WTN: 3 QPR Reds from Bodegas Aragonesas

[geo t.]

We had the opportunity to taste through ten wines from the large Spanish producer, Bodegas Aragonesas in the Campo de Borja Denomination of Origin. Here are notes on the three that show the best quality - price - ratio.

2003 Coto de Hayas Campo de Borja Crianza, 60% Garnacha (from vineyards over 30 years old), 40% Tempranillo (from vineyards over 20 years old), nine months in American oak, $7.99, 13% alc.: Dark garnet in color, with sweet dark plum, blackberry and black cherry aromas accented with a dash of pepper and a whiff of smoke; flavors echo with an earthy base underneath it all, a good dose of tannins, good acidity and just a bit of a bite at first, but that pretty much smoothes out with 45 minutes in the glass. Tannins turn a bit burry on the otherwise nice finish, and this is a wine that should actually improve with a few years in the bottle. Despite the time it saw in American oak casks, it shows no distinguishable "oakiness."

2002 Don Ramon Oak Aged Red Wine, 75% Garnacha, 25% Tempranillo, three months in American oak, $5.99, 12.5% alc.: Ruby dark garnet in color, with an effusive creamy cherry cough drop and aquarium nose; flavors turn more toward deeper, darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium to medium full bodied frame, with moderate tannins and balanced acidity. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity, making for a harmonious glass of red wine, and very good QPR.

2000 Castillo de Fuendejalon Crianza, 75% Garnacha, 25% Tempranillo, six months in American oak, $6.99, 12.5% alc.: With the same varietal percentages as the Don Ramon, this ruby garnet is like nothing so much as a variation on the same theme (one which has carried through a number of the garnacha - based wines in this report), with its rich black cherry character and earthy undertones. It's less expressive on the nose than the previous selection, with a touch more toasty oak, and as it opens, it shows hints of underbrush. Soft tannins and zippy acidity make this food friendly, but there's no reason not to sip it by itself, and it's yet another solid QPR offering.

Imported by Vintage Wine Distributor, Inc., Solon, OH & Columbus, OH

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.

Edited October 13, 2004 by geo t. (log)