Alas, the weekend has arrived. This week was one heck of a week with Monday starting in full force and each day since has been a strong night of terrific bottles of wines. On Tuesday, we turned to the wines of Spain with a vast lineup of stunning examples throughout the best regions of Spain. Spanish wines offer some of the most incredible values of fine wine with even a simply priced “daily drinker” showcasing magnificent complexities to more serious wines who’s longevity is as deep as any First Growths of Bordeaux and Grand Crus of Burgundy.

2015 Vina Real Rosado Rioja (not pictured) {$12.95/btl}

2013 Paco and Lola Albarino (not pictured) {$19.95/btl}

2011 Nelin Priorat Blanco (not pictured) {$56.95/btl}

2011 Monteabellon Ribera del Duero 14 Meses {$24.95/btl}

2011 Godelia Bierzo Tinto Selection {$39.95/btl}

2008 Cune Vina Real Rioja Gran Reserva RP94 ($39.95/btl)- I could probably drink this all day if I were given the chance. What a spectacular wine for the price! It took it about 2 hours for it to open up and once it did, there was so much going on in the glass! Iron, deep minerality, dried leaves and rich spices lead the palate while wild rose petals and drying red berries jumped around the tongue. Dense layers of spice adds incredible complexity with each sip… think fresh dill, rich clove, fresh cinnamon sticks, warm vanilla and red peppercorn. From those palates that gravitate towards ripe and rich to the palates that prefer the profound and earth, this Rioja CANNOT FAIL!!  This is one of the most versatile wines on the table with one of the best price to quality ratios of all of Spain.

2007 Cune Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva RP93 {$64.95/btl}

2012 Mauro {$54.95/btl}

2010 Mauro VS “Vendimia Seleccionada” {97RP and only $104.95/btl!!}-  Big, bold, highly perfumed and ridiculously complex! This modern 100% Tempranillo from the outskirts of Ribera del Duero is polished, concentrated and glorious. Juicy smashed black berries and dark ripe plums coat the palate with gripping, fleshy sweet tannins. The entire spice cabinet is condensed into each drop of this powerful wine. Even though everything from the flavors, the texture and structure of this wine is in full gear, there is a wonderful balance to this powerful Tempranillo that makes this wine truly outstanding.

2011 Alion Ribera Del Duero ($94.95/btl}

2010 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Ribera del Duero {96RP- $154.95/btl}- WINE OF THE NIGHT- One of the most amazing values in the premium level of Spanish wines- there is nothing “second” about Vega Sicilia’s second label, Valbuena, this wine IS ON FIRE! Pour this beauty at any big red tasting and this powerful Spanish star will steal the show! Beautiful and majestic, This super age-worthy wine was flashy, rich and amazingly well balanced between perfectly ripe fruit, spice, earth, leather and minerals. Another wonderful wine ANY red wine lover would cherish, this is an exceptional wine that should be stocked and stashed away to enjoy its youthful beauty now and to appreciate its full glory decades later. DO NOT PASS on this ridiculously amazing Vega Sicilia. 

2013 Clos Mogador Priorat {$99.95/btl}

2013 Espectacle del Montsant {$139.95/btl}- This is a single vineyard, crazy old vine (120+ years old) Garnacha from an insanely steep vineyard of Montsant. The 2012 vintage scored 99 points by Wine Advocate and the 2013 could surely score along those same lines. Dark, rich wild berry fruit with concentrated layers of deep violets, toasted, rounded spice, leather, mocha, charcoal and wild herbs that all seamlessly coat the mouth as it leads into a very lengthy finish of luxardo cherry, dark chocolate and rich spice. If you are looking for a blockbuster Garnacha, look no further.

Lately it seems like a day has not gone without a smoking bottle of Champagne on the tables and the ’98 Dom Perignon P2 is one of the week’s Champagne Stars! {Thank you Aunt Vickie…} This is showing at a perfect spot right now with a creamy, expansive texture, beautiful toasty flavors and a finish nearly as gorgeous as the wine itself. It has really blown up compared it to its release showing and now the wine has completely rounded out into a stunning Champagne!