Notes from Cocido lunch at Cafe Ysabel with the usual suspects.
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses Priorat 2002 - Dark, sweet on entry then dry, bitter cocoa. Still a bit of tannin on the finish indicates it could age a bit more. On the other hand, the Bellota ham did a good job of taming the tannins.
Tinto Pesquera Crianza 1999 - Spicy and dry. Rich and soft on the finish. Very good and at peak now.
Alvaro Palacios Petalos Bierzo 2004 - Dark fruits. Leather, tobacco, smoke. A bit tannic but already good enough to drink now. Very good.
Montes Cherub 2006 - OK, not Spanish but an excellent match for the soup from the cocido. Lots of cherry and strawberry fruit but very dry on the remarkably long finish. Very good.
Altozano Tempranillo 2006 - VdT. Very juicy, sweet, fresh tasting. Not a bad quaffer.
Crismona Pedro Ximenez NV - Dates and figs. Raisins. Very sweet but focused. Excellent.