Tried and Tasted - this week's Staff Recommendations

This week, the Exel Wines team have been tasting:
Bodegas Valsacro Tudejem Spain 2009

Russell Wallace, General Manager

The Escudero family love to do something just that little bit different.  More often than not it means a wine with more flavour and quality than you thought possible, and a lifespan that beggars belief.  In general, Spanish Castilla wines are best known in the UK for being cheap house wine fodder, fear not though as the Tudejem is so far from this stereo type.  A big voluptuous wine, full of dark fruits and an elegant evolving finish that just lasts onto the oaky last notes. Score: 17/20

Ally Moir, Exel Wines Shop

I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this one.

My apprehensions were kinda growing as the initial aroma wasn’t shouting come and get me, however once up to room temperature (and yes again using my Vinturi) the is a big mouthful of vanilla and soft tannins to match, this has a nice feel about it having aged well in the bottle.  And hey , what’s this on the finish – it reminds me a little bit of  a very light tawny port, but, no it’s not that, is it a little bit of Pedro Ximenex, no but its very definitely some sultanas, raisins on quite a long finish. Lovely. Score: 14.5/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Delicious. Bramble and Cherry flavours with moderate tannins and a smoky wood finish makes for an extremely drinkable wine. Would be great with hearty red meat dishes but equally brilliant for drinking on its own. Looking forward to emptying a bottle as the embers of the barbecue die away. Score: 15/20

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

Powerful, medium weight wine with sweet cherry fruit.  Not for drinking on its own! – more of a food wine.

Still drinking pretty well and I would say it has a while to go yet.  Found it pretty strong – would go well with cheese and rich meats such as Venison.

Leanne Brodie, Data Administration Assistant

Nice smell, but too sweet for my palate though!

Mark Powrie, Orders Team
This has a punch when the bottle is first opened. I got a whiff of ripe red cherries, leading onto softer red fruits. After savouring the smell for a couple of minutes, the first taste was very powerful, hitting the back of my throat. I thought that this was going to be a very dry wine, however, after a couple of sips, the fruits began to work and the flavours of red berries, aniseed and even a little burn flavour came through. 

This was a lovely red wine, I might have lost the edge with drinking it on its own, but it certainly did not disappoint.