In 2004 I visited the small town of Haro, La Rioja and established my affiliation with the superb wines from the heart of winemaking in Spain. Since then I’ve been challenged in trying to duplicate the wines I tasted. I’ve come close on some occasions, but I could never really find that one wine which took me back. Well, finally I believe I have found the wine. Viña Zaco is a hip new wine from that very region of Rioja which hit the spot when my wife and I shared a bottle last week. I found the wine at Henry’s for a great price of $11.99 and proceeded to relive the wines I had in 2006. This 100% Tempranillo was an excellent example of what Rioja has come to be. Winemaker Diego Pinilla has captured the best of Rioja and given it a modern hip check. Pick up a bottle, it is a jewel.

Phantom 2005: Bogle Vineyards. I picked this up at Wine Loft in Carlsbad ($19.95). This stuff always sells out at Wine Bank (San Diego). Not as good as couple of vintages ago but still a fav. My regret is my taste buds are shot because I have a cold. My wife says its as good as expected. A blend of Californian Petite Sryah, Old Vine Zinfandel and Old Vine Mourvèdre.

Comments from the field: Joylene, “I like the smell”

Have you ever reached for a $15 bottle of wine and end up uncorking a Vintage 1988 Spanish gem. Hello! I received a Torres Cabernet Sauvignon in a wine club shipment a couple months back, filed it and forgot about it. As I reached for a mid week beverage I recalled purchasing a Torres wine at BevMo a couple weeks back. I didnt think much of it until I tasted the glorious glass of the smoothest Cab I’ve tasted. Oops. Not bad for a wine who’s grapes were picked 20 years ago. Oh well, I’ll look closer next time. Went well with Linguini and Italian sausage.

We’ve had our share of red Riojas, but a white Rioja. Whaaaa? Crispy, grapefruity, and scallions. Not grassy. I hate grassy. $10.99 at WineStyles. Sent from Bruno’s darkbrown iPhone

Last week I received an email on my iPhone from Robert and it gave me a great idea. It was a quick picture of the latest wine he had tried with a brief review. So thanx to Robert’s email, I’m starting and inviting all DBB’s friends to join in and text or email a quick foto and brief review of the latest vino you’ve tasted and enjoyed or spat out. I know I’ll be contributing. So with that, DBB presents The iPhone Wine Club:

“A merlot?!?! Enjoyed with bell peppers stuffed with hand made curried lamb and sauteed artichokes. Sent from my iPhone – Robert”