I know, you should be taking advice on Spanish wines from Jim Greeley and not me. But, as it turns out, he and I both have a fondness for Godello and the Grenache is pretty nice too. We have just gotten to the stores two new wines from Spain, both worthy of your time.

The Godello (that is the grape) is Atalaya do Mar and is $12.99. This wine easily gives many Chardonnays at twice the price something to aim for. The wine offers a minerality/slate aroma with spice, melon and moderate acidity. A real steal for the price, the wine is a natural served beside sardines/anchovies and maybe a bowl of warm olives. This is exactly what Jim and I look forward to eating every time I am in Naples, at his (and my) favorite tapas restaurant…IM Tapas. Robert Parker liked it too, enough to give it 91 points! It won’t be around long.

 The red is a power-packed old vines Garnacha from Las Pizarras del Jalon. Intense fruit, made from 70-100 year old vines, is obvious, along with Asian spice, mineral and black cherry notes. Awesome balance and concentration (and no oak) for a wine at $14.99…again, there are many wines at twice this price that under-deliver….this one does not.

I would love to open this with top quality Jamon and maybe some blood sausage. Parker again gave this one 91 points.

Cheers!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne