Everyone is now zooming about wine. Some of these are a complete rip offs. Example: $25.00 to Zoom about Chardonnay. No specific wines for the event but for one hour of time you can learn about Chardonnay. Guess what, YouTube Chardonnay and you can learn about that grape variety for free. I would rather attend…
Sunfish Cellars has been bringing in a variety of experts in the wine world for their Zoom events and they suggest the wines for the tastings which are available for purchase. These events have a theme, an expert and specific wines for the event at good prices.
They have some cool events coming up. Check them out: Calendar of Events
My Pick: La Rioja Alta Wines
January 21 at 6:30 pm
With: Rafael Momene, Export Director to the Americas for La Rioja Alta
To participate and purchase the wines for the event go to the: LINK
La Rioja Alta is easily my favorite Bodega in Spain. Their philosophy is to age their wines longer so they are approachable on release. I have been impressed with their wines and quality/price ratio for some time. Here are some of the reviews I have done over the last few years.
- 2007 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (10/11/2018)
Good acidity and the first pour out of bottle had that classic dill quality. One hour later at the tasting the evolution occurred and this offered wood, vanilla, red currants and minerals. Classic Rioja and love this wine on every vintage I have ever had. This might be my favorite Spanish wine for the money. (93 points)
- 2013 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Alberdi Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (11/25/2019)
- Day 1: Wow funk, gravel, spice, raspberries, saddle wood and graphite. This is the best bottle to date and a show stopper. Medium to long finish. One of the top under $20 bottles of the year. 93 points
- Day 2: Some dill emerging, wood, raspberries, funk, earth, stone and blueberries. This is an amazing effort and super long finish. Balance and perfection for the price point. This is just one small step below the quality of the Il Fauno for wines under $30. 93+ points
- Day 3: Strong on the oak and spice. An odd aroma of roundup which blew off quickly, thank god. The fruit is not as prominent on day 3. Certanily not as good showing but still solid. 89 points
- Recommendation: This wine is ready to drink now but you will get 10 years worth if you cellar it. (93 points)
| 2009 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/18/2020) Day 1: Pop and pour and excellent! Perfumed wine featuring wood, mild dill, raspberries, strawberries, minerals and dried herbs. Medium to long finish and nice acidity. This is a winner! 93 points Day 2: Good but not quite the intensity of day 1. Dill, wood, dried herbs, earth and minerals. Medium plus finish. 91 points Day 3: For sure this is a pop and pour wine. I like it but compared to day 1 not nearly as good. Lacks the fruit from day 1. 90 points Recommendation: Normally I find the Ardanza gets even better on day 2 and 3 but not this vintage. I would drink these on the younger side through 2024. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REJa2hUndtQ (93 points) |
I have attend a few and they are amazing. Hoyt does a great job with these.
I actually have not been to any but will start attending. No in person events any time soon so this is better than nothing and sounds very informative.