2005 Palacio de Menade, Cuevas de Castilla, Cuvee RS, Rueda ($8.99) K&L’s favorite Rueda is back and ready for your summertime sipping. Bright and crisp, this Verdejo has the freshness and liveliness of some of the top Loire Valley whites for half the price. Enjoy this unoaked wine with fresh seafood hot off the grill!
2004 Cuatro Pasos Bierzo ($9.99) This 100% mencia is a revelation! It is a red with plenty of ripe fruit and spice. The perfectly balanced acidity lifts the flavors in order to create one heck of a charming red. I love this wine with roast chicken!
2003 Biurko Los Valles Crianza Rioja ($11.99) Made from 100% tempranillo, this is aged in a mix of French and American oak. This complex red is grown at high altitude (over 1200 feet) with vines between 15-20 years old. The rich concentrated fruit is beautifully balanced with acidity and minerality. This wine is a must try with rack of lamb…oh yeah, and it’s certified organic in the EU!
2003 Viña Izadi, Rioja, Crianza ($13.99) Our favorite Rioja red is back and with a new vintage. Filled with ripe black cherry fruit, this tinto has plenty of oak, depth and structure. Classic in every way, the Izadi is a great success in a year that saw many fat and flabby wines. Run to the store now and get some lamb chops. Awesome!
2005 Bodegas Arrocal Arrocal ($14.99) 90 points Wine Advocate: “The 2005 Arrocal is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in a mixture of new and used French and American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up fragrant aromas of cedar, spice box, blueberry, and blackberry. Supple-textured, the wine has gobs of sweet fruit, soft tannins, and excellent balance. Drink this outstanding value over the next 3-5 years.” —Anne Pickett