Here is another strong recommendation for this wine. I remember it being discussed on this forum in the past but was unable to turn up any previous TNs when I searched??? I enjoyed the '99 Solanera and this is every bit as good. It is about 2/3 Monastrell/Mouvedre and 1/3 Cabernet. Had it with your standard "grilled on the deck" porterhouse, baked potato and steamed broccoli. Deep opaque purple color with nose of blackberries, earth and cinammon. Wonderful flavors of dark fruit and spice with sweet tannins on the finish. Available for about $9-12 based on your market. The biggest difference that I see between this and the '99 is that this seems to have bigger fruit and be ready to go sooner. I remember the '99 as outstanding but having the stuff to age a couple years and improve. Looking forward to more of this outstanding QPR!

[ 09-19-2002, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: merris ]

Merris,
Thanks for the tip. I have been looking for the 2000 with no luck yet. I have mentioned the Solanera before, but didn't get too many opinions. I know CabChic liked it. This is probably the best QPR out there. Nothing beats it. I hope you are right about the 2000. Like the "99", I'll buy it all.

Merris, I absolutely loved the 99', I agreed with robert parker's 92 rating on it. The most amazing thing that it is a $8 - $10 wine. well gotta go I have to find the 2000 vintage before Wine-0 gets it all.

Here is a link to a store in NY that has the wine:

http://www.wineaccess.com/store/suburban/ecommerce/product.html?product_id=10193813

Price is a bit high, but I think there is a 10% case discount available.

There is a shop downtown NYC that has them for 13.99. Five cases are availible. NY Wine Exchange 212-422-2222.

FYI, Zachy's has this on sale right now for $9.99/btl

When I used to sell this at retail I was told it was monstrell, which is the Spanish Mourvedre. I'm pretty sure it even say's so on the bottle. Also many NYC retailers still have this on the shelf @ $12-$13.

Merris -- I had this last night and I liked it much better for current drinking than the '99. I think your notes are pretty accurate, I'd just add that it was medium- to full-bodied and had really nice, plush mouth feel. I'll pick up a case this afternoon on the way home.
Also -- I think Freud is right: The mix is primarily monastrell (which I've always been told was the same grape as mouvedre, not tempranillo) plus some cabernet.
In any case -- a great value.

Yes, it is Monastrell...I typed Tempranillo after having had about half of the bottle and it was not in front of me at the time. Sorry about that.

merris-

Can you find this in Northern VA? I'm interested in trying this. Thanks.

jaimetown
I feel certain that you can get this in NOVA. Try going to totalwine.com or wineaccess.com. I think I saw that some of the NOVA Total Wine and More stores have this. Their prices may be on the higher side for it but it still will only be 12-13 dollars per.

Had another bottle of this over the past 2 nights and have to once again issue a strong recommendation for this wine. Outstanding QPR! Anyone else found some and tried it yet?

Another one to try is the Hecula by Castano $9.99 in my store. All of their wines are great QPRs. These are guilt free and will easily last an additional year if you forget about them but they are so tasty now how could you forget.

Found some, bought lots, tried a few....Great stuff for the $$$

tastewine2
I have also had the Hecula and thought it was nice but I think the step up in quality from that to the Solanera is far greater than the difference in price.

I had this tonight with a grilled ribeye steak and garlic mashed potatoes. Good, good stuff. Merris, you were right on with your TN.

Available at Raeder's @ 11.99. Sipping it now.

Dick

This and the 1998 Castell dei Remei Gotim Bru are my two favorite everyday wines right now. Spanish wines have come a long way from fermenting the grapes in goat stomachs.

Why isn't this wine in Michigan yet????

...haven't had any since the "99" and I read in other threads that the "01" vintage is out.

I have heard rumors that the importer is not paying the bills.

Actually, I haven't seen the 01 in the Chicago area yet. I'm plainning on buying half a case each of the Solanera and the Hecula as soon as it hits stores.

The 2001 isn't sold out yet, thank god. It actually isn't really even in the stores yet. Eric Solomon is the importer and I think his website is www.europeancellars.com. The release date from Spain was only in september, so you should start seeing it early november, maybe as late as december.

This Eric Solomon guy really is something. Many of the wines he imports, including the Solanara, are custom blends just for him. He also imports Kirwan, which is always a decent Bordeaux for the price.

Cheers
Tom H