 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
- Silverstone's previous recommendations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Faustino Gran Reserva 1994 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Best of the Red Bunch |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I used to work with a bloke from Spain. Nothing odd about that. Not really worthy of the Guinness Book of World Records. Hardly find a category in there for: Man Who Once Worked With Spaniard. But this guy was interesting. He was very quiet, maybe even a bit broody. Very respectful, well mannered, totally out of place with the rest of my chums who were rather uncouth. But when he was fired up, he could pack one heck of a punch and almost became thrice his size. What's this got to do with wine? Good question. He came to mind when I tasted Faustino's Gran Reserva 1994. It begins like my Spanish friend, reserved, a little soft, unassuming. But as you get to know the wine, it becomes bigger, bolder and assertive and boy can it pack a punch! In the 1950s Julio |
Faustino Martinez launched the Faustino label, which is today Rioja's largest exporter of Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, accounting for more than 25% of all Rioja wine exports in both categories. The vineyards are located in the upper Rioja Alavesa . Rioja is in north east Spain and is divided into 3 zones: Rioja Alta; Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa (which is above the River Ebro in the Basque Province of Alava). A bit of geography never hurt anyone. The climate is very cool, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and this manifests itself in the fruity, fresh flavors of the wine. To be a "Gran Reserva" the wine must spend at least 2 years maturing in oak barrels. The 3 |
Musketeers of Grapes from the region were blended for this wine: 90% Tempranillo; 10% Mazuelo and Graciano. Tempranillo is Spain's answer to Cabernet (temprano means early - since it ripens early!) Mazuelo has low yields but rich color & perfume, and Graciano has tiny yields, but is fragrant with a plummy, spicy flavor and excellent aging potential. Thus a wine with almost a decade under it's belt. It was aged three years in oak casks and was refined in bottle for four years prior to its release, resulting in a matured, softer, smoother, silkier drink. This wine has aged with incredible grace. More than can be said for my old friend from Spain. Ca la vie! Cheers! |
PRICE $21.29 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
- Silverstone's previous recommendations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|