Table of contents for October - December 2017 in Selectus Wines

Sit back and enjoy! THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. As usual, when we are busy working on our autumn issue, most of the wine producers have finished, or are busy finishing, the harvest. It is that critical time of year again when it has to all come together, the moment to reap the rewards of the hard work carried out over the year. From what we are hearing in most wine regions, it appears that the grape harvest will be smaller than in previous years (fewer bottles), but perhaps of a significantly higher quality. Will the price of the wine go up? We’ll have to wait and see... So here we are at that time when producers see the result of all their hard work... and the same could be said…

They are young and they seem as if they are just starting out in the world of wine, yet they have been at it for a lifetime. The ability to adapt and to transform is a quality shared by the three Sanz siblings, Marco, Richard and Alejandra. They apply their winemaking principles with dedication and passion and this is reflected in each bottle of their wines, which have personality and style. They work 200 hectares of vineyards, set in an exceptional location between Zamora and Tudela de Duero, according to organic growing principles, yet happily applying modern technology. "With our weather station we know exactly what’s happening to the vines at all times, and if the vines are thirsty, we give them water," says Richard Sanz, Menade‘s oenologist and manager.…

In mid-September, a special tasting took place at the Fundació Foto Colectania in Barcelona to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bodegas Roda. We were among around a hundred guests invited to a “tasting of pairs” of some very special vintages of its RODA I wine. These pairs were the best vintages of each decade: 1994-1995, 2004-2005 and 2010-2011 (the latter has not yet been released on the market). We also had the chance to taste Corimbo I 2011, which allowed us to compare a vintage from the Rioja with the same vintage from the Ribera de Duero. Mario Rotllant (co-owner) and Agustín Santolaya (General Manager) hosted this relaxed event and took us on a tasting journey through the winery’s history. This exclusive tasting will only be repeated…

STRONG GLOBAL BIDDING WITH OVER 25% OF LOTS SOLD ONLINE On 9 September, Sotheby’s opened the New York season of wine auctions with the outstanding sale of Finest & Rarest Wines, which brought €2.24 million. Exceeding its estimate of €1.4 / 1.99 million. The sale saw 95% of lots sold with strong bidding from North America, Europe, South America and Asia; over a quarter of the lots on offer were purchased by online bidders. Treasures from the family cellar of a physician – an impeccable Bordeaux-focused 2 collection– and The Classic California Collection, led by superlative offerings from Heitz Cellar and Mayacamas Vineyards, sold exceptionally well, achieving €205,615 (estimates €112,838 - €162,514) and €226,570 (estimates €128,442 - €186,169) respectively. Connor Kriegel, Sotheby’s Wine’s Head of Auction Sales in New York,…

JOAN ARBOIX ROURA Mallorca, 1981 @Joanet112 Professional sommelier since 2006, he began his career as a sommelier at the Moo restaurant (1* Michelin) in Barcelona. He has also worked for the Ritz Carlton in Spain and Chile as a sommelier and maître d’. He currently works at the Andreu Genestra (1* Michelin) restaurant in Mallorca. Balearic Islands Sommelier Champion 2008. Sumiller profesional desde el año 2006. Trabajó como sumiller en el restaurante MOO de Barcelona (1*Michelin). Ha trabajado para Ritz Carlton en España y Chile como Sumiller y Jefe de Sala. Actualmente en el restaurante Andreu Genestra (1*Michelin) en Mallorca. Campeón de Sommeliers de les Illes Balears en 2008. ANNA VICENS Girona, 1973 @annavicens Professional sommelier since 1997, she is currently President of the Catalan Association of Sommeliers, a member…

TERRAS GAUDA 2015 O Rosal 2015 / D.O. Rías Baixas / Terras Gauda / O Rosal, Pontevedra - Spain / www.terrasgauda.com / P.V.P.: 12,35€ / 70% Albariño, 18% Caiño, 12% Loureiro Appearance: Pale yellow hue flecked with gold. Nose: Very aromatic, pronounced aromatic herbs, exotic fruit, citrus and floral notes. Palate: The herbaceous notes and intense fruit give way to a lovely unctuous sensation on the palate with a fresh, long-lingering finish. Comment: In this wine, two varietals, the Caiño Blanco and the Loureiro, join the Albariño grape and bring a touch more acidity, style and originality. Vista: Color amarillo pálido con reflejos dorados. Nariz: Muy aromático, destacan las notas de hierbas aromáticas, frutas exóticas, cítricos muy presentes y notas florales. Boca: Las notas herbáceas junto con la intensa fruta,…

Sea and mountain, land and water, warmth and freshness. A wine influenced by the Tramuntana, a strong north wind that keeps the vineyards in a very healthy state. A small production from Garnacha vines planted in 1997 and growing on terraces, lit by the first rays of sun in the morning. The wine is produced by winemaker, Delfí Sanahuja, from grapes harvested by hand, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for 12 months in 2nd-year French oak barrels. This is a wine with a pure varietal expression that pleases wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Appearance: Cherry red hue of medium intensity, clean and bright, with nice tears. Nose: Very aromatic, ripe red fruit, Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, aniseed herbs, balsamic notes, mineral and earthy. Palate: Enveloping silkiness that allows…

MENADE VERDEJO ORGANIC 2016 13% vol. - DO RUEDA Bright yellow hue with pale golden tints. Very aromatic on the nose with the recognizable aromas of the Verdejo varietal, such as citrus fruit, which gives it a lively character, along with notes of pear and vegetal overtones of hay and fennel. There is a nice glycerol sensation on the palate and a lovely expression of the fruit. The wilder character of the Verdejo also comes through in the form of anise and wild herbs. Fairly pronounced yet well-balanced acidity. The finish is long, reflecting the wine’s body, good structure and perfect balance. NOSSO VERDEJO NATURAL 2016 13% vol. - VT CASTILLA Y LEON Bright yellow hue with soft golden tints. Surprising minerality on the nose, with subtle lactic notes. Citrus…

SPAIN A CORUÑA AC Hotel Palacio del Carmen. Santiago de Compostela ALAVA Hotel Marqués de Riscal – A Luxury Collection Hotel Restaurant Zaldiarán . Vitoria-Gasteiz ALICANTE Hospes Amerigo AC Hotel Ciutat d´Alcoi ASTURIAS AC Hotel Forum Oviedo. Oviedo Rest. Casa Marcial. Arriondas Rest. La Salgar. Gijón BARCELONA Hotel MercerHotel Le MéridienRest. Rías de GaliciaMonvínicRest. MomentsSanta EulaliaJoyería RabatJoyería SuárezHotel MajesticHotel OmmRest. WindsorHotel PalaceRest. CaelisCeller de GelidaRest. La ClaraArsenal MasculinoFour Points by SheratonRest. Via VenetoRest. AbacRest. L´OlianaHotel Rey Juan Carlos IRest. GaigAC Hotel Victoria SuitesConcesionario Mercedes Cars BarcelonaConcesionario Maserati-Ferrari-Bentley Cars GalleryRest. Bravo 24Hotel W BarcelonaClub de Golf Sant Cugat. Sant Cugat del VallésClub de Golf Vallromanes. VallromanesRest. L´Angle. S.Fruitós del BagesRest. Sant Pau. Sant Pol de MarRest. Can Jubany. CalldetenesRest. Sala. OlostGolf El Montanyà. El BrullRest. L´Estany Clar. Cercs-BergaSala VIP Pau Casals…

RECAREDO BRUT DE BRUTS FINCA SERRAL DEL VELL 2007 Cava / BRUT DE BRUT. FINCA SERRAL DEL ROURE 2007 / D.O. Cava / Recaredo / Sant Sadurní d´Anoia, Barcelona - Spain / www.recaredo.com / PVP.: 30,00€ / 51% Xarel·lo, 49% Macabeo Appearance: Clean, bright yellow flecked with gold. Small, fine bubbles. Nose: Ripe citrus, notes of pastries and a hint of nuts. Palate: Dry on entry with a sparkling freshness reminiscent of citrus fruit. On the finish, it shows the enveloping creaminess and elegance of long, well-managed ageing. Comment: To enjoy this cava at its best, it should not be served too cold and ideally at 8-10ºC. This gastronomic cava par excellence can accompany a whole meal. Vista: Amarillo brillante y limpio, con reflejos dorados. Burbuja pequeña y fina. Nariz:…

The excellent work done on this grape variety has produced two gastronomic wines, that can be enjoyed whenever you fancy. These well-made wines are easy-to-appreciate and easy-to-drink. The owners from Ribeiro have just started down this path and they are already demonstrating the potential of the grape, the producer and this style of wine. The wine can be enjoyed now or kept back. Appearance: Intense golden yellow, bright, with nice tears. Nose: Very aromatic. Intense notes of yeast, citrus, ripe stone fruit such as peaches, apricots and white plums, against a soft toasted backdrop. Palate: Fresh on entry, nice glycerine feel over the palate with ripe fruit, herbaceous and lemon curdy notes, and a long, succulent finish. Broad and fresh, it wraps the palate in aromas and silkiness, with a…

RED WINES PITTACUM VAL DE LA LOBA 2014 D.O. Bierzo / Viñedos y Bodegas Pittacum / El Bierzo, León - Spain /www.pittacum.com / P.V.P.: 12,15€ / 100% Mencía Appearance: Cherry red, clean, spritely and bright. Nose: Aromas of forest fruit, blackberries, red currants, with notes of violets. Palate: Velvety, fresh, good balance, elegant, broad and persistent. Comment: This is the first vintage of this distinctive single vineyard wine. It is a well-made and nicely-aged wine that has resulted in a very fresh, ready-to-drink Mencía, currently at its best. Vista: Rojo picota, limpio, ágil y brillante. Nariz: Aromas de fruta de bosque, zarzamoras, grosellas, con notas de violetas. Boca: Aterciopelado, fresco, buen equilibrio, elegante, amplio y persistente. Observacions: 1ª añada de este vino de paraje singular, un vino bien hecho, con…

Terra Remota isn’t remote due to the fact that its owners, Marc and Emma Bournazeau, are a French couple living and working between Toulouse and Perpignan. They are actually closer to Terra Remota than the vast majority of Spaniards. For us, Terra Remota might be considered remote because it is located almost on the border with France. This area, lying very close to La Junquera, virtually in the Roussillon, has, along with Cerdaña, played an important role in the history of Spain, since the “remote” times of the Arabs, Franks, Carolingians, Visigoths, and the kings of Aragon and Castile. Emma is the daughter of Claude Florensa whose father was a republican from Lleida who, like many others, fled to France at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Claude had…

One would not have expected a wine producer such as Herederos de Marqués de Riscal to hold the presentation of an exclusive product in a setting that did not fully befit the occasion! The garden of the Ritz Hotel in Madrid was therefore the venue for its presentation of an exclusive “Viñas Viejas” rosé (limited edition of 5,000 bottles), made with grapes from vines which are over 80 years of age. To create this new wine, Herederos de Marqués de Riscal sought out terroir and vineyards that would endow it with great character and reveal the essence of the Garnacha and Tempranillo varietals. Once again, Marqués de Riscal demonstrated its savoir-faire and contemporary spirit with the presentation of a high-quality wine, this time a rosé. Una bodega como Herederos de…

Sparkling wines enjoy pride of place at social gatherings and special meals, not just because of their traditional association with glamour and sophistication, but because of something that most sommeliers and wine experts agree on, their great versatility. But, if we are going to talk about the “premium” cavas, then we have to go from talking about the cavas used for toasts to the cavas enjoyed with food. And it is precisely the grandeur of cava, with its various crianzas and coupages, that allows it to provide sommeliers and chefs with such a fantastic variety to play around with and great scope in terms of food pairings. Not surprisingly, it is these premium cavas, aged for longer and possessing greater character, the kind in which the producer has sought to…

Eugenia Silva was unveiled as the new face and ambassador for Anna de Codorníu, by Natalia Gómez, the Codorníu Raventós Group’s marketing director, during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Madrid. The Spanish model joins a select group of Codorníu brand ambassadors, which includes actress, Leonor Watling, and Michelin-starred chef, Paco Pérez. The model herself said, “it is an honour for me to have been chosen as an ambassador for the Anna de Codorníu brand. I particularly identify with Anna, a feminine yet independent female figure, and I am also a great cava lover.” After the presentation, a party was held in the Anna de Codorníu “Kissing Room” with a Cocktail Session “by Anna de Codorníu”, at which there were some famous faces from fashion, gastronomy and other walks of life.…

Two greats, Arzak and Chivite, have joined forces in a different kind of venture, but with a style of wine that pleases consumers. A style of wine that gives the impression of softness at first, but then shows its character, liveliness body and intensity. This pale rosé, now a very popular colour, suggests subtlety and delicacy, but gradually shows its strength. Versatile, sophisticated and original, this wine is not what it seems and is bound to produce a reaction. Appearance: Very pale pink salmon, clean and bright, dense tears. Nose: Medium intensity, aromas of white flowers and the recognizable scent of roses or talcum powder, along with notes of delicate raspberry-like fruit. Palate: Fresh on entry, thanks to its nice acidity, revealing a light body, delicate, soft fruit and a…

CHATEAU MONTROSE 2011 AppelationSaintEstèphe/ChateauMontroseSaint-Estèphe-France/www.chateau-montrose.com/ P.V.P.:135,00€ / 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot Appearance: Very bright, cherry red, clean and bright, nice tears. Nose: Very aromatic, blackberries and blueberries. Floral notes and aromas of chocolate and liquorice, crème de cassis and smoky notes. Palate: Good acidity, medium body and a good tannic structure. Notes of tobacco, very oaky character, finesse and elegance. Spicy with notes of incense and cedar. Comment: An austere and powerful wine, with cellaring potential, because this is not a wine for immediate drinking, but one that should be opened when at its very best in about ten years’ time. Vista: Rojo cereza picota, capa alta, limpio y brillante, de buena lágrima. Nariz: Muy aromático, fruta negra de moras y arándanos. Notas florales…