Okay, so I went to this trade tasting/class sponsored by Mitchell Wine Group recently.  The speaker was Tom Kelly, co-owner of Small Vineyards, the newest member of the Mitchell portfolio.  Oh my goodness, it was delicious!  Not to mention informative.  Small Vineyards has, until recently, imported only small production Italian wines - from family owned, sustainable, hand harvested wineries.  Typically, these producers get between ½ to 1-½ bottles of wine per plant!  Imagine the concentration of flavors and aromas - when you only get such a small amount of juice per acre.  This is in stark contrast to the typical New World wine production of 3-5 bottles per plant. 

This particular tasting/class featured Small Vineyards' Spanish portfolio.  I learned so much about the wines from Spain - and now want to add this destination to my European wine tour, whenever that takes place!  Here are the highlights of my tasting:

NV Giro Ribot Brut Reserva Cava Penedes:  Delicate bubbles, deep minerality, and intoxicating white flower aromas make this sparkling wine memorable and delightful.  An extremely well-priced Cava (Spain's version of Champagne).  If you're into bubbly, this is a must-have.  $14.35/bottle

2009 Finca El Tesso Tempranillo:  Unoaked, fruit forward, balanced Tempranillo.  Excellent with hearty winter stews or cassoulets.  $9.50/bottle

2009 San Isidro (Tail of the Fox) Cepas del Zorro (100% Monastrell/Mourvedre):  You can definitely tell this wine comes from the coastal areas of Southern Spain.  Aromas of plum preserves, soy, and sage blossom.  This is a powerfully authentic wine that wears its personality with panache.  Perfect with small, pungent olives, Manchego cheese, and grilled pork.  Aged two years in the bottle before release.  $10.00/bottle

And finally, my personal favorite: 2007 Parmi L'Infant (80% Grenache, 20% Carignan):  Fermented in oak but not aged in oak.  Result is a touch of rotundity to balance the natural, searing focus achieved in a wine from the Eastern side of Spain.  Totally dry farmed, these 90-year old vines go down 100 feet or more, searching for the natural water table.  Rich, flavorful, and omplex come to mind when describing this wine.  One of the few reasonably priced wines out of Spain's most expensive appellations.  This is a very special wine for $29.00/bottle--well worth it!

I cannot recommend wines from this importer with any more enthusiasm!  Tom is a very interesting and passionate wine aficionado who clearly loves what he does.  Later I'll feature some of his Italian wines but for now, try a few bottles of these great Spanish wines.  Call or e-mail me today - I'll have it to you by next week.  The first two customers who order a minimum of 6 bottles will receive as a "thank you" gift - an annual subscription to Portland Monthly.  Now that's a good deal so don't delay. 

 Thank you so much!

Chris