This was a fun tasting that showcased two very different approaches in Spain. The first three wines embrace a newer natural winemaking approach with native yeast fermentation and aging in stainless steel or cement. The last two wines from Rioja are a very traditional, old school style with lots of oak aging. I think they are all good at what they do and provided a super cool lineup to taste through.

Bodegas Venta La Vega Lluvia Bianco 2021 - $13.99

The Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc from which this wine is comprised come together beautifully on the nose with aromas of garden herbs and nuances of freshly cut grass. The palate is unmistakable Spanish with yellow fruit flavors up front and candied fruit lingering on the finish. The mid-palate offers some breadth but firm and lively acidity makes the overall impression lifted and bright. The Sauvignon Blanc peaks out here and there with a slight hint of jalapeño trying to sneak out.

Celler Pardas Pell A Pell 2021 - $26.99

The color of this wine has a golden hue thanks to the 12 days soaking on the skins of the Xarel-lo grapes after pressing. The nose ix very expressive with notes of honey and cider. The palate has an enticing texture from the skin contact with more cider notes up front building to warm spices finish. There is ton to discover as you unpack this wine. It is natural wine done by a pro and avoiding the common pitfalls of the genre. The Xarel-lo grapes are grown organically in Chalk and Clay soils, foot stomped, fermented with native yeast and aged in Stainless steel.

Celler Pardas sus Scrofa 2021 - $22.99

Sumoll is an almost extinct grape variety native to Catolonia where Penedes is located and this wine is made. The nose tips you off right away that this is a natural wine. Native yeast fermentation and 50% Whole cluster fermentation are done in cement tanks. The aromas are bright and brambly. The palate jumps to life as it hits your tongue with juicy red fruit cut by tart less ripe flavors that create a beautiful tension in the wine. This showed great at room temperature and would like be quite playful with a bit of a chill.

Voché Rioja Reserva 2016 - $19.99

The first of two wines we poured from Voché, the 2016 Reserva Rioja shows the toasty coconut aromatics of oak aging. The palate is spicy with a warm, long finish. There is a rich, weighty mouth-feel with notes of black tea and perhaps a hint of licorice. This is a wines that will continue to age well evolves for hours after opening a bottle.

Voché Vino de Autor Rioja 2001 - $29.99

It's fun to get our hands on wines with some serious bottle age like this. This wine is showing great maturity with no signs of decline. The tannins are silky, smooth (two words you're not supposed to use anymore but are perfect descriptors in this case). I enjoy the texture of the wine just as much as I do the flavor. The oak plays a prominent role but it is integrated seamlessly into the notes of baked earth, sour cherry and clove. It is a wine to take your time with and drink over the course of an evening.

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Brad