I have a problem that I am sure many of you out there can relate to. Because of our interest in wine and buying habits, you and I became to be known as the "wine guy." (I mean that in a gender-neutral way.) Friends and family look forward to having us over because we bring good wine for everyone to enjoy. In fact, it is expected of us. It's not because we are wine snobs but because we have taken the time to search out wines that taste good and are not the usual wines your friends drink with cute labels, produced by corporate tank farms. Ok, maybe I am a wine geek that would instead take an offered beer rather than a glass of cheaply made mass-produced wine. But that's my cross to bear. The downside is, because we are the 'wine guy,' we always want to bring wine that is a wow factor, but sometimes our prized wines may not be as appreciated as much, and we could use a less expensive way to be that 'wine guy.'

In an exercise in journalistic leeway, let me present a bottle of wine to you in the style of a true cork-dork to amaze and impress your friends.

What I have for you today is a small estate bottled production of red Spanish wine from La Mancha, famous as the land of knight-errant Don Quixote, also the largest and one of the most prestigious wine-growing areas in the world. Made from Garncha (Grenache) and Monastrell (Mourvedre), found 3,000 feet above sea level growing in sandy soils high in limestone, perfect for wine grapes. Fermented separately in temperature-controlled tanks and then aged for four months in French oak. Perfectly balanced and ready to drink, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate thought highly of the wine giving in 90 pts, and Spain's most popular wine-buying guide Guia Penin awarded it 91 pts.

What should be omitted when describing this wine to your friends is that it costs less than that wine with a Kangaroo on its label. The wine is a crowd pleaser, a voluptuous Grenache/Mourvedre style so popular in Southern Rhone and Australia. This is the type of wine to bring in quantity that will keep your 'wine guy" reputation intact and yet keep your budget in line.

Wine that combines complexity, structure, and an intense cherry red color. Elegant, fresh, and complex nose where mature fruits and floral notes are appreciated. Pleasant and fresh on the palate, balanced with sweet but youthful tannins, unctuous and enveloping, with an original and interesting step in the mouth with a long finish.

Deep cherry color. Aromas of dried herbs, creamy oak, ripe fruit, black fruit, black licorice, and balsamic herbs. The wine has flavors of powerful, ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins. Guia Penin 91 pts (Spain's most famous and comprehensive wine guide)

The 2021 Laya was produced with 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Monastrell, looking for a fruit-driven and easy-to-drink red with 14.5% alcohol, ripe fruit, and a soft texture. This fermented in stainless steel vats with neutral yeasts, with malolactic in barrel, where the wine matured for four months. This shows some toasty oak, but it might be because it's too young and very recently bottled. But vintages seem to take oak differently; they believe this will show as integrated as the 2020. Time will tell. In any case, it's a wine for the short term, and it's very good for what it is. Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90 pts

Bodegas Atalaya Laya 2021

When we tasted Laya, it was everything we expected of this La Mancha Grenache/Mouvedre blend (Garncha/Monestrell)—deep dark garnet in color with a plummy fruit bowl aroma. In the mouth, flavors continued with plums, black fruit, spice, some star on anise (black licorice), and some earthy herb tones. The wine finishes dry, with light acids balanced by fine round tannins. A real crowd pleaser at barbeques, pool parties, picnics, or just hanging out on the deck, and at a great price. You will also appreciate that there is no need for a coupon to get this price, so load up now for the summer.

Regular Price: $8.99

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

Place your order now with the store contacts above, while you've got all the information at your fingertips.

Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Attleboro

628 Washington St.

Norwood

942 Providence Hgwy.

Sturbridge

376 Main Street.

Swansea

207 Swansea Mall Dr.

Monday-Saturday

9AM to 9PM