In-store wine tastings have become more popular lately. Most of the time, I check out what’s being poured just to keep walking, uninterested in working through the complete Barefoot or Fetzer lines on my lunch break… But there is a wine store that does things a bit differently. Every Friday, Purdy’s Wine & Liquor in Saratoga Springs sets up a wine tasting that would shock most wine store regulars.
Yesterday, Groth’s 2006 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon was being poured—along with 7 other sensational wines ranging from a Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, to a shockingly original $20 screw top Sonoma Chardonnay that tasted of minerals, popcorn, and mushrooms with a farm-like nose, to the Telmo Rodrigues Tempranillo from Toro, Spain that I am drinking tonight.
Despite the fact that I was once again dumbstruck by Groth’s understated, harmonious flagship Cabernet, I opted for the much less costly Tempranillo from Toro, Spain.
Rich fatty aromas of cherry, smoke and maple sausage held my attention on a short leash between sips that were dominated by blackberry, licorice, cured meat, and a prickly acidity. This is an aromatic and flavor enigma—round and fleshy with berries but wrought with smokey proteins and herbs. I find Dehesa Gago delightfully different, but very approachable—loved for different reasons by a range of palates.
$14. Enjoy!
-Rob
This blog is close to home. The roomie is studying a book about wine as I study the pix from the Chanel show. Fun!
Thanks for sharing the 2006 · Telmo Rodriguez · Dehesa Gago · Toro, Spain wine review. I will have to put this bottle to the test.