301319 Wed Jan 11 15:47:21 -0800 2006 3 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1679428 hello all... i was given a bottle of TAJA GRAN RESERVA 1994 JUMILLA and a bottle of TORRES SANGRA DE TORO 50 ANNIVERSAIO 2001 for christmas. i know nothing about either one. can you help? thanks! Wed Jan 11 15:47:21 -0800 2006 0 niccole 1 1679433 "TAJA GRAN RESERVA 1994 JUMILLA and a bottle of TORRES SANGRA DE TORO 50 ANNIVERSAIO 2001" Your friend has given you two wines not from the classic regions of Duero or Rioja, but they are interesting. The Taja is unlike most Spanish wines in that it's not made from the Tempranillo grape (Rioja and Duero wines) nor is it from the classic wine growing areas in the Basque country or even Catalunya, but from the south, which is dry and harsh. I haven't tasted this one, but the gran reserva is the best of Taja's wines. I'd be interested to know what it tastes like so please share your reaction. The Torres is one of the most distinguished wine growers in Catalunya (think Barcelona), most famous for a great white wine, Viña Sol. This is a strong red Grenache blend. Some find it too oaky (veering towards the old Rioja style). Others accuse the winery of tending towards Parker style wines (what winery isn't these days?). I loved the only bottle I tasted, which was full of fruit and not too oaky for my taste. This should be the better of the two bottles, but you never know until you drink 'em! Open them up, let us know the story! Wed Jan 11 16:18:02 -0800 2006 1679428 0 Sean Dell 1 1679482 I'm a wine neophyte, but I wish I had that 94 from the Jumilla. My favorite restaurant served nothing but Spanish wines up unitl a short time ago, so I have tasted a few. My favorite by far was a wine from the Jumilla , a blend, but mostly monestrell (mourvedre). Big, kick-ass red. Let us know what you think. Thu Jan 12 11:04:55 -0800 2006 1679428 0 danna 1 1679611 thanks for your ideas! next month i am going to a nice dinner out and we shall bring this bottle with us. i will report back! Sat Jan 14 09:46:14 -0800 2006 1679428 0 niccole