In 2011, the Wine Enthusiast team tasted and reviewed more than 16,000 wines – many of which were exports from one of the world’s great wine-producing countries, Spain. With over 3 million acres of grapevines, Spanish wine is complex and diverse – thanks to more than 50 denominated regions including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Navarra, Priorat, Rías Baixas and others.
This list of the Top 100 Spanish wines was created in the same way our recent Top 100 Best Buys (wines for $15 or less), Top 100 Cellar Selections (cellar-worthy and highly rated collectibles) and The Enthusiast 100 (weekend wines, restaurant purchases and special occasion wines) lists were created.
Leira 2009 Albariño (Rías Baixas)
- Best Buy
- $15
An elegant and well-made Albariño with lemon chiffon, pear and green apple aromas. The palate is just right in feel, depth and minerality, with apple, pear, honeydew and hidden spice flavors. Clean, teetering on lush and delicious as it finishes. Drink this pretty wine as soon as possible.
— M.S.
(4/1/2011)
Huguet 2006 Gran Reserva Brut Nature Sparkling (Cava)
- $28
Lemon, lime and minerally aromas are clean as a whistle. The palate is zesty, tight, moderately complex in feel and pulsing with green apple and citrus flavors. Finishes clean, with orange notes. A piercing wine that’s perfect for shellfish.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Finca Millara 2007 Mencía (Ribeira Sacra)
- $43
Floral and classy, with field herbs and pretty berry aromas. Fresh, juicy and forward in the mouth, with black fruit flavors led by dark plum. Finishes with complexity, tobacco and vanilla flavors. A stout, competent Mencía from a region worth paying attention to.
— M.S.
(10/1/2011)
Finca El Quiñón 2008 Chafandin Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
- $65
Coconut, smoke and sweet aromas of cola, berry jam and fine tobacco make the bouquet inviting. In the mouth, it maintains freshness due to good acidity, while the flavors of earthy blackberry and plum come across dense and right. Firm and tannic on the finish; drink from 2012–2016.
— M.S.
(10/1/2011)
Elias Mora 2007 Crianza Tinta de Toro (Toro)
- $38
Full, ripe and dark like a good Toro wine should be. The nose is rock solid and appealing, while the palate is lush but with a streak of bracing acidity. Tastes bold and bright, with blackberry, black cherry and chocolate flavors. Modern and lusty, with cola, toast and depth.
— M.S.
(10/1/2011)
El Molet 2009 Red (Valencia)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $15
Sweet blackberry aromas come with floral edgings, and the whole is impressive. Full-bodied and balanced, with healthy, ripe black cherry and dark plum flavors. Finishes spicy, with a note of bitter espresso. 90% Tempranillo with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the best wines from Valencia.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
DSG Vineyards 2007 Phincas Red (Rioja)
- Online Exclusive
- $38
Full, dark and dense, with blackberry, molasses and bacon on the nose. At first it seems modern and new-wave, but the palate isn’t fat and overextracted; instead it’s zesty, vibrant and deals pugnacious blackberry flavors topped with spice and chocolate. A lively, forward but manageable wine to drink now through 2014. Only 416 cases made.
— M.S.
(7/1/2011)
Darien 2003 Seleccion Red (Rioja)
- Online Exclusive
- $40
Leafy, rooty aromas fold in earthy berry scents and chocolate. Mature on the palate, with baked plum, sweet spice and tobacco flavors. Ripe, long and friendly on the finish, with more than adequate structure and tightness. Contains one-third Mazuelo in addition to Tempranillo, which is a lot by Rioja standards. Drink now.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Convento San Francisco 2004 Special Selection Red (Ribera del Duero)
- $90
Starts out crusty and dark, with earth, leather and other savory aromas. The palate is clacky and tannic, with roasted berry, leather and slightly burnt and bitter oak accents. Finishes peppery, with drying hardness and a pinch of leafy herbalness.
— M.S.
(10/1/2011)
Condes de Albarei 2010 Albariño (Rías Baixas)
- Best Buy
- $15
Apple and melon aromas are pure and minerally. The palate is round and offers good density and acidic balance along with tasty, better-than-normal melon, papaya and apple flavors. Creamy but balanced on the finish; meets or beats any reasonable expectation for fine Albariño.
— M.S.
(11/1/2011)
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2010 Stonegate
Good price for a Napa Chardonnay this rich and balanced. It’s enormously…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity