I have some great tastings and events coming down the pike, courtesy of my local wine shop, The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan.  Some may deride me for belonging to a wine club, but I find it so much fun.  It is wines that I might not even look at in a wine shop, as there are always so many bottles to look at, so little time.  I was probably a bit obnoxious, OK, maybe a bit more when I first walk in there.  I knew of the store for ages, but my work routine was identical to the hours at the shop.  My Bride and I finally got there for an initial visit, after, we had dined at their restaurant Vertical in Downtown Detroit.  Here was a wine shop that was totally curated by the owner and the staff.  I didn’t have to look at shelves and shelves of the same wines that can be found at gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores and big box stores.  Everything was worth trying, and not to mention, they even offered to let you try some of their selections.  One-ounce pours are offered, and one can make some fine selections after a pour.  Two wines are chosen each month, one representing the Old World, and one representing the New World.

The first wine is Nexus One Tempranillo Tinta Fina, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2018.  Nexus & Frontaura was established in 1840 by the Gonzalez family, when the first vineyards were planted in the Toro region.  Bodegas Frontaura and Nexus Bodegas produce wines from the prestigious appellations in Castilla y Leon: Toro, Ribera del Duero, and Rueda.  Camino Pardo Alvarez is from the original Gonzalez family, a union of a Castilian father and an Asturian mother.  Sine 1999, she has been active in production, viticulture, and enology, and in the international marketing of the wines.  In 2004 she became the General Manager of Marques de Valdelecasas, Bodegas Frontaura and Nexus.  Ribera del Duero rose from basic obscurity in the 1980’s to one of the most important wine regions.  For red wines Tempranillo is the main varietal, though some blending is allowed.  The region uses the same aging rules as found in Rioja. The vineyards are planted on sandy-clay and loam.  This wine is pure Tempranillo and has been aged for eight months in French Oak.  The wine is a dark cherry red color with notes of ripe cherries, lavender flowers, balsamic and a touch of menthol.  On the palate there are tones of cherries, vanilla, and caramel blended with sweet and polished tannins and offering a medium count finish of ripe fruit and spices. 

The wine representing the New World is Highlands 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2021.  The winery is named after the historic Highway 41 and the rugged Creston Highlands.  The Creston Highlands are over 1,300 feet above sea level with limestone-rich soils, which originally were submerged sea beds.  The estate vineyards and winery are Certified Sustainable by CSWA using environmentally friendly farming practices, solar panels, and wastewater treatment and reclamation.  The winery is under the umbrella of Riboli Family Wines, now in their fourth generation of winemaking excellence with estate vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey, and Napa Valley.  The wine is pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the Creston Highland Vineyard, and barrel aged in oak for ten months.  A deep red wine that offers notes of red fruits, licorice, and chocolate.  On the palate tones of black cherry, plum, cocoa, and dark spices and strongly recommended for grilled meats.