The other day Gabriella and I had the chance to attend a wine tasting at [Reserva y Cata->http://www.reservaycata.com] for a relatively new vineyard. Bodegas Los Aljibes is located in LaMancha and is trying to experiment with a large variety of varietals to see what else can happen in this unique and large DO. Not much to say other than that Gabriella was a bit late so only got notes on 3 wines. In the coming month we both hope to make it down to [Bodega Los Aljibes->http://www.fincalosaljibes.com/] to see the facility and get to know the owners some. All of these wines will be heading to the American Market, and I believe they are already in the UK.

Till soon, Ryan and Gabriella

• 2004 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Rosado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla
  60% Syrah 40% Granacha
  Red with light orange hints, very clear. Nose of cinnamon, clove, rich cherry(almost like twizzlers). In the mouth it is dry with medium acid, faint tannin. Very crisp yet with a nice lingering finish. Flavors of cherry(candy like), with light herbal notes. I was a tasting where a group of lady’s was overheard to say “dangerous”, as it went down so easily, I would have to agree. Nice body and color though I think I would classify this more as a light red than a “rosado”.
  

-Ryan

• 2004 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Rosado – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla (11/26/2005)
  Clear light crimson color fading to a translucent white near the edge. Strong cherry aroma with hints of flowers, possibly roses or violets. The flavor took me a bit by surprise. Overwhelming cranberry flavor usurping the strong cherry aroma with a slight spice or peppery flavor near the end. Medium acidity and quick finish. Extremely smooth and palatable.

-Gabriella

• 2004 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Nordal – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla
  50% Granacha, 25% Syrah, 25% Tempranillo
  Deep red w/purple core, though light in concentration. Deep raspberry nose with light vanilla, cherry, and some faint herbal notes. In the mouth it shows big body with strong acids and firm tannins. Fruit is hidden with the, in my opinion, overly extracted tannins covering up everything. Oak isn’t really a factor, with some nice cherry hiding in there somewhere. Basically a tough wine to drink without the fruit to support the structure.
  

-Ryan

• 2004 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Nordal – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla (11/26/2005)
  Deep beautiful purple center fading to an intense brilliant ruby red. On the nose, I picked up cherries and a strange barnyard quality that I cannot put my finger on. A bit of cinnamon and vanilla lingers near the end. The flavor completely contrasted the smell to me. It was bland, boring, tight and lacked any drama. I wasn’t impressed. The flavors where impossible for me to pick out because I felt like I was drinking flavored water.

-Gabriella

• 2003 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Viña Aljibes Tinto – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla
  40% Cabernet Suavignon, 22% Syrah, 22% Tempranillo, 13% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
  6 months in French and American Oak
  Deep rich, reddish purple color. Currants, light smoke, mint, anise and some green pepper. Big in the mouth with a strong acidity at first, and tannins that are firm but fine. In the mouth flavors of black currant, sour cherry, oak, vanilla, and what I assume more. This wine was opened and poured and I think it could use a little more air to really show itself. Once again overly extracted though this time it seems there might be enough fruit.
  

-Ryan

• 2003 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla Viña Aljibes Tinto – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla (11/26/2005)
  Dark thick purple core with a deep bloody cloudy rim. Really a beautiful and interesting color. Wood, cherry, vanilla nose with a bit too much alcohol wafting inside for my taste. It seemed to sting my nose more than tantalize it. Light to medium body with flavor of cherry, blackberry and wood. I liked the initial flavor but it tapers off so quickly that I feel as if I only received a hint of its full potential.

-Gabriella

• 2003 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla
  100% Syrah
  10 months in French oak
  Deep rich red color in the glass. The nose at first is fresh dirt which quickly morphs into grape, bacon fat, some herbal notes, black cherry, black raspberry, and clove. Really impressive nose. The mouthfeel is strong and forward, though the firm tannins and acids seem to be in the most balance out of all of their wines. On the palate though the fruit of the nose becomes muted, with some raspberry, and black cherry, wood and smoke. It was opened and poured and I believe it would benefit from decanting. Also on the finish with enough aeration I caught hints of cork taint. Like I said more time open would have told us if it was tainted. I want to try this again because I think there is potential. Not rated due to possible taint.
• 2003 Bodega Los Aljibes Viño de la Tierra de Castilla – Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Viño de la Tierra de Castilla
  45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
  12 months in American and French Oak
  Deep purple/red inky. The nose shows smoke, mint, raspberry, and light minerality earth. Big in the mouth with a firm acidity, and soft but large tannins. Flavors of cherry, rich fruit, a touch of pepper, some minerals, and oak. Well made, and probably will get better with 2-3 years of laying down.