Man of La Mancha

The second tasting of the day was a portfolio tasting of Vinos Tito's wines. This excellent importer of Spanish wines is run by Rafael Salazar and Antonio Lorente and they have done a magnificent job over the last number of years in bringing some excellent new wines into ireland. Their job today was not made any easier by the conflict with the Australian tasting or Mr Obama's visit but I'm glad I made it there.
Highlights included the Portal del Monsant Santbru Blanc 2009, DO Montsant made exclusively from white garnacha and really seriously good! Who'd ever expect to hear that of garnacha blanca? Other whites that impressed were the Bodegas Ponce Reto Albilla 2010, DO Machuela from an unheard of variety albilla, not to be confused with the better known (??) albillo!! This reminded me of a Vin Jaune from the Jura, being soft, creamy and spicy and one of the most interesting wines I've tasted for quite some time. The Rafael Palacios As Sortes Godello 2009, DO Valdeorras was also very good, with an amazing blend of rich creaminess on the mid-palate and a lovely fresh zingy finish. Finally the Alonso del Yerro Ossian Verdejo 2008, DO Rueda got a one word tasting note: yummy!
Among the reds, I really enjoyed the Portal del Priorat Somni 2007, DO Priorat which had power and elegance, the Bodega Maranones Treinta Mil Maravadies 2009 which is really tasty but needs a little time, the fabulous Artuke K4, DOCa Rioja which was a stunning blend of tempranillo and graciano and seriously good and the surprisingly soft Rafael Cambra Dos 2008, DO Valencia which, though a blend of the two cabernets, was extremely supple and drinkable.
There were many other good to very good wines but these are the ones which stood out for me, today.