I'll keep it short and sweet today, given that these are actually numbers 11 and 12 in the Top Ten...which is odd, but always the case with Whole Foods. I think they do it this way so that everyone can find at least ten in their local Whole Foods, but I've always been able to find all twelve, so not sure if that's the case or not.
The two wines for today are the 2008 Santa Julia Bonarda and the 2008 El Coto Special Cuvee Rioja. Both are close peers in my book, not the best on the list, but easy drinkers that are worth checking out. And, I'll only say this one more time - all the bottles on the list this year are under $15, so it's an easy list to experiment with.
2008 Santa Julia Bonarda
Not too aromatic at first, but with some air and rest, comes out with earth, leather, plum, dark cherry and tobacco. A little more tart and spicy in the mouth with blackcurrant and smoke. Nice firm tannins, a little hot, with a decent, but not lingering finish.What Whole Foods has to say: With energy conservation and recycling projects, this winery is dedicated to earth-friendly winemaking in Argentina. Juicy berries and underlying spiciness drive this lively wine, making it a savory match for tomato sauce in pizza and pasta. A few bites of Drunken Goat cheese make the wine jump.
My rating: 87
2008 El Coto Special Cuvee Rioja
This one isn't a far cry from the Bon
arda. More floral on the nose, with cherry, plum and some of the earth and leather, but a bit oakier in the mouth, with a touch of vanilla and spice. This one is a bit off balance to me, with not enough fruit to counteract the oak and almost tastes somewhat diluted. It's not bad, just a few key elements missing for me that throw it out of balance.What Wholes Foods has to say about it: This toasty wine tastes modern, but its long finish comes from Spain's noble Tempranillo grapes. Hearty cherry-vanilla and plum notes make it perfect for roasted meats or try sharp El Trigal Manchego or Mahon cheese to give it the flavorful grip that Rioja's known for.
My rating: 86
What you should do: Buy the Santa Julia and try it out, but if you want to get a Tempranillo, I would go for the Paso a Paso - just more bang for the buck on that one.
NOTE: both of these wines were sent to me as samples.
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