It was great to meet Victor Del Villar Olano who's family owns the Spanish Navarra CASTILLO DE MONJARDIN ( 31242 VillMyor De Monjardin, Navarra , Spain, Tel: +34 948 53 74 12 www.monjardin.es ) as he came here to taste his family's " new " releases.
I discovered from talking to Victor yesterday that his mother designs the labels and is in charge of marketing while his father makes the wines. He asked me immediately whether I liked the labels or not as he put them out on our round table. I told him swiftly that I liked the original label the best that the dry, unoaked Chardonnay came in. And that's when the conversation started to flow freely, immediately and I recollected and related all in one to Victor and David ( our Winebow Italian rep ) how we had started here doing business back in 2000 or 2001 with the MONJARDIN ( means in French " my garden " ) wines. I told him the Aurelio Cabestrero ( now owner / president 0f Grapes Of Spain importing ) who worked with Rory Gallagher of Ingram Imports had brought both the dry Chardonnay ( I think there was both an oaked and an unoaked version ) as well as the Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon dry red blend. We bought both immediately, one red and one white and put them on our shelves back then, seven-eight years ago.
I fell in love with the Tintico Tempranillo 2006 that we may sell as low as $7.49 or $8.99 depending on how much we buy. I loved it so I think we will have it shortly and sell it for the lower price. I loved it because it was drinkable, balanced, charming and great with or without food.
The El Cerezo 2007 unoaked Chardonnay at $13.49 or $11.99 was also a pure joy to drink because it's freshness, brightness and great acids and citrus overtones. I really, really enjoyed it : just not as much in this cold weather as the excellent Tintico 2006 red Tempranillo.
Victor also tasted me on the other two reds : the 2005 Crianza ( Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot red blend ) that had more heft, more weight, more bite and kick - more layers of flavor that are best dealt with when balanced with food.
The 2004 Deyo is MONJARDIN'S Merlot at $21.99 or $19.99 and more stylish, more elegant, more refined and silky than the Crianza 2005. I liked both these two fancier reds and we have scheduled a tasting with David our Winebow rep on Friday, April 24th, 2009 ( 5-8 PM ) so you may all come by and taste all four then.
Until then we will at least bring the Tintico 2006 Tempranillo red for you all to enjoy and fall in love with - love at first taste - you will, trust me. Cheers, TONY
1 comment:
It is always a pleasure to meet people who already knows my wine so far from home like in DC, it is a beautiful city that I am already missing!
Also, I must say that I am very happy with Tony and his ideas for my wines are excellent. I am telling my parents about them so we can always improve.
I am glad that Monjardin is so well represented at Tony's and I wish everybody to have a good time and enjoy Monjardin wines.
The warmest regards from the North of Spain.
Thank you,
Victor Del Villar
CASTILLO DE MONJARDIN
www.monjardin.es
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