Price: $26.85
Reviewed By: Adrian Bryksa
Available At: 26 Calgary locations including Wine Ink, Highlander Wine and Spirits, J. Webb, VR Wine and Crowfoot Wine and Spirits. 14 Edmonton Locations.
Since our seasons in Alberta are in obvious confusion, we decided that if the weather isn’t going to cooperate that perhaps willing in the warm weather with our choice of wine is the only way to go. That said, we selected the 2011 Botani Moscatel Seco from Spanish wine legend Jorge Ordonez as this week’s wine of the week. It hails from the Spanish DO Sierras De Malagas and is 100% Muscat Alexandria. It is vinified primarily in stainless steel with only 30% seeing oak barrel fermentation. Stylistically, this dry example is a diversion from most Muscats where usually the sugar in the grapes is the dominating factor. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol, lives under a natural cork and was tested cool at 6 degrees Celsius.
Eyes: Pale lemon yellow hue with a nice viscosity in the glass.
Nose: Lightly honeyed, canned mandarin orange and passion fruit. There is also a slightly soapy and medicinal quality that peeks through too. The bouquet evolves in the glass as the wine acclimatizes to the atmosphere.
Mouth: The attack is sweet up front and moves to a roundness on the palate with a rich mouth feel. It finishes almost off dry with just a touch of bitterness on the finish. It carries with long length and nice residual sugar. There isn’t much in terms of acid here which can be an appealing stylistic character and overall, this example is well balanced.
Conclusion: This is an interesting style that will appeal to lovers of aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer, Torrontes, Viognier or the exotic Malvasia. Drink it now on its own or pair it up with sweeter seafood like prawns, crab or perhaps sushi. Not considered a cellar candidate.
90 Points
If you liked this wine, check out our coverage of the Tenuta Marini Candido Fiano
