Grape Mates ¡Hola Iberia!

[odyssey]

Last Saturday Griff hosted the May Grape Mates event, and this month's tasting theme was Iberia.

3 carloads of thirsty Grape Mates made the long haul down to Griff's house in Sydney's quiet, semi-rural southwestern fringe. The run of 25 degree days and clear blue skies made for a pleasant drive, and along with warm welcome from Carl and Rebecca an extremely excitable welcome was provided by their very friendly blue heeler Holly, who took great pleasure in running madly back and forth to every arrival, repeatedly greeting them face to face.

Carl and Rebecca are amazingly gracious and generous hosts, with Rebecca spending endless hours in the kitchen providing meal after meal of beautiful, rich Iberian-themed food and Carl generously opening post-tasting champagne and ports.

The Wines (a mix of the official theme and occasional ringins):

2007 Raventós i Blanc Cava Brut L'Hereu

1991 R. López de Heredia Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva

1989 Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea
1990 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 anos Ribera del Duero

1997 Fra Fulco Priorat
1994 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva

1973 R. López de Heredia Tondonia Gran Reserva

2001 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
1998 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

20?? Collita Roja Pardas

2002 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva
2002 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 anos

2011 De Iuliis Cellar Release Tempranillo

2009 Chestnut Grove Manjimup Reserve Chardonnay

1977 Sandeman Vintage Port
1983 Niepoort's Vintage Port
1985 Warre's Vintage Port
1983 Gould Campbell Vintage Port

Veritas Old Shed Tawny Port
Romate Cardenal Cisneros Pedro Ximinez

Glenfarclas 15 Years
Glen Orrin 30 Years

2006 Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Paradoxe Premier Cru Brut
NV Pol Roger



The Awesome Menu

Tapas:
Prosciutto
Frittata
Gazpacho
Clams with garlic
Smoked sardines
Tortilla and Olives
Grilled Chorizo
Morcilla with Bocconcini

Mains:
Bacalhau com Natas
Slow-roasted lamb with figs
Confit pork belly with Moorish spices
Rebecca's spanish rice
Fennel salad

Cheese Course:
Stilton, cheddar, manchego, camenbert, delice d'Affinois

Dessert:
Creme Catalan


Hopefully Cam might be able to provide some extended notes in time, but some impressions:

Wines that impressed me were: the Cava, which was a crisp and elegant way to start, punching above its weight. The white rioja was ageing gracefully. The Fra Fulco was a generous and very moreish wine. Both of the Ygays were stunning, with the 98 being readier for drinking and the 01 looking well structured for the future.

The Unico was so tightly wound it seemed ready to explode - a monstrously impressive young wine that needs another 30 years (I kept about 20ml for 5 hours in the glass and it just started to open up at the end). The Niepoort's was the VP of choice for most, for its surprisingly savoury characters and length. I think I may have been in the minority in finding the '85 Warre's to be very impressive - young and big and brash for its age with what looks like a good future ahead.

Inevitably after somebody stated that there were no corked wines, my 1977 Sandemans (a birthyear wine), turned out corked - which I then replaced with a backup aussie Tawny from Veritas. A rich and very pleasant tawny, but not enough to fill the growing hole in my increasingly cork-hating heart . #FUCork

After which, Arnie proceeded to open his rich, thick PX and started to make rather disturbing noises over his glass.... think "When Harry Met Sally".

A few whiskies later and Carl in his very generous manner made numerous trips to the cellar to open more champagne and more VP, topping off an awesome night.







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[maybs]

That sounds like a ridiculously good night. The food looks sensational!

[9redpens]

Love your work, Mr Oddessy, especially the action shot and not just because of the dude second from the right.

Such a shame about the Sandeman as those in the know where telling me it was a contender for best port! As you so gracefully articulated, full marks to the hosts!

I thought the Vega's both drunk really well and the 02 unico, to me, didn’t seem to be as viniciadal as the 99 I tried, with these two representing 100% of my Unico tasting experience.

Honourable mention to the 98 Ygay for being in a great spot (though many commented the 01 may be the better wine with time) and that Manjimup chardonnay, so capable, a good cooking wine I was advised!

[odyssey]

the 02 unico, to me, didn’t seem to be as viniciadal as the 99 I tried, with these two representing 100% of my Unico tasting experience.

Ah, an expert!

[rossmckay]

Ah Tondonia, what extraordinary wines. I'll be there in September so really looking froward to it

[griff]

I agree Tondonia were nice; the white a standout. It was a nice line-up overall. I am partial to port so I liked the Niepoort 1983 and the Gould Campbell 1983. It is a decent vintage and in my mind the best of the 80's. A shame that the Sandeman was corked as underneath I think that would have been a smashing port. As for the wines I particularly like the Vega boys (with the older 90 to boot). Classy wines! The Ygays were another strong pair with the 98 more open but the 01 will be the better wine with time.

cheers

Carl

p.s. anyone know if the Tondonia rosado is imported? I seem to recall getting it at Steve's in Perth a few years ago but haven't seen it lately.

[camw]

anyone know if the Tondonia rosado is imported?

It is listed on the importers page, a quick search shows some restaurants have it, so must be available in some way.

[JDSJDS]

A tour guide at the winery last year said they have stopped making the rosado. I don't know if it is true, but if you see any at retail, I'd grab it!

[griff]

Eek! I had better get onto it!

[Panda 9D]

I couldn't find any Tondonia Rose in Rioja or anywhere else in Spain.

[markg]

Wow.. Looks like a great lineup !