa nose with huge fruit,
excellent balance and surprisingly soft tannin. New world style, and
not built for the long haul, rather for early pleasure. Would work
well instead of Port with cheese.

2000 Quinta do Valle D. Maria - a wine from the Douro with a heavily
oaked nose, lots of in your face fruit, a bit hot, sweet and fruity on
palate and not too complex. Better try my 1998 soon.

2002 Finca Sandoval - from Manchuela, a combination of mostly syrah
with mourvedre - a Spanish Rhone, if you will. Another
non-traditional wine with a warm nose, sweet, young, blackberry and
anise, tannic, young and not complex. Would be interesting to see if it
improves with age - I'm not sure if it will or not. Anyway, tasty
when young!.

I think the Finca Sandoval is in a little bit of an awkward stage right
now. Good modern styled Syrah. I think Remurez de Ganuza is also a
decent exampe of modern Rioja (I tend to prefer old school, but the RdG
is better than some newwavers-not as extreme). When Pesquera is your
most traditional wine....