Two great, affordable Spanish reds

spain

Two great, affordable Spanish reds

Two really good Spanish reds here, which I have tasted (and drunk) as part of my research in compiling a Top 100 reds under £10 feature.

Spain has been particularly strong in this price bracket. The reason? Lots of old vines, and good wine growing terroirs. When the oak use is restrained, or absent even, the quality of the fruit shows through.

The first wine is from Bodegas Monteabellón in Ribera del Duero. The wines are made by Isaac Fernandez, nephew of the famous es-Vega Sicilia winemaker Marino Garcia. This is their unoaked cuvee.

Avaniel Tempranillo Ribera del Duero 2011 Spain
14% alcohol. Warm, sweet, open blackberry and plum nose is ripe and sleek. The palate is fresh, pure and silky textured with lovely ripe cherry and blackberry fruit. Very stylish. Some jammy notes, but overall it stays fresh. 91/100 (£9.75 Berry Bros & Rudd)

The second wine is made by Juan Carlos López de Lacalle of Artadi. He found this Navarra property in the early 1990s, and now makes a stylish Garnacha that over-delivers for the price point.

Artazuri Garnacha 2011 Navarra, Spain
14% alcohol. Lovely fresh raspberry fruit nose. Crunchy, lively and pure. The palate is ripe, supple and elegant with bright cherry and raspberrry fruit, finishing with some grippiness. Vibrant and juicy, and quite lovely. 90/100 (£9.95 Berry Bros & Rudd)

1 Comment on Two great, affordable Spanish redsTagged , ,
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

One thought on “Two great, affordable Spanish reds

  1. I have been fortunate to sample Artazuri over the years, never a duff bottle. The pinkie is always very good.

Leave a Reply

Back To Top