Gold Medals and 91 point scores for Long Wines
The final scores and points for competitions and tastings held in 2021 are coming in, and we are pleased that several of our wines have been awarded scores of 90+ points by acclaimed wine critic, James Suckling.
Altos de Aranda Crianza 2016, DO Ribera del Duero
Altos de Aranda Crianza 2016 is fast becoming one of our most awarded wines of recent years. The three gold medals it has already won this year have recently been joined by a score of 91 points from James Suckling.
The US wine critic said it showed: «Wild blueberries, spiced cherries, herbs, coconut and toasted bread on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. Savory, flavorful crianza with a firm finish. Drink now or hold.»
This excellent score joins gold medals from Berliner Wein Trophy, Gilbert & Gaillard and America Wine Awards as well as 90 points from Wine & Spirits Magazine.
RAR 2018, DOCa Priorat
Previous vintages of this stunning Priorat wine have been awarded 91 Points by Decanter, so we were thrilled that the new 2018 vintage was also given a score of 91 points by James Suckling.
The renowned wine critic described it as showing: «Blackberries, plums, lemon zest, cloves, tar and licorice on the nose. Medium-bodied with tight-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Wild and spicy. Drink now or hold.»
Made by famed Scala Dei winemaker Ricard Rofes and his wife Magda Pellicer, this is a limited-edition, garage wine from parcels of 30 to 90 year old vines grown on steep rocky terraces of the typical Llicorella soil. The 500m+ altitude gives it the characteristic freshness of the Scala Dei area.
Puerto del Monte Mencía 2019, DO Bierzo
The new 2019 vintage of Puerto del Monte Mencía from the DO Bierzo was given a rating of 90 points by James Suckling.
It was described as displaying, «Aromas of cherries, plums, raspberries, bay leaves and spice box. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and tangy acidity. Juicy and fruity.»
This stunning Mencía from 45 year-old vineyards located at 450-700 metres altitude comes highly recommended.
De Pro Brut NV, DO Cava
The fourth wine to be awarded an excellent rating by James Suckling this year is De Pró Brut NV from DO Cava. He described it as having a:
«Fresh, saline nose of lemon peel, grapefruit, pear, sea shell and salted almonds. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and silky bubbles. Mineral and dry. 50% xarel-lo, 30% macabeo and 20% parellada.»
Chispas Apasionante 2019
Fruity Chispas Apasionante is made by renowned young winemaker Jorge Navascues from 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha in the DO Cariñena won a gold medal from AWC Vienna this year. Inspired by Italian winemaking techniques, this richly fruity wine, with intense strawberry and forest fruit flavours has 8g/l residual sugar, making it very easy and enjoyable to drink.
Melea Organic Red 2020
The organic and vegan certified Melea Tempranillo has won two silver medals recently, in the Berliner Wein Trophy 2021 and AWC Vienna 2021. The dry-farmed, bush trained vines were planted in 1999 and give just 3-4kg of fruit per vine, making for concentrated wines with aromas of black cherries, blueberries and cocoa.
Other medals
Other AWC Vienna silver medals were awarded to El Bos Tinta de Toro 2019 from DO Toro, Pleyades white 2020 and Pleyades Garnacha – Syrah 2020 from DO Campo de Borja.