The pretty mosaic label....
November 13, 2007
You know the bottle with all the tile work on it?
The Spanish wine with the pretty "mosaic label"? What about the
Braille label? That label with all the raised dots on it.
I always know the wines being inquired about.....they're from Alto
Moncayo!
This will be the fourth vintage of Alto Moncayo
wines; the old vine Garnacha inspired project from the remote and
arid hills of Campo de Borja D.O. in the Aragon region
of northeastern Spain. Spain's most famous importer Jorge
Ordonez guides this most successful gleaning of gnarly old
vine fruit, while Aussie superstar winemaker Chris Ringland, aka
"MR100", continues to dazzle at the production helm (yes, this is
also your El Nido/Clio team!).
In Spain, 2004 was a grand vintage. But the
truth be told, we have all been eagering anticipating the releases from 2005, as
it has been quietly heralded as the new modern benchmark vintage to replace
the profound 2001 vintage.
The following three
wines from the 2005 vintage arrive in store this
Friday. Here are Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate reviews
for 2004. If you were one to
latch on to any of these last year, then you understand the
excitement. Your expectations should be even
greater!
|
2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Alto Moncayo
Veraton |
| A Grenache Dry Red Table
wine from |
| Campo De Borja, Aragon,
Spain | |
|
Wine
Advocate # 166
Aug 2006 |
Robert
Parker |
93 |
Drink
2006 - 2011 |
(22) |
| The lowest priced
offering here, Veraton, is a 1,000 case, 100% Grenache
cuvee. The wine is brilliant. The 2004 Alto Moncayo
Veraton represents a fabulous imitation of a top-notch
Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, with gamy, meaty
notes, hints of roasted herbs, plenty of kirsch liqueur
and blackberries, and loads of glycerin and alcohol, it
is a stunning red to drink over the next 4-5 years.
| Abstract label waiting
for an identity. Price on the
rise. | | |
|
2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Alto
Moncayo
aka Mosaic
Label |
| A Grenache Dry Red Table
wine from |
| Campo De Borja, Aragon,
Spain | |
|
Wine
Advocate # 166
Aug 2006 |
Robert
Parker |
94 |
Drink
2006 - 2016 |
$35-$55
(43) |
| The estate's
mid-level effort is the fairly priced Alto Moncayo. This
wine is spectacular, and represents the perfect foil for
grilled steak. Even richer, fuller, and more muscular
than the 2003, with riveting intensity and palate
staining extract, the 2004 Alto Moncayo is inky/purple,
full-bodied, and rich. This pedal-to-the-metal offering
should age handsomely for a decade.
| Price is holding steady
with last
vintage. | | |
|
2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Aquilon
aka Braille
Label |
| A Grenache Dry Red Table
wine from |
| Campo De Borja, Aragon,
Spain | |
|
Wine
Advocate # 166
Aug 2006 |
Robert
Parker |
96 |
Drink
- |
$110-$170
(140) |
| The 1,000 case luxury
cuvee, the 2004 Aquilon, was fashioned from the winery's
oldest vines and best material. Revealing nearly off the
chart ripeness, richness, and intensity, it will
undoubtedly be controversial, separating traditionalists
from more progressive tasters, but I loved it. It will
be interesting to see how this tour de force in
winemaking ages. It is the vino equivalent of a Hummer
four-wheel drive vehicle. |
Hey! Didn't I use that Hummer
descriptor first!! Honestly, if you drank this wine with
the lights off, I swear it could glow in the
dark! A true collector's piece. Priced went
up $5!!
A FINAL NOTE: These are modern
wines made in rich, expressive,
hedonistic styles,
guaranteed to amaze and please your
palate!
2005 PRICING
PER BOTTLE -
Veraton - $30.95
Alto Moncayo -
$44.95
Aquilon - $159.95
LIMITED AVAILABILITY!! ALTO
MONCAYO SELLS OUT QUICKLY EVERY VINTAGE!
|
LAST CALL ON THESE TORBRECK SHIRAZ.......ARRIVING
FRIDAY-
2005 Torbreck Struie Shiraz -
Barossa/Edna Valley, Southern Australia - $57.95 (94 RP)
- 3 bottles
2005 Torbreck The Factor Shiraz,
Barossa Valley, Southern Australia - $109.95 (97 RP) - 5
bottles
2004 Torbreck Shiraz, Run Rig,
Barossa Valley, Southern Australia - $209.95 (99 RP) - 3
bottles
ORDER TO RESERVE THE 2006 TORBRECK
WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ - WILL BE $22.50
PRE-ARRIVAL PRICE SPECIAL $19.75/6+ bottles,
or $17.75/12+ bottles (RP 92 points)
|
Speaking of Aussie wines. The Wine Spectator is in
the process of announcing its 2007 TOP 100 WINES this
week. The countdown has begun with the TOP
TEN! CONGRATS to our mates Sarah
& Sparky Marquis as their Mollydooker 2006 Carnival of Love Shiraz
was just named #8! If
you were lucky enough to purchase this wine from us, along with its
counter part the 2006 Enchanted
Path, your name will be placed in
a drawing scheduled for 4:00 pm this Saturday afternoon at the
store: the first twelve names drawn will have the
opportunity to purchase Mollydooker's highly coveted VELVET
GLOVE SHIRAZ - already awarded 97 points by the Wine
Spectator and 99 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate. We
will keep you advised as the countdown
continues........
Hope to see you at the tasting bar on Saturday
from Noon to 4 pm.
GO DUCKS!
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