It's always a great treat to have new and rising wine talent visit our store but when he comes with his father that has already made his indelible mark on the fabric of Spanish
wine-making for the past forty years or more then it's even more exciting ! Just try and imagine that. Combine this with the fact that Spanish importer Aurelio Cabestrero ( president of Grapes Of Spain Imports ) brings them to the store with open bottles of their " new " family releases then you begin to get some of the giddy excitement that washed over me on this special visit of theirs - quite serendipitously, too I believe. I don't think I had much warning if any.
On November 19th, 2005 we had Alberto Garcia bring his famous father Mariano Garcia to our store. With Aurelio Cabestrero they had open bottles of the PRIMA 2004, the SAN ROMAN 2002, the ASTRALES 2002 and the PAIXAR 2002. I tried them all. Unfortunately Mike Martin that I work with here at the Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits was not here to taste with me.
I liked everything that I tasted and bought some of everything but more of the PRIMA 2004 and the ASTRALES 2002 ( my favorite red 2002 considering the price). I would later talk with David the sommelier at the Taberna a month later on my birthday at his restaurant ( December 27th, 2005 ) and he agreed with me that it was one of the finest, if not finest 2002's that he had tried. I still have a wee bit left of each the 2002 ASTRALES and the SAN ROMAN both around $55 a bottle. They should be drinking fabulously just about now. I'd love to try one soon myself to check this out because the proof is in the tasting!
It is agreed by many that with Mariano Garcia there is no other more talented winemaker for making wines in the Toro and the Ribera del Duero. Mariano Garcia understands perhaps better than anyone else the terroir and the necessary techniques to make world-class wines in these two areas.
For technical information about their wines go to : Bodegas MAURO S.A. Cervantes 12 47320 Tuledo de Duero ( Valladolid ) Espana Tel: +34 983 521 972 / +34 983 521 439 Fax : +34 983 521 973 www.bodegasmauro.com info@bodegasmauro.com ... as well as BODEGAS Y Vinedos MAURODOS S.A. Carretera Nacional 122 KM. 412 Villaester 47112 Pedrosa del Rey ( Valladolid ) Espana Tel : +34 983 784 118 Fax : +34 983 784 018 ).
Here are some of the pictures that swept me away. The father did not speak much English and so the son had to translate for me. That was quite alright. They were both through-and-through gentleman and it was a rare and very meaningful meeting for me.
I am sure that I will add to this blog but I'd like to share what I already have and get these pictures out now. It's Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at midnight ( 12:08 AM ) here at home as I type and proof my work before posting shortly.
It's been just three years since they stopped by that memorable afternoon to our store. They wrote some kind words in Spanish which I have to get translated so that I can copy it here later. I'm also looking forward to our next tasting/ meeting. It's already been much too long!
Gracias & hasta luego Mariano & Alberto! TONY
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