MARTÚE Tinto Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2001 60%Tempranillo + 30% C-S + 10% Syrah 5m in French & American oak 13,5% Alc
This is another promising Ignacio de Miguel project in the heart of Castilla La Mancha, more specifically in Toledo, near Dominio de Valdepusa (Marqués de Griñón) and Dehesa del Carrizal (longtime “home” of Ignacio de Miguel). The white is as uneventful as a chardonnay from inland Southern Spain can be: soft, fruity in a simple way, short-lived, hard to rave about (84).
The RED wine is another Hécula-phenomenon: Deep plummy purplish color, immediately approachable, fruit-driven but pleasantly smoky with earthy and licorice notes, true-to-type, so easy to recognize the grapes involved… Assertive Cabernet and Syrah make a modest but loud statement here, this is not one of those 90%+5%+5% blends where the foreign varieties are merely there to provide exoticism on the label. The spicy, peppery notes of the Syrah are easy to recognize, and the cassis aromas of the Cabernet practically outrule the Tempranillo, regardless of proportions. In the palate it’s a mouthful, with good fleshy backbone, just a very minor hollowness in the midpalate, and savory finish. Except for a slightly vegetal note of green tobacco leaf, there is nothing to detract from this beauty….that sells in Spain for 7,50€ ! My rating 88-89.
Why? 7,50 ain't that cheap! Spain and Italy have more than a few instances of almost 90 pointers slightly above 5€. The problem is that when you start talking about them, especially on the other side of the pond, the next vintage will jump over 10€
Posts: 407 | Location: Italy | Registered: Jan 14, 2002
Anything that relieves the Solanera trekkies should be welcome. This is the new Hécula IMHO. I'm a bottle-buyer, so I don't really mind if I can't collect several cases. Sure there are better wines, some at slightly better prices (Gotim Bru, Casa de la Ermita 3m) but not SO many that some new choice couldn't improve. Besides this is not yet rated by anyone, and I just felt daring this morning...
