Somm Grand Cru - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of lovely wines from Spain that I received back in March as part of my Somm Grand Cru Membership.

Somm is a free Wine and Culinary App that is available for both Android and iOS devices. Through the app, Somm provides free wine recommendations based on food pairings and your personal preferences. An upgrade to the Somm Cru Membership adds perks such as complimentary wine at restaurants, discounts at hotels, and free wine tastings at wineries, as well as free shipping and discounts from wine agencies.

I enjoyed the top tier Somm Grand Cru Membership, which not only includes all of the perks from Cru Membership, but also adds three specially selected bottles of wine which are delivered to your door every month. The wines are selected by a rotating group of Somm's partners, with generally two bundles for you to choose from, and wine delivery occurring at the end of the month. For March, the wine bundles were curated by Cosecha Imports.

Somm Grand Cru also includes exclusive invitations to sommelier-led virtual and in-person tastings. I attended a special in-person wine tasting event at the end of March which was hosted by Master Sommelier Elyse Lambert of Somm and focused on Celebrating Women's History Month and indigenous varieties from Spain.

Tasting Notes:

JOSEP FORASTER PETITA JULIETA 2020 - DO Conca de Barberà, Spain (XD) - $22
Blend of Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Trepat. The perfumed, medium-high intensity nose offers spicy, red cherry, red berry, funky wet earth, and wild herb aromas. On the ripe, medium-full bodied palate it has fresh, vibrant acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins that support the cran-cherry, raspberry, earthy minerals, and wild herb flavours. A little tight on the back palate with slightly chalky tannins. Fine earthy mineral notes linger on the long, tight, and crisp finish. Enjoyable now, but should be even better in a year or two. Score: 90 pts

BARCO DEL CORNETA CUCÚ 2020 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon, Spain (XD) - $26
100% Verdejo that was organically grown at 718 metres altitude on siliceous sands and stones over clay and limestone subsoils. The grapes were handpicked and fermented in stainless steel using natural yeasts, followed by ageing for 8 months in 90% stainless steel and 10% French tonneau. Fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant aromas of lemon citrus, flinty mineral, and herbs accented with ripe white peach, apple, and pear notes. On the creamy, medium-full bodied palate it has fine lemon citrus, flinty mineral, and herbal replays, along with some spice tones. Acids are crisp and juicy. Stone fruits, apple, citrus, and flinty mineral notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Score: 90+ pts

ALVAR DE DIOS HERNANDEZ TIO UCO 2020 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon, Spain (XD) - $24
This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha was grown in the Toro appellation at an average of altitude of 750 metres above sea level on soils which are mostly sand and sandstone. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in a combination of used 3,500, 1,200, and 1,000 Litre oak foudres for five months. Fresh, ripe and fruit forward aromas of red and black cherry with earthy-stony minerality rise out of the glass. On the chewy, medium-full bodied palate it has pleasing aroma replays, plus notes of pomegranate, cran-cherry, and dried spices. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the refined tannins have a slightly dusty and chalky texture. Slightly grippy and tangy on the fresh, juicy, minerally finish, with very good length. Score: 90 pts