Today's Spanish Treats Are Screaming Values

Somewhere along the line, Spain popped up out of nowhere and won our hearts. The love affair probably started the day we first made paella on the Big Green Egg a few weeks ago. Brimming with mussels, clams, chicken and Spanish chorizo, it was absolutely irresistible, with layer upon layer of vivid flavors.

The overwhelming success of the paella on the deck launched an outright Spanish invasion. We started watching a British cooking series called Rick Stein's Spain. Then Spanish cookbooks started arriving at our home in droves. A flurry of sultry Spanish dishes thus emerged from our kitchen, each more delicious than the last. All the flavors have been so new and fresh and exciting, capturing not only our tastebuds but our imaginations which seem bigger than the sky sometimes.

The revelation of sheer deliciousness emerging from Spain caused us to rethink its wine. We've always adored Spanish whites. Crisp Albarinos always lurk in our summer kitchen. Spanish reds not so much. Perhaps because we normally drink wines from Italy and France. Perhaps because Spanish food was never in our kitchen to inspire a creative pairing. Either way, it's time to atone and share some wines we've been enjoying lately.

Not one of our wines today is over $15 before discount and every wine has major press. Today's Spanish treats are screaming values. Really.

Here's a tasty little number which sells for under $10. Robert Parker calls it an "amazing value" and "delicious." We couldn't agree more.

Castano Molino Loco 2011

"This organically farmed vineyard has produced an amazing value, the 2011 Molino Loco. Unusually for a Spanish wine, it is finished with a screw cap, but it is a wonderfully soft, delicious, well-made blend of 80% Monastrell (Mourvedre) and 20% Syrah. A deep plum color is followed by a fruit-filled wine with low tannin and a silky, plump texture. As the old time-honored wine expression goes, 'if it tastes good, it must be good.' This delicious 2011 is priced as wines were when I was in college in the late 1960s." (Robert Parker, Wine Advocate)

Wine Advocate: 87 points

$9.99/bottle or $95.90/12 pack case ($7.99/bottle) or just $7.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

We can't seem to get enough of this next wine. It has even found its way into regular rotation in our home. Hint. Hint. (You should really try this one)

Capcanes Mas Picosa 2011

"Assertive aromas of candied dark berries and spicecake, with a zesty mineral topnote. Juicy, penetrating blackberry and bitter cherry flavors show very good depth and pick up a peppery element with air.  Finishes tangy and long, with resonating spiciness and a hint of candied flowers." (International Wine Cellar) 70% Garnacha and 30% Syrah. Organically grown grapes.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 91 points

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

We negotiated a special deal on this next wine so be prepared for a great price. Robert Parker calls it "stunning" and who's going to argue with him? We made it into Sangria to serve with tapas, but we certainly wouldn't object to a big glass of this beauty at a BBQ.

Espelt Old Vines Garnacha 2010

"A magnificent custom cuvee for Eric Solomon, this 2010 was made from high-elevation vineyards in the Costa Brava planted in granite. It was fashioned by the brilliant Jean-Marc Lafage, whose wines are reviewed elsewhere in this article. Composed of 100% Grenache aged 3 months in new French oak, it reveals copious aromas of raspberry jam, black currants, kirsch, flowers and forest floor, full body, terrific fruit, lots of complexity already, and a multidimensional mouthfeel. Drink this stunning red over the next 4-5 years." (Robert Parker, Wine Advocate)

Wine Advocate: 92 points

$12.99/bottle or $124.70/12 pack case ($10.39/bottle) or just $10.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

This next wine has a story. It nearly didn't make it into our store due to its "festive" packaging. After a bit of back and forth with the importer, we tasted the wine. Game changer. Slam dunk. This is great juice. You might recall a bottle or two of it appears in the paella picture shown earlier. No oak in this beauty. Toss it in the fridge for 20 minutes and let the fun begin.

Azul Y Garanza Fiesta 2011

60% Grenache and 40% Tempranillo. Certified organic vineyard parcels (Murillo and Santa Cara) on extremely arid clay-calcareous based soils. "Assertively perfumed bouquet evokes raspberry, blood orange and peppery spices, with floral nuances. Dry and precise on the palate, offering lively red fruit and floral pastille flavors underscored by a hint of white pepper. Finishes clean and tangy with notes of spice and red fruit preserve." (International Wine Cellar)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 89 points

$10.99/bottle or $105.50/12 pack case ($8.79/bottle) or just $8.79/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Another under-the-radar find from our friends at Valkyrie Selections is up next. Before that, head's up everyone! Andrew Crookes from Valkyrie will be at our store on Saturday, June 29 from 3-6 pm for a wine tasting. The one. The only. Andrew. A wine insider's true wine insider with hipster flair. Seriously. Don't miss this tasting. There's nobody in the industry quite like him. Pure genius. And super fun too.

Lechuza Garnacha 2010

Beautiful scents of violets and blueberry are met by rich flavors of blackberry and wild strawberry. A full throttle wine with big flavors and rich texture. Enjoying this wine is simple: cut the foil, pull the cork and savor it! Great wine doesn't always have to be so complicated. "High-pitched aromas of raspberry and cherry, with a sexy floral note and a hint of white pepper. Juicy, focused and emphatically fruit-driven, offering energetic red berry and spice flavors that show a slight jamminess. This easy-to-drink wine finishes with good cling." (International Wine Cellar)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 88 points

$9.99/bottle or $95.90/12 pack case ($7.99/bottle) or just $7.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

This next wine is for those of you who enjoy a bit of vanilla oakiness in your wine. If we were into that sort of thing we would definitely pick one of these up.

Tomas Cusine Llebre 2009

"The 2009 Llebre is a blend of 28% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Garnacha, 11% Carinena and 10% Syrah. It has a lifted floral bouquet with touches of Chinese five-spice and crushed violets, plus hints of wax resin developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins and comes across far more refined than the aromatics suggest. It is very feminine and lithe with precisely placed dark, minerally fruit on the Rhone-like finish. Excellent. Drink now-2016." (Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate: 90 points

$13.99/bottle or $134.30/12 pack case ($11.19/bottle) or just $11.19/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Paella anyone?

Hasta luego!

* Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certified *

Town Center Wine & Spirits Cape Cod's Most Trusted Wine Merchant

Location 4550 State Highway North Eastham, MA 02651 (Next to the Royal Thai Restaurant in the Town Center Plaza) Tel: 508 255 3660 Fax: 508 255 6736

Early Summer Hours Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Fri-Sat: 9 am to 10 pm Sunday: 12 to 8 p.m.   We're open year round. Closed only on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.