Balnea 2021
Located in Castilla y Leon on the Duero river, approximately 90 miles northwest of Madrid, Rueda is renowned for its dry and aromatic white wines primarily produced from the Verdejo grape. This producer practices organic farming and rely on 100% manual harvesting, using only grapes from the over 25-year-old vines. The grapes are estate-grown and crafted by Maria Jesus Hernandez, one of the few female winemakers in the area. With generations of vineyard ownership in her family, Maria is the first to pursue winemaking.
The wine 100% verdejo presents citrus and herbal scents on the nose, while its body is creamy and delicate. It is an ideal refreshment for the spring and summer seasons.
$13. 
Bodegas de Familia Burgo Viejo – Finca Vidales Blanco 2020
I know very little about the origin of this wine, Bodegas de Famila Burgo Viejo supposedly makes it but there is no mention of it on their site and Finca Vidales Blanco comes up only under retailers. I tasted this from the importers Winedom Imports, but even they have no listings for this Spanish wine.
This wine originates from the La Rioja region and is crafted entirely from Viura grapes. It boasts a pale straw color and exudes a fragrant bouquet of nectarine, pear, green pineapple, and spice. On the palate, it is characterized by an elegant profile and slight neutrality in flavor, with a medium body that culminates in a clean and refreshing finish.
$15.
Mencia Joven “El Castro de Valtuille” 2020
Castro Ventosa is a renowned winery based in Bierzo, which is located in Castilla y Leon. The estate has been owned by the Perez family since its establishment in 1752, and they remain the proud owners to this day. With 75 hectares of Mencía vineyards under their care, the Perez family is the largest cultivator of this varietal within the Bierzo D.O.
Crafted entirely from Mencía grapes, this wine boasts a dark garnet hue and an exceptionally expressive character. On the nose, it reveals lively aromas of wild berries, cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. On the palate, it is smooth and supple, with a full-bodied texture and a clean, refreshing finish that leaves a lasting impression. The wine is well-balanced and ready to be enjoyed now.
$20.
Bodegas Breca – Old Vine Garnacha 2019 Calatayud
This wine is truly exceptional, as it is made solely from the Garnacha de Aragón grape, which is the oldest clone of Garnacha in existence. This grape variety was first cultivated in the northeastern region of Spain and eventually spread throughout the Mediterranean.
Despite its high quality and distinctive flavor profile, this wine is also of great value. It is rare to find a wine with such character and finesse at such an affordable price point.
The wine boasts a complex aroma profile, with ripe black fruit notes combined with spices such as black pepper. On the nose, one can detect currants, cassis, and cherries, along with a subtle hint of figs. The wine’s texture is creamy and medium-bodied, with firm tannins that give way to rich, dried strawberry flavors on the palate. The wine’s flavorful finish lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression of its exceptional quality.
$20.
Gonzalez Byass Pedro Ximénez – Nectar
Pedro Ximénez is a white wine grape that has gained widespread recognition for its role in producing sweet sherries in Jerez, Spain. Due to its exceptionally low acidity, it is not particularly well-suited for table wine production. However, it truly shines as a fortified wine, either as a component of a sherry blend or as a fortified single-variety wine known as PX.
This particular Pedro Ximénez caught my eye, as it was tucked away from the other wines on display. Upon taking a whiff of the wine, I was immediately drawn in by its classic aroma of sweet, syrupy overripe raisins. It was as if I wanted to dive straight into the glass! This particular PX, called Nectar, is likely to have a residual sugar content of around 35%. While it is ready to drink, it is best enjoyed in small quantities due to its high sugar content. In other words, one small glass of this exquisite wine should be more than enough to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.
$25.