The following are the top-scoring wines in José Peñin's invaluable guide to practically all Spanish wines of interest produced, the Guia Peñin 2008.
Of more than 8,000 wines tasted, these were the ones that he awarded more than 95 points out of 100, after several tastings of his favourites.
Of the 38 wines in this list, nine of them are sherries (with two more from Montilla-Moriles), particularly the small-production lots of Valdespino, rarely seen outside Spain unfortunately.
Boston importer and winemaker Jorge Ordóñez will also be pleased to see so many of his wines in the list – as will Dominio de Atauta of Ribera del Duero. José Peñin noted that white wines were on the up, as were what he called terroir wines, ie wines that clearly reflect their place of origin.
Alvear PX 1830 Reserva, Montilla-Moriles 98
Dominio de Atauta, Llanos del Almendro 2005 Ribera del Duero 98
Valdespino (José Estévez), La Bota de Fino, Macharnudo Alto, Bota nº 7, Jerez 98
Valdespino (José Estévez) Bota Punta Palo Cortado, Jerez 98
Alvaro Palacios L’Ermita 2005 Priorat 97
Vega Sicilia, Reserva Especial Añadas 89-90-94 Ribera del Duero 97
Finca Allende, Avrvs 2004 Rioja 97
Enate (Viñedos y Crianzas del Alto Aragón), Uno barrel-fermented Chardonnay 2003 Somontano 97
Valdespino (José Estévez) La Bota de Manzanilla, Las Cañas, Bota no 4, Jerez 97
Domecq, Sibarita VORS 30 años Oloroso, Jerez 96
Domecq, Venerable 30 años VORS PX, Jerez 96
Pintia 2005 Toro 96
Artadi, Viña El Pisón 2005 Rioja 96
Pingus 2005 Ribera del Duero 96
Bodegas Alto Moncayo Aquilón 2005 Campo de Borja 96
Jorge Ordóñez, Viñas Viejas 2005 Blanco dulce
Benjamín Romeo, Contador Barrica 2005 Rioja 96
Ossian 2006 barrel-fermented Rueda 96
Chivite Colección 125 Vendimia Tardía 2005 Navarra 95
Domecq, La Ina Fino, Jerez 95
Emilio Moro Malleolus de Valderramiro 2004 Ribera del Duero 95
Clos Mogador 2004 Priorat 95
Barbadillo, Reliquia Amontillado, Jerez 95
Vega Sicilia Único 1998 Ribera del Duero 95
Finca Allende Calvario 2004 Rioja 95
Muga, Aro 2004 Rioja 95
Viña Nora, Nora da Neve 2005 Rias Baixas 95
Pérez Barquero, La Cañada PX Montilla-Moriles 95
Alonso del Yerro, María 2005 Ribera del Duero 95
El Nido 2004 Jumilla 95
Osborne Rare Sherry Solera BC 200 Oloroso, Jerez 95
Dominio de Atauta, Valdegatiles 2005 Ribera del Duero 95
Osborne Rare Sherry PX, Jerez 95
Bodegas Campante Alma de Reboreda, Vino naturalmente dulce 2004 Ribeiro 95
Dominio de Atauta, Llanos del Almendro 2004 Ribera del Duero 95
Venus La Universal, Dido 2006 Montsant 95
Cuevas Jiménez, Ferratus Sensaciones 2003 Ribera del Duero 95
Alemany I Corrio, Sot Lefriec 2004 Penedès 95