The March edition of Decanter has landed, and with it, a host of splendid Spanish wines from the E&C portfolio. From Sarah Jane Evans MW to Steven Spurrier, read on for a selection of the experts' reviews. 

Txakoli – Sarah Jane Evans MW

Adur Txakoli de Getaria 2016 “100% Hondarribi Zuri spends six months on its lees in stainless steel. The acidity builds slowly but firmly on the fine, creamy, tropical fruit palate. It finishes with a lick of sea salt. Young, energetic, likeable. Drink 2018-2020.”

Galician whites – Panel Tasting

Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil Fermentado en Barrica Godello, Valdeorras 2015 “91/100 Highly Recommended. The oak is apparent here, giving real depth to the palate plus a caramelized sweet note. The fruit stands up well to the oak, backed by remarkable acidity. Drink 2018-2023.”

Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil Godello, Valdeorras 2016 “92/100 Highly Recommended. Plump. Fleshy golden peaches come to mind on the nose, nicely balanced by a hint of spice. The palate has excellent minerality with a pleasant saline element alongside tropical fruit. Drink 2018-2022.”

Pago de Los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil Sobre Lias Godello, Valdeorras 2015 “90/100 Highly Recommended. Aromas of lemon curd and sweet fruit. This is a polished, accomplished wine, with yellow fruit highlights and lees influences. Fresh lemons and a balancing acidity run through it. Drink 2018-2021.”

Top 30 Spanish wines for everyday drinking – Sarah Jane Evans MW

Ramón Bilbao Lalomba Rosado Rioja 2016 “90/100. One of the new wave of Rioja to make a Provence-style rose, from Garnacha grown at altitude in Rioja Baja plus 10% Viura. It’s spicy and aromatic, with notes of redcurrant and white pepper: refreshing, polished and very likeable. This is a real wine, not an insipid pink drink, with generous Rioja character. Drink 2018-2019.”

Sierra Cantabria Garnacha Rioja 2013 “91/100. Great value from one of Rioja Alta’s top wineries. It comes from a Garnacha vineyard planted in 1927 – a relatively rare variety for the region. As always from this producer, it’s finely balanced, with pure red fruits. Drink 2018-2020.”

Mature Rioja – Panel Tasting

Ramón Bilbao, Mirto 1999 “95/100 Outstanding. Ramon Bilbao was founded in 1924 in Haro and acquired by family firm Diego Zamora, a prominent spirits and liquors company in 1999 – the year that also saw the first production of Mirto from a blend of selected sites from seven villages around Haro. Each is fermented separately and winemaker Rodolfo Bastida takes samples to French coopers to match each lot with the most appropriate French oak. This wine is 100% Tempranillo and aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. Drink 20018-2024”

Pedro Ballesteros MW: “A round, soft, balanced Rioja that has deliciously built, giving it great persistence. Great experience, very typical.”

Sarah Jane Evans MW: “Finely made and elegant. Supple in the mouth, this is a wine that is still brightly alive with typical vivid acidity, and just a little dry on the finish. Impressively alive – this is Rioja.”

Pierre Mansour: “Leathery notes combine with cedar portraying that this is certainly evolved. There is superb acidity to lift the fruit; it’s a stylish Rioja at its peak. Excellent traditional style with amazing oak influence.”

Sierra Cantabria Amancio 2008 “94/100 Highly Recommended. A fine aromatic blend of oak and fruit, with earthy, peppery, tobacco notes pushing forward alongside fleshy red fruit. The palate is layered and rich, poised and classy with lovely flow. A typically vibrant Rioja. Drink 2018-2026.”

Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 1999 “93/100 Highly Recommended. Still shows vibrant flavours after almost two decades. Mellow, tertiary aromas emerge with a firm undertow of American oak and a slightly dusty nature. A touch austere, but original and clean. Drink 2018-2023.”
 

The Spurrier Selection

Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2013 “Combining fruit from Mayacamas and Rutherford estates at up to 335m, this is a true mountain Cabernet, with 7% each of Petit Verdot and Petite Syrah. Densely flavoured but pure and not exaggerated fruit and a fine, balanced finish.”