In its latest February issue, the prestigious US journal, The Wine Spectator, carries a report on Spanish wines from 2001 as part of its leading article entitled Editors´ Picks which gives the 250 best wines from all over the world. Thomas Matthews, the publication’s editor-in-chief, stresses the amazing uniformity of the 2001 vintage, which was characterized in northern and central Spain by a hot summer allowing the grapes to be harvested in perfect conditions.

Matthews emphasizes the excellent quality of the red wines especially, in most of the Spanish wine-growing areas. He underlines their balance and structure, their rich varietals and terroir expression. He also states that the exceptional harvest was enhanced by the renovation carried out over the last decade by producers, who have improved their vineyards and modernized their plants. The result, he states, are cleaner, richer wines.

He concludes by mentioning the rapid progress made in Spain’s wine sector “which will continue to impress in the future”. The 2001 wines he recommends are:

91 Alidis 2001 Tinto Crianza (Viña Mambrilla, DO Ribera del Duero)

90 Costers del Gravet 2001 Barrica Tinto (Celler de Capçanes, DO Montsant)

90 Casa de la Ermita Petit Verdot 2001 Barrica Tinto (Bodegas y Viñedos Casa de la Ermita, DO Jumilla)

90 Cosme Palacio y Hermanos 2001 Tinto Crianza (Bodegas Palacio, DO Ca Rioja)

88 Fuentespina 2001 Tinto Crianza (Fuentespina, DO Ribera del Duero)

88 Les Terrasses 2001 Tinto Crianza (Álvaro Palacios, DO Ca Priorat)

87 Pinord Clos de Torribas Tinto Crianza 2001 (Bodegas Pinord, DO Penedès)

Our Newsletter

• May 2004

• June 2004

• August 2004

• October 2004