A Day in the Penedes
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November 25, 2007
Rimarts
Cava Reserva-a blend of Xarel-lo, Parellada and
Macabeo aged nearly two years on the lees;
aromatic with clean apple aromas, medium bubbles
and mouth filling, just enough acid on the finish,
recommended as an aperitif *
Cava Gran Reserva-adds chardonnay to the
blend, spending as much as five years before
disgorging and thereby developing tremendous
secondary characteristics of freshly baked pies and
white peaches, very fine bubbles, powerful, though
velvety, becoming more nutty in the mouth,
exceptional on its own or with light dishes **
Mas Comtal
2005 Pommel de Blanc-equal parts Xarel-lo and
Chardonnay, it is aged in stainless stell, with no
malo and some stirring on the lees, a light lemon
drop floral nose gives way to a medium body with
some pleasant herbaceousness that finishes with
clean acidity.
2003 Petrea Blanc-contains 85% Chardonnay with
the remainder being Xarel-lo, barrel aged nose of
toasted chestnuts and quince skin, spicey tightly
wound palate of vanilla bean, slightly creamy,
some minerality poking through on the splendid
finish, recommended for short term aging *
2007 Rosat de Llagima-a 100% merlot rose, a
barrel sample, deep hued, on the verge being
bottled, fresh rose rose aromas burst forth, great
fruit intensity and weight, showing noticeable
viscosity, melting into to pleasant plums on a fine
finish, firmed up by excellent acidity, an
exceptional rose for red wine drinkers **
2004 Negre d´Anyada-light garnet color, with a
cherry blueberry nose and a touch of smokiness.
The medium light palate is a touch grainy and
finishes clean. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and Cabernet Sauvignon.
2003 Petrea Red¬-pure merlot with dark color
and thick legs, an entense floral nose of
boysenberries and dates leading to a dark covert
of spiceness and chocolate on the full palate, the
chalky tannins becoming smoother with air, an
exceptional vin de garde **
Jean Leon
2006 Terrasola Chardonnay¬-pear and wet stone
on the nose, clean, fruity and simple.
2003 Vinya Gigi Chardonnay-expressive hazlenut,
papaya and apple pie crumb nose, fat and full,
loaded with buttery oak.
2004 Merlot Vinya Palau-brilliant garnet color
with a clean tobaco, blackberry nose becoming
plumy and smoky on the medium full and rahter
soft palate, picks up spiceness with air, and gains
warmth, finishing with just enough acid to be
recommended *
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva-pretty violet
oaky nose with cassis and olives, very full bodied
and a bit monolithic the moment, picking up some
minerality with the exceptionally long finish **
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva-toasty
cedary muhlberry nose, open knit elegant and
smooth in the mouth with a hint of earthiness,
integrated tannins, but recommended to age for
further complexity *
Rimarts
Cava Reserva-a blend of Xarel-lo, Parellada and
Macabeo aged nearly two years on the lees;
aromatic with clean apple aromas, medium bubbles
and mouth filling, just enough acid on the finish,
recommended as an aperitif *
Cava Gran Reserva-adds chardonnay to the
blend, spending as much as five years before
disgorging and thereby developing tremendous
secondary characteristics of freshly baked pies and
white peaches, very fine bubbles, powerful, though
velvety, becoming more nutty in the mouth,
exceptional on its own or with light dishes **
Mas Comtal
2005 Pommel de Blanc-equal parts Xarel-lo and
Chardonnay, it is aged in stainless stell, with no
malo and some stirring on the lees, a light lemon
drop floral nose gives way to a medium body with
some pleasant herbaceousness that finishes with
clean acidity.
2003 Petrea Blanc-contains 85% Chardonnay with
the remainder being Xarel-lo, barrel aged nose of
toasted chestnuts and quince skin, spicey tightly
wound palate of vanilla bean, slightly creamy,
some minerality poking through on the splendid
finish, recommended for short term aging *
2007 Rosat de Llagima-a 100% merlot rose, a
barrel sample, deep hued, on the verge being
bottled, fresh rose rose aromas burst forth, great
fruit intensity and weight, showing noticeable
viscosity, melting into to pleasant plums on a fine
finish, firmed up by excellent acidity, an
exceptional rose for red wine drinkers **
2004 Negre d´Anyada-light garnet color, with a
cherry blueberry nose and a touch of smokiness.
The medium light palate is a touch grainy and
finishes clean. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and Cabernet Sauvignon.
2003 Petrea Red¬-pure merlot with dark color
and thick legs, an entense floral nose of
boysenberries and dates leading to a dark covert
of spiceness and chocolate on the full palate, the
chalky tannins becoming smoother with air, an
exceptional vin de garde **
Jean Leon
2006 Terrasola Chardonnay¬-pear and wet stone
on the nose, clean, fruity and simple.
2003 Vinya Gigi Chardonnay-expressive hazlenut,
papaya and apple pie crumb nose, fat and full,
loaded with buttery oak.
2004 Merlot Vinya Palau-brilliant garnet color
with a clean tobaco, blackberry nose becoming
plumy and smoky on the medium full and rahter
soft palate, picks up spiceness with air, and gains
warmth, finishing with just enough acid to be
recommended *
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva-pretty violet
oaky nose with cassis and olives, very full bodied
and a bit monolithic the moment, picking up some
minerality with the exceptionally long finish **
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva-toasty
cedary muhlberry nose, open knit elegant and
smooth in the mouth with a hint of earthiness,
integrated tannins, but recommended to age for
further complexity *
Commendation
system
*** Sublime- truly
remarkable,
memorable to all
senses; wines that
launch a thousand
tongues or paddles.
**Exceptional-
exceeds
expectations, a top
wine, worth paying
up for and tracking
down.
*Recommended-tru
e to form and type,
worth seeking out
or suggesting to
friends.
Non starred-Not
commended-from
average to
disappointing and
dismal; some
atypical or
overpriced.
Believe none of
what you hear, half
of what you see
and all of what you
taste
system
*** Sublime- truly
remarkable,
memorable to all
senses; wines that
launch a thousand
tongues or paddles.
**Exceptional-
exceeds
expectations, a top
wine, worth paying
up for and tracking
down.
*Recommended-tru
e to form and type,
worth seeking out
or suggesting to
friends.
Non starred-Not
commended-from
average to
disappointing and
dismal; some
atypical or
overpriced.
Believe none of
what you hear, half
of what you see
and all of what you
taste