"The Best $10 Red Wine"
Las Rocas de San Alejandro, Grenache 2002 ($22) -- Spain. Eric Solomon Import. (The price is restaurant pricing.) I just tasted at JeanRo's Bistro for lunch. A wine rep from a competing wine distributor ordered and said, "Flat out, this is the best $10 red wine!" Nice endorsement! I completely agree and then I find out I can't buy it in a store as it is on restaurant lists only. I understand this business model for the mid to higher end wines, but please let me buy some. Please!!! Here is a write-up from fellow blogger, Dr. Vino:
Las Rocas de San Alejandro, old vine Grenache, 2002, $7.79 Las Rocas "may be the greatest wine value I have ever tasted" according to Robert Parker who bestowed 91 points on this Grenache from 75 year old vines in the remote Calatayud region. With many great wines under $10 available, Parker’s comments may seem hyperbolic, but the Las Rocas does have has (sic) certain stand-out characteristics. Most notable is an ability to evolve in the glass that is rare for wines of this price. When first opened, the wine is closed, without striking aromas or flavors. But left to open up for an hour, the wine’s aroma becomes more complex with a sweet black cherries and smoke and a long, pleasant finish. Decanting essential. Eric Solomon, importer.
Hey Doc, got any extra bottles?
[Post Script: After much begging I was able to secure some 2003. The 2002 is gone, or is in short supply and is being held back to suport the wine list. The '03 seems to have more of a Grenache (read fruit and cherry) nose and is well balanced with a bit more tannins. It sounds crazy to suggest cellaring a $10 wine for a year or so, but I think this will improve with age. Or decant as recommended above. For $10 it is a great buy!]
Las Rocas de San Alejandro, old vine Grenache, 2002, $7.79 Las Rocas "may be the greatest wine value I have ever tasted" according to Robert Parker who bestowed 91 points on this Grenache from 75 year old vines in the remote Calatayud region. With many great wines under $10 available, Parker’s comments may seem hyperbolic, but the Las Rocas does have has (sic) certain stand-out characteristics. Most notable is an ability to evolve in the glass that is rare for wines of this price. When first opened, the wine is closed, without striking aromas or flavors. But left to open up for an hour, the wine’s aroma becomes more complex with a sweet black cherries and smoke and a long, pleasant finish. Decanting essential. Eric Solomon, importer.
Hey Doc, got any extra bottles?
[Post Script: After much begging I was able to secure some 2003. The 2002 is gone, or is in short supply and is being held back to suport the wine list. The '03 seems to have more of a Grenache (read fruit and cherry) nose and is well balanced with a bit more tannins. It sounds crazy to suggest cellaring a $10 wine for a year or so, but I think this will improve with age. Or decant as recommended above. For $10 it is a great buy!]
posted by jens at cincinnati wine at 3:56 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home