Yasa Blanco Calatayud 2014

Figaro Tinto Calatayud 2013 is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost.

Tasting notes: Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.

 Vilerma Blanco Ribeiro is made from 80% Treixadura, 6% Torrontes, 4% Godello, 4% Albariño, 3% Loureira and 3% Lado

Ribeiro blanco is produced from estate-grown grapes using traditional winemaking.

Pale yellow color with green highlights.
Intense white fruit aromas when young, it develops complex nuances after a few years in the bottle.
In the mouth it is ample, full and pleasant with a long and fruity finish.

Fermentation in Stainless Steel tank at controlled temperature.

"Green-tinged gold. Mineral-accented melon, peach and pear scents are complicated by hints of ginger and chamomile. Supple, expansive and seamless in texture, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors that are braced and lifted by a jolt of bitter lemon pith. Closes silky and long, with subtle, lingering floral and mineral notes. - Josh Raynolds"

- Vinous (January 2017), 90 pts

"The white 2015 Vilerma shows really well for the warm vintage. It's mainly Treixadura (67%) and the rest a myriad other varieties including Godello, Albariño, Lado, Loureira, Caíño and Torrontés. It ferments in stainless steel and is bottled unoaked and without malolactic fermentation. It's very classic with notes of flowers, herbs, white fruit and a fresh, soft palate, with less acidity that 2014. Nicely balanced, approachable and easy to drink. 45,775 bottles produced. I also tasted a 2012 that was to die for, with great complexity, nuance and depth. Bravo! - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #232, August 2017), 91 pts

This one-hundred-percent Merlot has really nice, bright red fruit, rose petals, and a richness on the nose. Flavors of plum, mountain strawberry and mocha come together with a balanced mouth feel and a long finish. Though it was a cooler vintage, I feel we have still captured the powerfully elegant style for which we are known.

Review:

"The 2014 Columbia Valley Merlot (100% Merlot) is a ripe, black fruit, plum, leafy herbs and mineral-scented effort that has medium to full-bodied richness, moderate mid-palate depth and tons of upfront charm. It's going to drink nicely through 2024."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 90 pts

"The aromas bring notes of dried herb, vanilla bean, wood spice and black cherry. The flavors are rich and luscious, supported by plump ripe tannins. The finish lingers."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2017), 91 pts

Amaren Rioja Barrel Fermented Blanco is made from 85% Viura and 15% Malvasia

The demanding level that is set in Amaren requires that all the wines are produced in limited quantities. Vine plants are composed of small clusters which make perfect ripening possible with a high concentration of nuances. A wine with great aromatic intensity and elegance.

Color: Straw-yellow in color.
Nose: High aromatic intensity, blended nuances of syrup fruit and cake.
Palate: In the mouth it is smooth and round, with a high complexity of citric flavors (lemon peel), hints of pineapple, pipe tobacco and aromatic plants with a mineral and extremely elegant finish.

Review:

"The barrel-fermented 2016 Blanco Fermentado en Barrica is a classical blend of Viura with 15% Malvasía Riojana, aged with intense work with the lees for ten months. It has plenty of character and is a bit leesy, with a reductive personality. It combines some creamy notes and citrus freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with good freshness and a serious profile. 20,000 bottles were filled in September 2017.- Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Adovcate (Issue #235, February 2018), 90 pts

Avennia Valery Red Blend is made from 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc

Valery is named for the patron saint of wine in the St. Emilion region that inspired it.
We started with old vine Merlot from a stony block in the heart of the Yakima Valley and added complex, aromatic Cabernet Franc from the Horse Heaven Hills. The result is a balanced, complex wine with the elegance and ethereal perfume that this blend of two of Washington’s best varietals are known for.

The nose on this wine is very perfumed, almost exotic with notes of fresh violets, red plum, winter mint, fresh herbs and crushed limestone qualities. The palate is poised and balanced, with red fruits and mocha powder encapsulated in limestone. The finish lingers delicately, with the Cabernet Franc asserting a light tobacco and herb note, giving depth. A compelling wine that will continue to unwind for 7-10 years in the cellar.

Review:

Tasted out of barrel and a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Valery offers lots of leafy herbs, tobacco leaf, black cherries and a touch of dark chocolate in an elegant, focused, fresh style. The estate's Right Bank-styled release, it too should drink nicely in its youth, yet also evolve for 10-15 years. - Wine Advocate 91-93 Points

Blending Detail:

• 49 % Grenache
• 20% Syrah
• 16% Cinsault
• 9% Mourvêdre
• 6% Counoise

Grenache speaks loudly in the Bésoleil with notes of pomegranate, red raspberry, and strawberry leaf. The Counoise and Cinsualt bring bing cherry fruit and blueberry notes to the table, complicated by pepper and garrique. Mourvedre donates a wild meatiness to the blend, and a purple hue. Syrah rounds things out, adding texture, and flesh to the palate.

"Always an enjoyable, outstanding effort, the 2014 Grenache Besoleil offers classic notes of cherries, herbes de Provence, red plums and pepper in a fine, elegant, medium to full-bodied style. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 91 pts

Medium red. Sexy, high-toned red cherry and red berry aromas showcase the wine's Grenache component (but this vintage features the lowest percentage to date of this variety). Bright, ripe raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by smoky and peppery nuances. A very graceful red blend with sweet tannins and excellent persistence.

-- Stephen Tanzer 91 Points