22 December 2021
Tasting notes from Bodegas Bhilar and a couple of Merdano Izuras from Linus.
Very rusty. Been a while.
2016 Bodegas Bhilar Struggling Vines Pincha Hapa Blanco
Golden colour. Plenty of skin contact. Natural yeasts, but does not have the off-putting funk I dislike with orange wines. It is a powerful nose with hints of sherry and oxidisation. Complex. A lot going on. Pears add a floral note with orange peel. The palate is powerful. Complex. A red wine structure. I really liked this wine. Unlike many other ‘natural’ wines, it was clean and without fault. Thought-provoking.
2016 Bodegas Bhilar Struggling Vines Pincha Hapa Tinto
Bright deep purple. A feminine nose. Elegant. Restrained. Still has weight. Dark cherries dominate. There is a lot going on here. Very complex. There is iodine in the background. Pleasant. Some sweet herbaceous notes in the background. The palate is tightly balanced. Long and seamless. Complex without being overwhelming. Classy wine.
2020 Amador Medrano Tempranillo Blanco
Bright straw. White peaches dominate the nose with pretty floral aromatics in the background. Some pleasant herbaceousness and some lees contact. The palate shows balanced acidic structure. Pears and peaches dominate and a slight creaminess from lees contact. My first Tempranillo Blanco. I am a fan. Very good wine.
2018 Medrano Irazu Rioja
Spain produces great table wine. Some wines make you sit and think. They are often demanding work. A lot going on. This is a drinking wine. Drink it with lunch and before you realise the bottle is empty.
Violet in colour. Dark fruits and flowers dominate the nose. Pretty without being simple. The palate is light. Well structured. Black fruits and a soft finish. Bottle emptied before we finished eating. Great, easy-going drinking.
2018 Amador Medrano Terra
Deep vibrant red. The nose is powerful. Not clumsy. Restrained. Blackberries dominate the nose. Coconut and vanilla. It has seen some new oak. Not out of place. The fruit can carry it. Long elegant tannins. Good structure. More blackberries on the palate. A classy wine.
