Our friends at Signature Selections Wine Company in Auburn Hills, Michigan, took notice of our review of two wines from the Spanish producer Verasol a few weeks ago, and contacted us to inquire as to if we’d like to try some other things imported by José Pastor Selections, which they distribute in this area. We’ve never been known to turn down samples for review, especially from an operation such as Pastor’s, who’s mission (small batch wines made naturally, from sustainable, if not organic, vineyards and minimal use of oak) we very much admire, so we gratefully accepted their kind offer, and here’s what we discovered in those four bottles. Click images to enlarge.

German Gilabert Cava Brut Reserva NV, 11.5% alc., $14.99: This medium colored sparkler is a blend of 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarello and 20% Parellada farmed from organically grown vineyards in sand and limestone soils, with an average vine age of 30-35 years old located in Alto Penedez. Fine active bead, with more than ample mousse, it offers pungent green apple and mineral flavors and aromas; it’s fresh, expressive, bone dry and delightfully so. Medium-to-medium full bodied, with excellent acids and good length, this is a fine Cava, with very good QPR. This is a special project custom made for Jose Pastor, with no dosage. Find this wine

2009 Clos De Noi Negre Samso Vinyes Velles Montsant, 14.5% alc., $17.99-19.99: Deep, dark color; exudes exuberant aromatics of earthy black plum and berry that follow through on the palate with a nice sun-baked intensity. Full bodied and well-structured, with good length; this is ripe, but not overly so, and the earthy quality plays a nice counterpoint. Big, bold and very satisfying, now and over the next five years and beyond. Kim: “How much does this cost? I really like this! I could drink it for a while…” This small production wine (500 cases) is made by Carles Escolar, a rising young star in the Montsant region; it’s lightly oaked, and made from 50-60 year old, 100% Samso (Carignan), from soils typical of the region, composed of chalk, clay, and galets. Find this wine

The Zaumau wines from Vinos de Terrunos are also made by Carles Escolar; both of these are made from local varietals and neither sees any oak, revealing the true terroir of Priorat. The vines are planted in slate soils and average 60-80 yrs of age.

2009 Vinos de Terrunos Zaumau Priorat Blanca, , $20.99-23.99: Pale-to-medium color, and displaying a chalky minerality that dominates the character of the wine, with white tree fruit in support. That said, I quite like this, though I imagine it might turn off some with so-called “international palates.” Bone dry, medium-to-medium full bodied, with excellent acids and good length, this seems like a good match for oysters, mussels and lighter seafood and fowl dishes. A blend of Garnacha Blanca, Macabaeo, Viura and PX. Find this wine

2009 Vinos de Terrunos Zaumau Priorat Tinto, 14% alc., $20.99-23.99: Deep, dark garnet color; sun-baked black currant, blackberry, black cherry, leather, earth and mineral flavors and aromas. Dense, full bodied and well-structured, with acids even more pronounced than tannins, though not excessively so. Intense and delicious, this wants grilled red meat and plenty of it! Kim: “I like these Spanish wines! I really like this importer!” A blend of Garnacha and Samso (Carignan). Find this wine

Reporting from Day-twah,

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