Carlos Serres Crianza Rioja 2012
Brilliant, ruby red color. The nose is alluring with ripe black fruits and soft earth and spice notes seamlessly woven with hints of anise, allspice, and oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core that explodes with sweet ripe berries supported by tart cherries and brown baking spices. Medium-bodied with an ideal acid balance and perfect proportions of fruit, spice, and oak. $12 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Carlos Serres Reserva Rioja 2010
Bright garnet red. The nose reveals a classic Rioja red in the best possible way offering scents of ripe and aged black fruits with accents of earth, brown baking spices, and oak. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich and complex fruit core with flanking notes of earth, oak, and spice with hints of leather and cigar box. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and great length finishing with rounded tannins. $15 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Carlos Serres Blanco Rioja 2015
Brilliant, pale golden straw color. The nose is filled with ripe and tart orchard fruits featuring green apple, pear, white peach, and bright citrus fruits. The palate concurs with the nose delivering a vibrant, slightly tart fruit-driven core with waves of green fruit and bright acidity. Medium-bodied with a perfect balance of fruit and bright acidity delivered in a wine with modest alcohol. $10 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Altos de Cristimil Albariño Rias Baixas 2015
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is quite vibrant and fragrant filled with the scents of spring flowers, freshly cut grass, lemongrass, green apples, and citrus with hints of mineral and fresh herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous but sprite fruit-centric core with a pronounced tart and sour fruit note that adds so much dimension and intrigue while it finishes with hints of candied ginger, mineral, and lemon zest. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with waves of ripe and tart fruits. Made with 100% Albariño. $12 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
VIONTA Limited Release Albariño Rias Baixas 2014
Brilliant, pale, golden straw color. The nose is vibrant with scents of white peach and green melon in the lead with supporting notes of mineral, green apple, and citrus. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose with a round but sprite orchard fruit core flanked by accents of mineral, citrus zest, and green herbs. Medium-bodied with perfect balance thanks to a generous dose of bright acidity and crisp, tart fruit notes. Made with 100% Albariño. $15.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
D. Pedro Soutomaior Albariño Rias Baixas 2015
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is very herbal and floral with supporting notes of white peach, pear, and tart apples with hints of mineral. The palate echoes the nose delivering a fresh, tart fruit fruit core redolent of red grapefruit with green apple finishing with citrus zest and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied with bright, fresh acidity that offers pure refreshment and ideal balance. Made with 100% Albariño. $18.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
