WBW #65: Snow Day Wines - Bodegas El Nido 2003 Clio Jumilla

Clio (2003)
Bodegas El Nido
Monastrell 70% | Cabernet Sauvignon 30%
Jumilla DO, Spain

This month's Wine Blogging Wednesday topic (No. 65) hosted by Michelle Lentz was choosing a wine that you'd enjoy drinking during a full out precipitous attack of the white stuff. Thankfully, since moving to Oregon I've only had to "endure" the snow once, while I know back in Ohio and most of the Midwest in general they got pretty much slammed. Thanks Lake Erie!

That said, I think I had a pretty good idea as to what kind of wine I was in need of - big body, dried fruits, and a warmer level of alcohol. My first choice? Port of course - and I think a lot of people turned there at first. But then something shiny caught my attention. A bottle from El Nido (The Nest) winery in Spain. The pearlescent label was really familiar, and it turns out I sampled another of their wines in my Spanish Wine course last year.

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Spanish Wine Dinner at West Cafe

Tuesday night I headed out with some friends to Portland's West Cafe. There we enjoyed a six course dinner paired with different Spanish wines. Our group had two vegetarians (me included) and one vegan. So we really got the full gamut of offerings at our table. Overall the pairings were very well done, and so I'd like to share the menu with you and some of my comments.

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Quick Sip: 2003 Soléna Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - grapes from the other side of the Columbia

Soléna Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (2003)
Soléna Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Mountain AVA, WA

The final warm weather varietal tasted at Soléna's Carlton tasting room with Lynnette.

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a grape of another name

Iglesia Vieja Reserva (2003)
Bodegas La Purísima
68% Mataró | 21% Cabernet Sauvignon | 11% Tempranillo
Yecla, Spain

Mataró is the predominant grape in this Spanish reserva. Prior to picking up this wine I was unaware of such a grape, but a quick search revealed that it is in fact a grape I know - Mourvèdre, more commonly known in Spain as Monastrell. This grape variety produces full bodied, deep, tannic but peppery wines and is commonly found in the wine regions of Southern France. For a full list of Mourvèdre's many aliases, check here: Mourvèdre Synonyms

The blend of this wine, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo is well balanced. Being a Reserva or Reserve, the wine is required to spend at least three years aging, one of which is to be in oak casks. American oak was used for 12 months, followed by an additional 2 years of bottle aging before release. Unfortunately, because of varying laws between the wine producing regions of the world the term "Reserve" does not always have the same definition when printed on a bottle.

Appearance: Clear, medium intensity showing garnet with a soft ruby tinge. Text is clearly legible through the wine.

Nose: Clean nose with medium intensity, developed aromas of black fruit, spice, and oak. Upper aromas of soft cherry and integrated wood from ageing. Deeper levels of black currant, black cherry, pepper, and licorice. Oak aromas include vanilla and cinnamon.

Palate: Dry wine with bright, cranberry-like acidity and medium tannin. Full bodied with medium plus intense flavors of black cherry, black pepper, walnut, and tobacco. Slight vegetal flavors on the finish with lingering spice.

The Yecla DO is located about 130 km southwest of Valencia, and is part of the larger Levant region in southeastern Spain. While Monastrell is the primary grape variety grown here others may include Airen, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah along with other local varieties.

The Iglesia Vieja (literally "Old Church"), an important landmark found in Yecla's Plaza Mayor, is the namesake of this wine and is depicted on the label.


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This is certainly a bold and beefy red, and probably best paired with a solid meal. I'd also be keen to have some quality sharp cheddar along with this. I really like the combination of grapes in this, and you can pull a lot of key aromas and flavors from each one - pepper from the Mourvèdre, currant from the C.S., and cherry and cranberry from the lighter Tempranillo. I think this wine has a lot going on for it, and will definitely be even better in years to come.

Cheers!