Tasting January 2025
Held at La Senia restaurant at Nou Roma Hotel in Denia on 16 January 2025
This was the first tasting of 2025, held immediately following the AGM, hosted by Neville and Sara Richardson. It was attended by 44 members and guests, numbers being reduced by several health issues on the day. As is traditional, the wines tasted were our highest scoring of the previous year. There was one exception, as only one white (and no rosado) featured in the top ten, Neville chose to include the Ceramic Sauvignon Blanc from the December tasting (which was not scored).
| Wine 1 Name and Vintage | Quintaluna 2021, Vidas y Vinos Ossian, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon, 100% Verdejo |
| Price per bottle | €13.00 |
| Wine 1 Description | Penin 92 points. Produced in Segovia and expresses the freshness of the authentic Segovian verdejo. This is a Vino de la Tierra which allows producers to experiment and innovate more than a DO.Full bodied, well balanced freshness, straw colour. Aromas of peach and pear accompanied by citrus fruits white flowers, jasmin and dried herbs. |
| Wine 2 Name and Vintage | Ceramic Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Vicente Gandia, DOP Utiel Requena, 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Price per bottle | €10.75 |
| Wine 2 Description | An interesting and different Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are pressed gently to extract pure ripe fruit. Fermented in oak barrels which are lightly toasted with volcanic stone imported from Iceland. This gives a different nuance compared with flame being applied directly to the oak. The wine is further developed in earthenware jars, hence the ‘ceramic’ name. The wine has elegant aromas of ripe tropical fruit, citrus, mango, pineapple, herbaceous, elderberry, fresh hay and spices such as pepper. The palate has a good level of acidity and smoky notes |
| Wine 3 Name and Vintage | Rioja Vega Gran Reserva 2017, DOCa Rioja, Tempranillo/Graciano/Mazuelo |
| Price per bottle | €16.51 |
| Wine 3 Description | This is a serious and excellent Rioja Gran Reserva. More expensive, but you get what you pay for with this wine, one to impress your friends and family.This wine is matured for three years in American Oak followed by at least two years in bottle. Ruby red colour with a medium though not overpowering taste. An elegant and well balanced wine with aromas of mature red fruits, accompanied by cinnamon, vanilla and toasted bread. Integrated soft tannins and a smooth velvety mouth feel, with a long palate |
| Wine 4 Name and Vintage | Pago de Otazu 2021, DOP Navarra, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Price per bottle | €19.00 |
| Wine 4 Description | A definite food wine which shines in that setting. Matured for 12 months in French Oak barrels. Rich red dark fruit, lilac flowers and a bit of spice with already balanced oak. A light touch of leather, subtle balsamic and toasted hints on a strong mineral background. |
| Wine 5 Name & Vintage | Terrenal d’Aubert 2020 (sweet red), Vinyes del Terrer, DO Tarragona, Grenache/Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| Price per bottle | €9.08 (37.5 cl bottle) |
| Wine 5 Description | This sweet red wine is fermented in stainless steel for 20 days. To achieve the sweetness, fermentation is stopped by cooling and then mascerated on the skins for 40 days to maximise the flavour extraction. It is then aged in French oak for 10 months. It is a deep red colour. The nose has intense aromas of red fruits, cocoa and vanilla with a mineral background. On the palate it is lightly sweet with a pleasant persistent finish. |
| Closing Comments | Another great experience at La Senia. We’re now looking forward to a well planned mixture of events and trips in 2025. |
| Prepared by | Neville |
