A Castillian Red Blend

A Castillian Red Blend

Can you get a decent Spanish red at this price?...

Martinez Bujanda Vineyards

Of course over the years we have done several Spanish reds, as well as the occasional Spanish white. This is our first from Castillia in central Spain. It’s a blend of two major Spanish grapes, Tempranillo and Garnacha, called Grenache in lots of other places such as France. The Martinez Bujanda winery was founded by the present owners’ great grandfather Joaquin Martinez Bujanda in 1889. They have five vineyards for a total of 120 hectares (300 acres) in the Rioja Alavea and Rioja Alta regions of central Spain. This wine carries the Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Indicacion Geografica Protegida appellation, a basic appellation created in 2000. If you are in the Basque Country of northern Spain you might want to visit their wine museum in Oyon. The companion wine comes from a red grape indigenous to northern western Spain at twice the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Candidato Oro Bodegas Martinez Bujanda 2009 13 % alcohol about $8.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Garnet red color; aromas of black cherry, overripe/roasted red fruits, game, chocolate and mint/herb notes; dry, medium-full bodied with sweet dark fruit flavors and oaky notes in the long finish. Serving Suggestion : Lamb, chicken parmegiano, roasted pork or aged cheeses.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered dark cherries and bright acidity with few tannins. Japanese rice crackers darkened the liquid a bit. When paired with a bean-less beef chili the libation was robust and hearty; its fruit expanded. Mashed potatoes rounded the wine and its acidity was quite pleasant. Chinese chili sauce on the meat integrated well into the wine. I was a good boy and so had two desserts. In the presence of fresh strawberries our Spanish friend remained dark. It tasted a bit burnt and did offer some oak. When degusted with Praline-filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate I had the sense of roundness and balance in my glass.

This review of A Castillian Red Blend continues on my website at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_carb.php