The Top 30 That Turned My Head in this Tasting
by Melanie Ofenloch, the Dallas Wine Chick
Wines of Navarra
I had the opportunity to taste several bottles from the Navarra Denominación de Origen (DO) of Spain, which is located right below France. The terroir is a series of valleys and mountains in Northern Spain. Navarra is known for its climatic diversity and microclimates. Once known for Garnacha-based Rosado, but with French varieties being introduced in 1980, the region now has a variety of wines including Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here are my favorites that I tried and I have to note that the last two are under $10, which make them a great bargain:
2015 Principe de Viana Edicion Rosé – this was an easy drinking rosé with notes of cherry, strawberry, nectarine and citrus.
2015 Ochoa Calendas Bianco – a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 43% Viura, and 7% Moscatel de Grano Menudo. Notes of stone fruit, citrus, peaches, pears, flowers and minerality burst from the glass.
2014 Vega del Castillo Garnacha Cepas Viejas 2014 – Lots of black cherries, raspberries, violets, spice.