2015 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

This is mostly Tempranillo but also has 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (according to the label). This is everything one wants in a Gran Reserva including a reasonable price! Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and forest floor. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Good balance. On the palate, this has a nice complexity and depth. Flavors of cherries, black cherries, wild herbs, spice and slight tobacco notes. Long finish. Mature but plenty of life left. Drink over the next fifteen years. This is great on its own but will work well with food. It would be a nice choice with Veal Cutlets.

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Vintage:

2015

Current Price:

$37.00USD

2016 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

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Current Price:

$27.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo from Rioja in Spain. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, vanilla, spice, and tea leaves. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Good balance. On the palate, cherries, slight charred cherries, spice and forest floor notes. Some complexity and depth. This shows some maturity but there is room for further development. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. This is nice on its own and has an introspective quality but also will work well with food. A nice wine with stews or

2011 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

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Current Price:

$80.00USD

Another classic Rioja albeit a slightly more modern style. This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Ruby in color with a purple core, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with cherries, cedar, black cherries, forest floor, dust and chocolate. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is delicious. Black cherries, tobacco and spice with some underlying char. Some chocolate comes out on the long finish. This is still young but already great. A couple more years in the cellar will be rewarded but this is fantastic drinking now. Drink over th

2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

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Current Price:

$35.00USD

This is an excellent value in a mostly traditional Spanish wine from Rioja. It is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and and 30% a combination of balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano. Deep ruby in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black cherries, blueberries, slight tobacco, cloves and slight dill. Full bodied. On the palate, this has an "old world" feel to it, but with plenty of ripe fruit too. The blueberries and black cherries come thru over a bed of dusty dry leaves with a slight bit of savory spices. Nice finish. This drinks well on its own but really worked well with

2016 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva Especial, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

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Current Price:

$49.00USD

Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, cedar, dil, and vanilla. Medium bodied. Drying tannins. On the palate, cherries with underlying char. some depth. Good balance. Long finish. This is a nice, easy drinking Rioja that should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years. Nice on its own, this is food friendly and would work well with roast meats or veggies.

2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia, Spain,

Vintage:

2008

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Current Price:

$40.00USD

One of the best of the traditional Rioja wine producers. This wine lived up to its reputation. A blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 10% Graciano and Manzuelo. Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, slight plums, vanilla, smoke and slight balsamic notes. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this has plenty of depth. Cherries, dried cherries, smoke and slight dill notes. Good acidity. Nice finish. This is delicious and complex. It drinks great on its own and even better with food. Lamb stew would be a nice choice. Drink over the next fifteen to twent

2015 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

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