Star buys of 2015: Spain and Portugal
See below for Decanter star buys of 2015 Spain and Portugal
Back to: Top wines of 2015 – Decanter 50 star buys main page
There is a strong showing for Portuguese wine in the list of Decanter star buys for 2015, from vintage Port to Douro wines and Vinho Verde – as the collection below shows.
They are joined by Rioja reserva 2010 and a premium gran reserva Cava from the 2009 vintage.
All of these star buys from Spain and Portugal were originally judged as ‘outstanding’ in Decanter expert tastings. In other words, they scored at least 95 points. They were subsequently re-tasted blind by Peter Richards MW, Sarah Jane Evans MW and Xavier Rousset MS.
See the wines from Spain and Portugal below – with Portugal faring particularly well, with seven out of the ten wines, showing the quality of the red wines, as well as Port.
There’s also a premium Cava from Spain, demonstrating the high quality achievable from this style of sparkling wine.
Back to Top wines of 2015: Decanter star buys
Codorníu, Gran Codorniu Gran Reserva Xarel-lo, Cava, Catalonia, Spain, 2009
95
In a wooden presentation case with the other two Gran Cordornius (right and opposite page). Brisk, vivid and penetrating – a gloriously tooth-tingling Cava. A fascinating Xarel-lo, with limpid, lemon cream notes.
2009
CodorníuCava
Quinta de Soalheiro, Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde, Portugal, 2013
95
<p><em><strong>Star buy of 2015 </strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p>Clean, expressive apricot and peach aromas. Very aromatic and classic with a broad, full, herbal palate and a rounded finish. A solid Alvarinho.</p>
2013
Quinta de SoalheiroMonção e Melgaço
Arrayán, La Suerte, Méntrida, Spain, 2012
95
<p>Arrayán’s success is symbolic of the renewed energy and enthusiasm in some of Spain’s forgotten regions – in this case Méntrida. The approach may be modern, but it is based on the old vines and history of Garnacha in the region. The vineyard is on poor sandy soils at 700m – just the kind of higher-altitude site sought to prevent the resulting wine from toppling over into blowsiness. The project was launched in 1988 with the help of two top names: the Australian viticultural expert Richard Smart, who has worked across the Iberian peninsula, and in the winery the enthusiastic and insightful Miguel Angel de Gregorio of Rioja’s Finca Allende.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW </em></strong><br /> Delicate, perfumed, floral. Balanced, deep, well-structured, complex and long. Lovely!</p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>Sarah Jane Evans MW </strong></em><br /> Pale in colour but impressively full of flavour. Vivid, characterful and mid-weight, with a long finish. Fresh, with glorious texture. This is an original!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Pierre Mansour </em></strong><br /> Subtle, fresh nose with some spice. Wonderfully integrated palate showing drive and presence. Fruit flavours are vibrant. Really classy.</p>
2012
Arrayán
Baron de Ley, Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010
<p>Evocative scents of coconut, woodsmoke, dark cherry and strawberry fruit. Displays punch of citrus acidity and a fine rasp of tannin on the long, classic...
2010
Baron de LeyRioja
Niepoort, Charme, Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2012
95
Coffee and caramel aromas lead on to a palate of dark cherry, plum and liquorice with a faint floral hint. Medium bodied with juicy fruits and firm tannins. Finishes a bit rustic with peppery spice. Tight, well-defined, crunchy red fruits with subtle plum-skin tartness and pronounced minerality. Fluid tannins accentuate the fine, long finish.
2012
NiepoortDouro
Prats & Symington, Chryseia, Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2012
95
Lovely, ripe dark berries with black pepper, bacon, violets and powerful tannins. Quite savoury and forceful in style with a rustic, complex finish. Poised and very classy with spicy, bright, very persistent red and black fruits, ultra-fine tannins, mineral acidity and perfumed oak.
2012
Prats & SymingtonDouro
Quinta do Vale D Maria, Curriculum Vitae, Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2012
0
Upfront, floral, creamy and plush dark fruit – seems quite modern in style. The juicy palate has a spicy, tarry character and fine powdery tannins. Quite savoury with good acidity.
2012
Quinta do Vale D MariaDouro
Quinta do Vale Meão, Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2012
95
A vibrant nose of floral, high-toned, slightly raisined fruit. Decent palate weight – but not overloaded – with a fine, peppery structure and a savoury finish. Velvety rich bergamot and woodsmoke-edged blackberry, fine powdery tannins and mineral- sluiced acidity.
2012
Quinta do Vale MeãoDouro
Quinta do Vesúvio, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 1994
Beautiful peppery aromas of prunes, plums, graphite and muscovado sugar. Unctuous and full of life, lifted by cherry and tobacco. Balanced and maturing with a...
1994
Quinta do VesúvioPort
Taylor's, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 1994
Still sullen on the nose, the underlying ripeness has more to give. The palate is fine, with linear fruit – not as rich or voluptuous...
1994
Taylor'sPort
