2010 Bodegas Olarra Rioja Cerro Anon Reserva, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.97USD

Seems like a pretty modern take on Rioja.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight dust, and a bit of black cherries.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cherries, black cherries with medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Easy drinking but also a bit of depth.  This will please with or without food.  This retails for around $20 which is a great value.  

2017 Biurko Gorri Rioja Joven, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, this has cherries turning to bitter cherry on the finish.  No tannins.  Easy to drink.  Nothing complex here, but for 12 bucks, this is a food friendly wine that will work for a variety of foods that are not too light or heavy.  Great for parties or cookouts.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2017 Biurko Sauvignon Blanc, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a young wine from Rioja using Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  It is a bit of a different take on both white Rioja and Sauvignon Blanc.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose is very nice.  There is some grapefruit but mostly this has a refreshing clean aroma to it with some underlying minerals.  On the palate, this is again, about the minerality.  A very round wine and easy to drink.  Some citrus and acidity but not dominant.  Works fine on its own bout will work with lighter foods.  Retails for around $15 which is a nice value.  

2004 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this bottle.  Purple in color.  The nose is dusty with dark cherries and tobacco.  On the palate, black cherries and the tobacco continues thru.  Good balance.  Some tannins left.  Nice finish.  Blind I would have guessed right bank Bordeaux.  Still youthful, but not a baby.  Probably needs another five years until peak.  Nice complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Great with some hearty food.  Maybe a point or tow of upside still.  

2001 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

I used to drink a lot of this wine and earlier vintages back in the day.  Its been a while, but when a friend popped the cork, it was fun.  Still a great wine.  Ruby in color.  The nose is earthy with slight barnyard.  Cherries, slight dill, and slighter vanilla.  On the palate, cherry fruit with a bit of cherry cough drops.  Good acidity.  Very food friendly.  Softer texture.  Nice depth.  Seems to be drinking at or near peak but no hurry.  

2014 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Cune Crianza, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

My second time trying this.  The first was with my dinner in the Barcelona train station from a 375ml.  We need more trains in the US.  Ruby in color.  The nose has nice cherries.  On the palate, this has a slight amount of acid.  Cherries and slightly bitter cherries.  No real tannins.  Just a nice, little bot of fruit wine.  Drink in the next couple of years.  For under $15, this is a good value and may be the choice from time to time on a restaurant list.  

2014 Dinastía Vivanco Rioja Crianza Selección de Familia, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a nice value red from the Rioja region of Spain.   It retails for around $16 which is a great price for a nice red.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, there are cherries and some tobacco.  Slight tannins.  Good balance.  There is some depth/complexity here but this is not a wine to be aged.  That said, if well stored it should be good for at least five more years.  Works well with a wide variety of food.  

2012 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice; spice, plums and cherries with a bit of dill.  Nice texture.  Slight tannins.  Tart cherries on the palate.  Nice finish.  This retails for $33.  It is drinking well now and should be good for five to ten years.  

2001 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

In a great plae right now.  No hurry but showing mature development.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has some slight funk to it.  Not a lot, but some.  Cherries, dark cherries, cigar box and leather as well.  On the palate, lots of black cherry and cherry fruit.  Layers of earth and forest floor.  Good balance.  Wonderful mouthfeel.  Nice finish.  Worked well with food.  While this was a bit modern in style in its youth, it has aged just beautifully as it turns into an older Rioja.  

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