Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/348953
100 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 Fred Fedail's tasting notes: This wine shows big tannic structure upfront, layered with dark cherry and berry fruit, mingled with chocolate spice and hints of oak. Pairing note: This is a wine for skirt steak and carne asada tacos, though with or without food the wine opened up beautiful in the glass. Diane Pandolfini's tasting notes: Tart red plums and under-ripe blackberries with ripe black currants, cured meats, lavender and desert sage lead to a lingering subtly chalky finish. Pairing note: Surprisingly light-footed on the palate this wine's bright acidity makes it a perfect pairing with the pan con tomate with Manchego and the croquettes di pollo accompanying the tasting. William Templin's tasting notes: Spicy nose and medium bodied on the palate, light tannin structure with earthy undertones. Pairing note: Serve with Manchego cheese and poultry dishes that involve mushrooms. Christoff Elce's tasting notes: Nose and flavor or Angelica Root with caramel and beurre blanc on the middle of the pal - ate. Finish is a soft embrace of pipe tobacco. Pairing note: Pair with Spanish cheeses, dim sum (pork-based), smoked meats like Tasso ham. somms and buyers Wine #5: Bodegas Cepa 21, 2009 ($TK) Wine #6: Bodegas Thesaurus 2010 Flumen Dorium Crianza Daniel Bailey, Wine Director at Mastro's; Matthew Kaner, Wine Director and Co-Owner at Bar Covell; Lucian Fick, Wine Buyer/ Specialist and Certified Sake Adviser at Whole Foods Market; Bob Samaniego, Wine Buyer for Chronicle Wine Cellar. Fick offers an off-premise perspective on Ribera at retail: "I think these wines really appeal to people who really know Spanish wines–these wines are only a little off the beaten path, and educated consumers appreciate that, and are looking to explore newer regions." Jerry Garbus, Wine Director at MB Post. Wine #7: Pago de Los Capellanes 2009 Wine #8: Nexus Bodegas 2006 Nexus Crianza