Eye: Luminous, straw yellow with a reflective golden seam
Nose: Youthful with medium intensity, bright citrus grassy notes, certainly lemongrass. Little apple.
Palate: Dry with instantly fresh appeal. The acidity of this Albarino is cleansing, captivating yet easy going. In a ripe citrus lemon sorbet style, it’s well rounded, youthful structure has a sea salt minerality providing a tasty back bone to its medium+ body. And then you see there’s that freshness again, persisting. This is a very tasty 2014 Spanish white that goes well beyond where many other European 2014 whites dared to dream. It was afterall a generally a difficult vintage. Not having any detailed info on how well 2014 was in Rias Baixas, one nevertheless imagines that their proximity to the Atlantic coast means they’re pretty much used to dealing with wet and changeable conditions.

Either way, based on our tasting of La Marimorena, one fact is clear. The Wine Gurus are producing an Albarino that is definitely a must have.

Eye: Ruby red of medium to light intensity that runs to the rim. It’s still young yet.
Nose: Aromas are of both medium intensity and complexity. A little light plum on initial opening, it then throws up hints of strawberry & cherry. Yet it’s a delicate toasty, aromatic wood, with very subtle vanilla twist, that comes to the fore and sits above the rest. But not overly so.
Palate: Dry, tending from medium to full bodied, while the tannins are soft and supple, the acidity falls short onto the low side. Delicate, ripe cherry and spice sit together with subtle toasted wood and tobacco. This low acidic profile is often associated with Tempranillo varietals. With this particular vintage, even if The Invisible Man 2013 doesn’t look set to make it for the long haul, there’s no shame in that. This wine is soft and easily approachable. In shortcode … Drink Now.

On further reflection, what counts most for us is that The Invisible Man 2013 has provided us with a new interesting reference point for a 100% Tempranillo varietal. Why? Well, in Rioja, Tempranillo is the ‘go-to’ grape in what are all principally blended wines. By its nature, it’s a grape whose characteristics can often be rendered ‘Invisible’ by the presence of even small parts of regular blending partners like Mazuelo or Garnacha. Purely speculation on our part, but might this potential ‘invisibility’ be the reason why CASA ROJO chose ‘The Invisible Man’ title? If so, it’s a nice fit. Whatever the reason, by making their 2013 with 100% Tempranillo, they are putting this ancient grape ‘solo’ centre stage and providing us with the absolute means of comparing the wines approachability, drinkability and age-ability with the more traditional blended Rioja style. Brave move guys and one that we believe will pay off long term. Hat’s off to The Wine Gurus and The Invisible Man! We’re already looking forward to tasting the 2014 when released.

Eye: Intense rich ruby core that runs to the rim where you’ll pick up just the lightest of violet reflections. Showing good legs you could say we’re talking youthful exuberance.
Nose: Intense with medium complexity, soft dark berried fruit conserves including blackcurrant, light aromatic wood and is that a touch of woodland pot pourri.
Palate: Dry, med+ to full body, well structured with medium acidity, soft velvety tannins and a decent mineral hit, MACHO MAN MONASTRELL has a really nice balance for a youngster. Its concentrated fruit action offers an enjoyable slightly bitter twist at the end together with spice and some retro vapour, balsamic action too. MMM is a very memorable first step into the realm of MONASTRELL and it’s native home region of Jumilla. Confident style and real substance, MACHO MAN MONASTRELL is a progressive, go get em’ wine that most definitely kicks open the door to this region and this rockin’ grape. Watch this space.