April Arrivals from Spain

Incredible values from Spain have arrived! The wines are all showing well and I invite you all to come to Millesime and taste them on Monday, the 25th of April. There are some old favorites but also some new blood too. Here they are:

NINO JESUS - A US exclusive for Millésime with a real cult following. NJ has some of the oldest grenache vines in Spain, with great natural balance and power! I got in on the ground floor with their second vintage (2001) so am able to offer to offer these incredible wines. 2002 was not up to the winery's standards and was sold off in bulk, but those of you who have tasted any of the 2003s know that they are stellar. This time around, we have:

2003 ESTECILLO TINTO JOVEN - A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Tempranillo. It has major extraction and depth, with stunning length of finish. There are a number of good wines now available from Calatayud (many more than last year when I started with Niño Jesús), but I don't think any of them are up to the level of this Estecillo.
2003 ESTECILLO "LEGADO" VINAS VIEJAS - Pure old-vine grenache from high-altitude vineyards, the finest block of vines in all of Calatayud create this utterly breathtaking wine. Those of you know and love the 2001 will be blown away by the 2003. The first of several shipments of this truly memorable wine.
2000 ESTECILLO CRIANZA - 2000 was the first ever bottled by the winery, and apparently they had some left as they shipped it instead of the 2001 that I had ordered. The oak is swallowed by intense fruit and spice.



NAVARRO LOPEZ - A Millesime discovery from Valdepeñas. Those who remember the excellent 1999 will be pleased to see the wine back in stock with a better vintage.

2000 LAGUNA DE LA NAVA CRIANZA - A radical departure from the 1999, more color, intensity and extraction.


PEREZ CARAMES - Millesime gets in on the Bierzo craze.

2002 CASAR DE VALDAIGA TINTO DE MENCIA - This extremely pretty wine shows off the 'pinot' side of the mencia. Very bright and pure, with a box that has to be seen to be believed.


BODEGAS BLEDA - Millesime is again ahead of the curve with this awesome Jumilla winery.

2003 CASTILLO DE JUMILLA MONASTRELL - This is the best entry level mourvedre wine that I have ever seen. The proof that southern Spain is best suited to this 'difficult' varietal.
2003 MONTESINOS SYRAH - Those who remember the 2002 will be very happy with the 2003 - better color, more depth and richness. Simply the best syrah for the price that I've come across. The French can't do one this good for the price.
2002 DIVUS MONASTRELL - The high end wine from Bleda is I think the finest expression of the mourvedre for the price. I have never had a Bandol that I liked better than this wine.


BODEGA VIRGEN BLANCA - This Co-op produces the best "Merlot" that I have ever seen for the price.

2003 MERLOT "LERIN" - There is no merlot from anywhere that is more for the money! The color is a completely opaque black, and the fruit is utterly decadent.


CAVAS HILL - These cavas can easily stand against many available Champagnes at a fraction of the price. They are toasty, doughy, very rich, and bone-dry!

RESERVA ORO BRUT NATURE - This stands up to champagnes more than twice the cost.
2001 RESERVA ATESANIA BRUT NATURE - The vintage version offers up even more 'Bolly' style dough with an incredible creamy texture.