Monemvasia Voltes White Blend 2020
Origin: Laconia, Greece
Retail: $11.95 | Sale: $10.76
Monemvasia Winery was founded in 1997, in Monemvasia, Laconia. The initiative was part of a more extensive business plan with a clear objective, the revival of the Malvasia wine in its birthplace. Voltes is a blend of two native grape varieties: Roditis and Moschofilero. The winery created the first privately owned 121 hectares of vineyard, planted with local varieties. It is committed to producing quality wines which showcase the characteristics of the indigenous varieties and the terroir of the peninsula of Malleus. The Roditis grapes are grown in selected vineyards in the region of Achaia, in semi-mountainous terrain. The variety is late-ripening and suited to a Mediterranean climate. The pink-skinned, aromatic Moschofilero grapes are from vineyards in the plateau of Mantineia in Arcadia. The cool micro-climates of both regions, combined with the characteristics of both varieties, contribute to the freshness and aromatic nature of this blend. The grapes are hand-harvested. Each variety was vinified separately. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 18°C, followed by short maceration on the fine lees to impart texture and subtle complexity. Light yellow color, aromas of freshly cut flowers, green apple, stone fruits, a smooth mouth-feel, pleasant acidity and finish. 50% Moschofilero 50% Roditis
Finca Torremilanos Montecastrillo Rosado 2022
Origin: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Retail: $13.95 | Sale: $12.56
Founded in 1903, the 200-hectare Finca Torremilanos in Aranda de Duero is the second-oldest wine-producing estate in Ribera del Duero (after Vega Sicilia). The current regime dates to the late 70s and was instrumental in the establishment of the DO in 1982. Pilar Pérez Albéniz, one of the most respected women in the region and winner of the inaugural ‘Ribera Heritage’ Award in 2019, is still at the helm, with two of her sons, Ricardo and Vicente, handling winemaking and sales respectively. They were the first-ever Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in the appellation. The deep color comes from the direct pressing of the red grapes. The must has contact with the skin for only a few seconds and fermentation occurs at low temperature in oak barrels and a stainless steel tank. The wine is briefly aged for 3 months prior to bottling. Bright strawberry in color, the nose on this wine is sweet and immediate, with abundant memories of sweets, some fennel and a background of petals of red rose. On the palate, it is light but has bold flavors, fresh, very food acidity, the right bitter touches and quite a long finish. 95% Tempranillo 5% Garnacha
Monemvasia Voltes Red Blend 2020
Origin: Laconia, Greece
Retail: $11.95 | Sale: $10.76
Voltes Red is a blend of two native grape varieties: Agiorgitiko and Mavroudi. Both varieties are grown in Laconia, near Monemvasia, where the climate is warm and dry. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 200 meters above sea-level, which offers cooler nights, resulting in balancing natural freshness. The vines are planted in clay-loam soils; the clay component has good water retention properties helping to nourish the vines during the warm, dry growth period. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimum maturity. The two varieties were co-fermented, using classic red vinification techniques. Following careful sorting, the grapes undergo moderate maceration to extract the color, flavor and fine tannins to impart structure. Fermentation took place under temperature control with selected yeasts, followed by brief maturation on the fine lees, which imbues the wine with texture and added complexity. Deep ruby color, aromas and flavors of red fruits, sweet spices, well-structured with balanced acidity, soft tannins, and a pleasant finish. 50% Agiorgitiko 50% Mavroudi
Finca Torremilanos El Porrón de Lara 2021
Origin: Castilla y Leon, Spain
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.96
The Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León Red 2021 El Porrón de Lara tries to recover the wines made in this area from before the 1990s, but it was disqualified by the Ribera del Duero appellation and is sold as Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León because they said the grapes were green. It has 13.5% alcohol—certainly ripe and not green—and was produced with Tempranillo from their organic and biodynamic vineyards picked at two different times, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in barrel for nine months. It's serious, harmonious and very tasty, balanced and clean, with fine-grained tannins. Bright, high-toned aromas of mountain herbs and flowers lead to a juicy, saliva-inducing palate with waves of crunchy strawberry and raspberry fruit. Pleasantly structured but still light enough for a chill. 100% Tempranillo