Overall, we really enjoyed the tasting, courtesy of Zoltan’s tickets which he was generous to give to us.  The Tempranillo was tasty, as was the food.  Some of the standouts from Alejandro Fernandez were awesome.  The downside was that it was very crowded, and people would just go for all of the Gran Reservas, without leisurely tasting the usual lineup of cuvees while chatting.  As a result, all of the Reservas and Gran Reservas were gone very quickly, and we only got to taste a couple.  Also, there were many overoaked wines, which are not really my taste, though maybe some would have integrated better with more bottle age.

Some of my scores...

Tinto Pesquera  (one of the most well known producers at the tasting)

2006 Tinto Pesquera: AM91

2005 Pesquera Reserva: Really closed at this stage.  They didn’t decant any of the wines.  Tough to tell where this will end up... AM92+??

2003 Janus Gran Reserva: Beautiful notes of smoked meat and flowers.  Unfortunately the bottle was slightly corked...

2002 Millenium Reserva: This was our favorite wine at the tasting.  Wonderful gamy aromas of smoked meat (I am a sucker for this in wine...), fig, layers of fruit, minerals.  Velvety and silky on the palate.  Showing really well already, but that is probably since it is an ’02 and not meant for extended aging.  I managed to get the last pour from this bottle.  I ordered a magnum of the ’96 the next day.

AM94

Condado de Haza  (also owned by Alejandro Fernandez who owns Pesquera)

2006 Condado de Haza:  AM92

2001 Alenza Gran Reserva:  Beautiful nose, strong violet, chocolate, cherry.  Closed on the palate.  AM93+?

Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro

2005 Reserva: AM91

1996 Gran Reserva: AM92-93+?

Emilio Moro (I found most of the lineup from this famous producer to be overoaked.. the guy pouring admitted they were making a couple of the cuvees for the american palate.  I was shocked to see their prices...)

2005 Malleolus: AM91

2005 Malleolus de Valderramiro:  Modern style, yet nicely balanced.  This was another I really liked.  Chocolate, violet vanilla, prunes, minerals.  Nice structure.  AM93+?

2005 Malleolus de Sanchomartin:  AM92

Callejo  (I was shocked at how very different their lineup was from the other tempranillos and from each other)

2008 Cuatro Meses: Grassy and funky.  Slightly effervescent..  Strange.. AM88

2006 Crianza: vanilla and wood.  AM89

2006 Reserva: still oaky, but more balanced  AM90

2004 Gran Reserva:  most balanced and complex  AM92

2005 Seleccion de Vinedos de la Familia:  AM90-91