Saturday, June 3rd
at Le Petit Bijou
Spanish Wine Tasting w/ José Pastor Selections!
"Importer José Pastor is a wunderkind (30 years old) with a fast growing reputation amongst wine insiders for his portfolio of Spanish wines that are typically natural in style – producers who farm organically when possible, emphasize terroir, use ambient yeasts, filter sparingly and use minimal oak. In other words, his wines, and especially his inexpensive wine selections, are what is good with the wine world."
- Jeff Lefevere, Forbes
Spanish Wine Tasting
W/ José Pastor Selections
Le Petit Bijou
Saturday, June 3rd
2pm - 4pm, $20
With Special Guest, Sean Faeth of Grassroots Wines
call 256-964-7980 to reserve!
"From old-school Rioja – a near extinct expression of Spanish winemaking – to the historic wines of Jerez and noble wines of Galicia, we’ve introduced wine lovers to little-known grapes such as Palomino and Mencía from the ancient, underappreciated terraces of Ribeira Sacra. We’ve helped Americans rediscover the rare and ungrafted vineyards of the Canary Islands. Seeking out these almost forgotten regional and delicious wines and bringing them to our customers, while helping the small growers thrive, is what continues to drive us." -José Pastor Selections
2019 AT Roca Classic Brut Nature Reserva, Penedes, Spain $25.99
This traditional method, vintage dated sparkling wine is 50% Macabeu, 30% Xarel-lo and 20% Parellada. The grapes for this wine are grown on a variety of different soil types in an effort to show an overall snapshot of Penedès terroir. The Macabeu is grown on calcareous, gravel and limestone soils in different plots located in the Massís del Garraf and the foothills of the d’Ordal mountains. The Xarel.lo is grown on clay-calcareous and alluvial soils in the Conca del Riu Anoia. Lastly, the Parellada is grown on sandstone soils in the Serra d’Ancosa at almost 700 meters above sea level. Primary fermentation is in stainless steel using natural yeasts, and then aged sur lie for a minimum of 20 months and bottled with zero dosage.
2021 Nanclares "Labrego Da Vina" Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain $48.99 (Limited!)
Albariño from 10 different plots in Cambados, Ribadumia and Portas, with vines ranging from 15 to 95 years. The wine was pressed and fermented into both stainless steel and used French oak, with 9 months of lees aging and 3 months of weekly batonnage. Medium-bodied, lower in alcohol, and with racy acidity, this richer-style dry white will pair well with caldo gallego.
2020 4 Monos Viticultores "GR-10" Tinto, Spain $24.99
The GR-10 is a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Morenillo and Syrah. The wine is named after the spectacular walking trail, GR-10, which connects Lisbon and Valencia and crosses through a few of 4 Monos' vineyards. It pours a pale mid-ruby color with garnet highlights. The GR-10 is elegant on the nose, featuring aromas of ripe red berry and stone fruits complimented by spice and a lovely floral note. The palate is fresh, lively and juicy with soft, fine-grained tannins that perfectly frame the sweet fruit and floral flavors that lead into a refined and savory finish. A mineral spine runs through the wine, adding complexity and depth. Enjoy with dry-rub pork chops, assorted cured meats or a good book.
4 Monos (4 Monkeys) is a team of four friends native to the Sierra de Gredos, a mountain range just west of Madrid. The four met while hiking in the mountains and discovered that they each had a passion for wine.
2020 Alfredo Maestro Vina Almate Tinto, Ribera del Duero, Spain $24.99
Viña Almate is the first wine that Alfredo made, named after himself (Al-ma-te). This is an entry-level Duero wine made from Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) sourced from various plots. The wine has a serious bit of stem inclusion, resulting in a powerful, spicy, and full-bodied red. It is fermented in stainless steel and spends the winter resting in vats.
2019 Curii "Una Noche y Un Día" Tinto, Alicante, Spain $24.99
The province of Alicante is known mainly for Monastrell and Moscatel, but Curii is
focused on the local clone of Garnacha called Giró, along with obscure white grapes
Trepadell and Merseguera. Here in Xaló (Jalón) about 5 miles from the Mediterranean
Sea in southeastern Spain, Violeta and Alberto are championing their local Giró vines to
produce a red wine of finesse, structure and complexity.
Una Noche y Un Día is 100% Giró harvested by hand, partially de-stemmed and foottrodden in open vats. Fermentation is with native yeast and short, daily pump-overs and
the juice stays on the skins until alcoholic fermentation has completed. The wine is then
racked to tank without pressing and raised 6 months on fine lees, and bottled with a light
filtration and small addition of SO2. It is a fresh and vibrant vino tinto, true to its
Mediterranean roots, with soil-driven and uplifted aromatics of citrus flowers, scrub
brush, anise, blue and red fruits; the palate is medium-bodied and elegant in structure
with a chalky sensation, spice, and aromatic fruit in the finish. Serve cool and perfect to
pair with the local Paellas of the region, pasta with tomato sauce and herbs, stewed
meats, and dishes with saffron. 3,500 bottles produced.
2015 Akutain Rioja Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain $77.99 (Limited!)
The 2015 Gran Reserva is a tremendous example of really traditional Rioja. The vintage was one of the most incredible ones for the estate in a long time, evidenced by their last Gran Reserva being the 2004. After fermentation, the wine spent 47 months in barrels (American and French). The palate is earthy and full, with ideal acidity, and the wood is perfectly integrated. There are layers and layers of flavor and complexity. When we tasted this at the shop everyone went silent and just nodded to each other! At the outset it's full of baked strawberry and cherry fruit, accented by the dill and vanilla character of old American oak barrels, but as one sits with it in the glass, it takes on a grander dimension. Though impressive now, it is truly meant for aging and is just beginning to show its potential.