Filed under: Concept Cars, Wagon, Japan, Subaru, Tokyo Auto Salon Last month, Subaru unveiled the Levorg concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, previewing what could be the next Legacy wagon. But that’s not the end of the story for the concept car. With the Tokyo Auto Salon – Japan’s equivalent to SEMA – approaching next [...]
01/25/2014
01/24/2014
Value Alert: 2011 Triga
Normally when you taste a wine when it's this cool, the aromatics and flavors are muted. But this wine is so generously aromatic and flavorful it comes through even when the wine is chilly.
The past year, I've very much enjoyed exploring Spanish wines. Historically, it has been a tough category for me to get excited about because I didn't have familiarity with the key producers, regions, brands and style of wines.
But after discovering how much I like Juan Gil after tasting it at The Capital Grille I was interested in exploring more. Then at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour event in Chicago I tasted Alto Moncayo and was really impressed with it. Then a trip to Spain popped up out of nowhere and I got a chance to experience El Nido Clio in the tasting room just steps away from where it's produced.
It was quite a year. Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration and a whole new category of wines catch your attention that you've previously ignored. For example - I can definitely trace my ongoing fascination with wines from California to visits out there over the past 15 years. Visiting a wine region helps so much in building enthusiasm for future exploration and purchases.
I've bought a bunch of other Spanish wines this year and most of them have been related in some way to the wines I've discovered and enjoyed. It just makes sense, right? If you like one grape, one winery, or region or one winemaker - why not try more like them? In trying these wines I've had some hits and some misses but nothing has risen to the El Nido Clio/Alto Moncayo level of excitement and affordability.
Until Triga.
Although the wines I'm referring to come from the old world they're definitely new world in style. If you like Caymus Special Selection I'd urge you try try Clio and Triga. For my palate (and money) they're so similar.
I let the rest of the bottle come up to room temperature over the course of the evening. This stuff is incredibly delicious and it's hard to stop going back for one more sip to see how it's evolved. Here are my notes...
2011 Bodegas Volver Triga
14.5% Alcohol
$34.99 (from Table & Vine)
Absolutely gorgeous. I hear Jorge Ordonez consciously looks for wines to show well immediately upon opening and this wine does that very well. Inviting aromas of rich vibrant dark fruit and milk chocolate jump from the glass and convey elegantly on the palate. The mouthfeel is rich yet silky at the same time. Long finish. So impressive. 14.5% alcohol. 85% Monastrell/15% Cabernet. If the intention is to give Clio a run for its money this wine does that very well.
94/100 WWP: Oustanding
Whereas Clio is 70% Monastrell/30% Cabernet Sauvignon in a collaboration with Gil Family Estates, Triga is 85% Monastrell/15% Cabernet Sauvignon with Bodegas Volver. Gil Family Estates is in Jumilla, Bodegas Volver is in Alicante - less than an hour away and also known for Monastrell.
So to follow the path to Triga is to follow Jorge Ordonez. He reminds me of a successful coach who has proven he can win with multiple teams. Kind of like - who - Phil Jackson maybe? Phil Jackson is no dummy. Sure he had Jordan and Pippen, and Kobe and Shaq. But he had both the savvy to take jobs where he'd be in a position to be successful, and the skill to elevate the talent he was responsible for.
I split up the case with friends (come and get it, guys!) and I'm looking forward to hearing their thoughts. I'm afraid just a bottle or two of Triga isn't going to cut it. Time to reload.
Further Reading:Table & Vine has a nice offer on many of the latest wines in the Jorge Ordonez portfolio
CellarTracker: https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1702415
Wine-Searcher: http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/triga/2011/usa
Question of the Day: Have you tried Triga yet? If so, what did you think? If not, what are you waiting for? ;)
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/7OZu7nLBTcE/value-alert-2011-triga.html
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