2011 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is about as classic as old style Rioja gets.  As the Gran Reserva's get more expensive, this is truly a great value in traditional Rioja.  The wineis fermented in 144 year old oak vats before being stored for five years in used American oak barrels.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls and maybe just a hint of orange.  The nose is great with cherries, spice, cedar, dust and slight herbal note.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries with slight black cherries and spice.  Complex and deep.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass.  This is drinking well now but should hav

2012 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

We tasted this about 5 years ago and it has really filled out since then.  This is a blend of 55% Tempranillo, 20% Granacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano and 5% Monastrell from Rioja, Spain.  It is a more modern take than a traditional Rioja but still made using American Oak.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight chocolate, toast and spice.  Full bodied.  Plenty of depth.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now on its own and would work well with meats or fowl or roasted

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

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
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
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
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

2019 Cofrade Rioja, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$9.00USD

I believe this is Viura.  Yellow gold in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has some minerals and smoke.  It has a viscous texture.  On the palate, this is tart with green apple notes.  Moderate finish.  A nice sipping wine that will work well with lighter foods.  Drink now.  

2012 R. López de Heredia Rioja Crianza Viña Cubillo, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is the basic wine from this great, traditional winery.  Purchased at a Tapas restaurant, this is an excellent value.  It is a blend of Tempranillo (65%), Garnacho (25%), and the rest Mazuelo and Graciano.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight dill, tobacco and slight mushrooms.  Medium bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, loads of fresh cherry fruit with just a bit of dried over a dry tobacco base.  Some spice.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but worked even better with a series of small Tapas plates.  Drink over the next eight

2018 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja Blanco, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is a white wine from Rioja in Spain.  It is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, and 40% Viura.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has citrus, spice, with a slight balsamic note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is refreshing but also has some complexity.  Good acidity.  The citrus carries thru with the underlying dry earth.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own, but works better with food.  Gaxzpacho would be a nice pairing.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
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

2014 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 10% Graciano, and 5% Manuelo from Spain.  It is a modern, delicious take on Rioja.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, espresso, and baking spices.  Full bodied.  Very nice texture. It has lots of black raspberries, some black cherries with underlying spice.  There is some warmth to it.  Drinking great now, it should drink well for another decade.  This drinks great on its own and will work great with heavier meat dishes.  Think steak or brisket.  

2012 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is pretty with cherries, black cherries, slight dust, and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Flavors of black cherries with some dill.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  Very food friendly, this should go with a wide variety but stews and casseroles should do very well.  It is probably close to peak but should be at this level for a decade.  Available for around $15, this is a great value in traditional Rioja.  

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