Tanzer's Ratings are out

The much awaited and nail biting report from Josh Raynolds has just been relesaed on Tanzer's International Wine Cellar site. We are so excited to have so many of the wines reviewed and rated by the IWC. Here is what he said.

Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines
By Josh Raynolds
Jul/Aug 08

2007 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Vijiriega Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
($9; includes 15% chardonnay) Light yellow-gold. Pungent lemon, grapefruit and peach aromas are complicated by white pepper and baking spices. Light-bodied, gently oak-spicy citrus flavors are a bit dry but clean, with pleasantly bitter grip. Finishes with lime zest and pear skin flavors and an echo of bitter quinine. This is very easy to drink.

88

2006 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Vijiriega Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
($9) Green-gold. Musky yellow plum and peach aromas, enlivened by bright floral and mineral qualities. Supple pit fruit flavors are supported by gentle acidity, which adds brightness. Ripe, peachy fruit dominates the supple, easygoing finish.

87

2006 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Chardonnay Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra($9) Medium gold. Oak-spiced apple and melon on the nose, with a light vanilla toffee quality. Lively orchard fruit flavors are fleshy and ripe, with an exotic note of orange peel. Plenty ripe but also balanced and fresh, with good finishing lift.

87

2007 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Tempranillo Nuevo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
($9; includes 10% garnacha) Saturated red. Lively red and dark berry aromas offer pleasant fresh appeal. Light in body and tangy, with lively redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors and good mineral bite. Finishes clean and brisk, with good clarity and persistence. This is a superb value. I'd serve it lightly chilled.

88

2006 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra($13; includes 5% each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Medium red color. Laid-back cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by cracked pepper and roasted coffee. Midweight, slightly jammy blackberry and cherry flavors offer good palate-coating intensity, with gentle tannins adding grip. This is drinking very nicely right now.

88

2006 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
($16; includes 10% merlot) Medium red. Cherry and red berry preserves on the nose, with a subtle tobacco quality adding complexity. Light-bodied red fruit flavors are gently framed by dusty tannins and become sweeter with air. Clean, brisk and nicely focused, with good finishing lift and lingering sweetness. This is drinking well now.

88

2005 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Noladas Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
($14; a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and tempranillo) Inky ruby. Vanilla-accented kirsch and blackberry on the nose, with complicating cracked pepper and violet qualities. Sweet dark berry flavors veer toward jammy but are firmed by dusty tannins. Finishes with clinging dark fruit flavors and good spicy persistence.

88

2004 Bodega Dominio Buenavista/Veleta Wines Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra($12) Dark red. Earthy red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by tobacco and musky underbrush. Enters with sweet raspberry and cherry but takes a firm turn in the middle, picking up bitter cherry and espresso. Finishes with a subtle meaty quality and good length. Give this some air.

87

Also recommended:
2007 Chardonnay Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa (85)
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra(85)
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
2005 Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra (86).
Other wines tasted:
2006 Tempranillo Nuevo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
2002 Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra
(JNJ International, Dayton, OH)