Finca Los Aljibes – Aljibes 2005

Tierra de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
$19-23 available at private liquor stores
www.fincalosaljibes.com

You may have noticed a few new wines in the Spanish section of your favourite independent liquor store these past few weeks. Sixteen value-driven wines from the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha arrived on our shelves in mid-November – a fantastic development for value vulture wine sleuths like myself. All of these new wines are priced under $20ish, and are fantastic value for the price.

Los Aljibes is massive family project, deeply rooted in sustainability and environmentally protective measures. Located in the area of Chinchilla de Montearagón, the entire estate has a total of 900 hectares available for cultivation: 200 hectares of scrubland for varied animal and vegetable ecosystems, 178 hectares of vineyards, 50 hectacres of olives, with the remaining area dedicated to grains.

The blend of Aljibes 05 would seem more at home in France’s Bordeaux – old vine Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Here they have spent 9 months in American and French oak barrels, plus 3 months in large 10hl French oak vats. An intense bouquet of dark currants and spice leads to full bodied flavours of black fruit, smooth vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, saddle and spice. Pure balance, firm structure and ripe tannins preview that this wine, though drinking well now, will hold and evolve over the next 5-7 years or so. If you can’t wait that long, drink now with osso bucco or grilled flank steak.

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Finca Los Aljibes – Aljibes 2005

Old vine Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon meld into an intense bouquet of dark currants and spice, and a palate of full bodied black fruit, smooth vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, saddle and pepper. Pure balance, firm structure and ripe tannins preview that this wine, though drinking well now, will hold and evolve over the next 5-7 years or so. If you can’t wait that long, drink now with osso bucco or grilled flank steak.