Using Google Eaerth technology, wine importer Frederick Wildman and Sons offers 3-D interactive tours on its website, http://tour.frederickwildman.com, stopping at iconic regions around the world (like Puligny-Montrachet, above). Some include commentary from winemakers like Rioja's Baron de Ley.
#28 Baron de Ley 7 Vinas
"Dense from the start, with ripe berry, plum and a pinch of lemon peel on a studly bouquet. This is a healthy, vibrant, modern wine with lots of life and balance. It's drinkable now and will give toasty black fruit flavors and chocolaty warmth. Or age for up to another five years to gain more subtleties."
-92 Points
#33 El Coto de Rioja Gran Reserva 2001
"Toasty and elegant from the beginning. The nose breathes Christmas spice and mature berry fruits, while the palate deals a persistent structure and acidity for added spine. Tastes a little rooty and savory, with root beer and chocolate notes to the finish."
-92 Points
Baron de Ley-El Coto invests €5m in new white varieties -->
Written by Gemma McKenna Friday, 12 November 2010 Spanish wine group Baron de Ley–El Coto has bought Carbonera–Bergasa’s 500-hectare estate in Rioja and plans to invest €5m in developing new white varieties approved by regional authorities three years ago.
The group says it will be the first in the region to undertake large scale planting of the new varieties.
The Denominacion de Origen authorised that Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Chardonnay plus the indigenous White Tempranillo and Maturana could be used in white Rioja, as long as indigenous Rioja varieties make up the majority of the blend. However, despite great initial interest, very few new plantations were made, with the total so far not even reaching 50ha in the whole DO area.
The Carbonera estate is located in the highlands of Rioja Baja and, at 800m above sea level. It is the highest vineyard in the whole region. The difficult topography of the land means that only 240ha will be planted, with 100ha of these devoted to the new white varietals.
Total investment in this project will amount to €5m and planting is scheduled for the beginning of 2011. The first proper vintage will therefore be 2014, with the wines launched in the market in 2015.
The group’s winemaking team, led by Pedro Aibar and Gonzalo Rodriguez, said: “The new varietals will massively increase our options and quality potential, allowing us to develop distinctive ranges of premium quality white wines.”
Victor Fuentes, international general manageradded: “This project is incredibly exciting, as we will be the first to strike in this new category – and at the very high quality level for which our red wines are already known. It will enlarge dramatically the growth potential for our marques around the world and bring new consumers to the market for Baron de Ley-El Coto.”
Baron de Ley, 2005 Finca Monasterio. You won’t find this wine in a liquor store, but you can find it online for about $45/bottle. The flavor is big in the mouth, and the nose elegant, filling your senses with bold but smooth flavors. It would make a perfect gift for a wine aficionado.
Read the entire article at http://blog.timesunion.com/vinoteca/on-someone-elses-dime/526/
