Red Spanish Bodegas Bhilar Phincas
Red Spanish Bodegas Bhilar Phincas 2020 wine
Let the wine sit for an hour before pouring. Phinca Lali is a bold red wine from a single vineyard, bursting with flavors of plum, cranberry, and cherry, along with hints of minerality, dried herbs, and tobacco. Made mostly from Tempranillo grapes with a touch of Viura, this wine comes from a small section of Rioja with clay and limestone soils.
Bodegas Bhilar, a traditional winery in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, was founded by David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman. They’ve been using horses instead of tractors since 2014. This wine is full-bodied, with strong flavors of iron, tobacco, spice, and ripe dark fruits that linger in the finish.
It has firm tannins and zesty acidity, perfect for aging. Aged in oak barrels for 36 months, Phinca Lali pairs well with lamb stew, chorizo, or aged cheese.
Red Spanish Bodegas Cepa 21 Malabrigo 2019 wine
This sophisticated Spanish red blend is made mainly of Tempranillo grapes, with a touch of Graciano and Viura. Before enjoying, be sure to let it breathe in a decanter for at least an hour. The grapes for this wine come from ancient vines in Rioja, giving it aromas of ripe cranberry, redcurrant, dried herbs, and earthy spices.
Bodegas Bhilar, a small family winery in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, is owned by David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman, who stick to traditional winemaking methods, even using a horse and plough instead of modern machinery. The Phincas wine is aged for a total of 42 months in oak and concrete, resulting in a complex palate with firm tannins and bright acidity. Flavors of cherry, plum, tobacco, herbs, and spice come through, leading to a long finish.
This reasonably priced Rioja pairs perfectly with game meats, lamb, or hearty stews.
White Spanish Bodegas Cota 45 UBE Miraflores 2022 wine
Bodegas Cepa 21, founded in 2007 by brothers Jose and Javier Moro, is known for producing elegant and sophisticated wines. Their flagship wine, Malabrigo, is limited to just 5,000 bottles per year and is highly sought after worldwide. Made from Tempranillo grapes grown on north-facing slopes with sandy-clay soil, this wine is fermented at a controlled temperature and aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.
With a deep cherry red color and hints of violet, Malabrigo offers a complex aroma of ripe black fruits, spices, balsamic notes, and a touch of coffee.
On the palate, it is smooth, ripe, and well-balanced, with velvety tannins and a harmonious acidity. The finish is long and smoky.
To fully enjoy this wine, it is recommended to let it breathe for an hour before serving. Malabrigo pairs beautifully with game pate and roasted pork tenderloin with mushrooms.