It’s time for my monthly confession. Yes, confession is good for the soul. My top picks this month are both red wines. I know there may be a special warm place for me in the life hereafter for passing over a truly fine white Burgundy that I must confess I really liked, but in the month of February I believe I can be forgiven without having to suffer a colossal penance. Why? It’s cold in February and this month’s Collector Series reds can take the chill out of cold winter nights.
Furthermore, Valenciso makes great Rioja Reserva (their one and only wine) and the 2005 Valenciso Reserva is quite extraordinary. It is a flawlessly balanced Rioja that is delicious now but will continue to improve in bottle for a decade or more. My other top pick is Alejandro Fernandez’s 2005 El Vinculo. Alejandro Fernandez is Spain’s King of Tempranillo and El Vinculo is La Mancha’s greatest old vine Tempranillo. It’s a knockout. For my penance, I will enjoy Jacques Girardin’s 2009 Les Terrasses de Bievaux Santenay in between drinking this month’s reds.
A Votre Santé!
Don
