This was one of those modern-day-miracle finds:  a dusty, dirty bottle in a corner, hiding behind a case of cleanly stacked Syrah.  Last bottle.  iPhone check-out revealed a 9-oh from the Wine Advocate, with some waffling about pain grille and pencil lead (I’m serious.  that’s “pain” as in “french bread.”  never mind that this is a spanish wine).  For the less poetic souls, just think BIG tannins.  I didn’t enjoy it until it had taken about 30 minutes of fresh air.  Even then, prepare yourself for a tongue-scraping experience.  That aside, the wine has an alluring complexity.  Roll it around on your palate and you will probably find a nuance of any “red fruit” you desire.  For example… pomegranate (see label).  Enjoyable!  If I come across another bottle, I’m going to stuff it in my cellar for 5+ years, and see if it softens up.  First I better get a cellar… The blend is 40% Merlot/40% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Tempranillo.  Sort of a Basque Bordeaux.

paid: $18

scored: 89ish

After tasting Murietta’s Chardonnay at the Wine Room in Palo Bajo, I had high hopes for this bottle.  True to the style of California, the quantity of Petite Verdot and Cab Franc in the blend exceeded the typical Bordeaux ratios.  That is not necessarily a bad thing… but unfortunately in this wine the nose far exceeded the finish.  It is a nice mouthful, though, complex and entertaining.  But does the finish belie the true quality of this wine?  In the end I felt I had overpaid by 50%.

paid: $32

scored: 86

reminder:  (to myself and others) the score reflects enjoyment/price!  Without the price in the denominator, closer to 90…

What a find.  Last bottle in the place, and with a big screaming rip on it that screams mis-treatment.  Took the chance.  Feeling very vindicated (accentuate all 8 syllables in pronouncing that!).  It strikes me that this is what the Lamole di Lamole is striving for.  On the off chance anyone is reading this, be warned I groove on the dryness that Italian wines achieve.  I’ve never found a wine like this here in CA.  It occurs to me that I probably couldn’t tell this wine from a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.  There is only one remedy… but I need some like-minded friends so I can afford it (it being 3-4 bottles of quality Tuscan juice).

paid: $17

scored: 90