2003 Rotllan Torra Priorat Reserva
When the shop first opened, the Rotllan Priorat was one of our favorite wines. It was nearly gone by the time we opened the shop and ordered it, and it was such a big hit with customers that we watched carefully for the new imports to arrive. They did, and we grabbed all of the stock possible. Not much of Priorat is available because the region is fairly small: located inland from the coast of upper-eastern Spain, it borders other well known wine growing regions such as Tarragona, Montsant, and Penedes. This is Catalan, and though it is in Spain, Catalan considers itself a self-made state: even the language of Catalan is different. Wines from all of these regions are very distinct and different than much of the rest of Spain's wines, and there are several reasons: one is soil and weather condition, the other is the grapes used. Winemaking in Priorat may go back as far as the 11th century, and there are claims that the winemaking techniques remain largely unchanged. Priorat winemakers use a blend of Grenache and Carignan, and being grown in such remarkable soil leads to the unique and always powerful flavors in these hearty reds: flecks of quartz and black slate absorb sunlight and radiate the heat of the long days of sun into the soil at night. Therefore, the vines are working "overtime" in a dry but mineral rich soil; the result, fascinating and often very concentrated flavors. Having said this, the 2003 Rotllan Reserva is a fairly restrained version of Priorat red, showing beauty and depth as its main features. Wonderful aromas of fig and plum mix with floral notes, leading to a solid body of plum, blackberry, and hints of fig and coffee on the finish. Good acidity and tannins allow for aging and the structure to handle a great variety of foods.
Pairing Suggestions: Excellent with meats that have distinct flavors such as wild game, grilled sausage, and lamb. Also superb with Catalan style stews which are famous for including just about everything, including beans, potatoes, onions, parsley, egg, beef, chicken, pork, and more.

2008 Belezos Rioja Tinto
A red wine from the Rioja is not all that unique, but a Rioja red without any oak? Now that is rare. To taste the difference try this wine: the flavor profile of the Tempranillo grape is actually quite intense and high toned, and it is the oak used in the aging process that mellows out and deepens much of the flavors you may now of traditional Rioja tintos. In the Belezos, the flavor profile is upbeat and lively: bright cherry notes and framed by juicy acidity, producing an incredibly refreshing flavor and texture.
Pairing suggestions: This wine could stand up very well to spicier foods, such as Paella, or pair very nicely with other Spanish influenced dishes such as saffron-seasoned rice, tortilla Espanola, and the like.