While at a
Cream Wine Co. tasting, I had the chance to retaste one of my favorite wines, the 2005 vintage Merlot by
Bodegas Viña Magaña. The vineyards and winery are family owned, run by the father-son duo of Juan and Diego Magaña. It is located in
Navarra,
Spain, just south of
Pamplona. For this particular wine, they took merlot vine cuttings from
Château Pétrus, in Pomerol, and planted them on the estate in gravel and limestone soil. The wine was aged in new French barrels for 18 months, and in the bottle for another six months before release. The wine is bright ruby red with smells of both mineral and floral components, accompanied by rich exotic spice. It is full bodied on the mouth with rich, plump, dark fruits, tar, and oak spice nuances, lasting on and on to full length finish. I believe this wine has great aging potential, with its crisp acidity and fine tannins. It should retail at the stores for about $40-50. (WG 95pts.)
