Sadly, this was badly corked. A shame as it was my last bottle.
Visiting wine country? Why spend $250 per day in tasting fees when you can get the wine pass and pay less then half of that? 1 Day with the wine pass = $125+ in savings. 2 Days with the wine pass = $250+ in savings. The Priority Wine Pass
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.
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.
Sadly, this was horribly corked (TCA). The note is included to see if this is a random episode or something others should be aware of.
This is the second bottle from a Case bought on release to celebrate special moments with my son (his birth year). (The first was opened for his high school graduation.) Decanted for sediment and served. Deep garnet in color. The nose has some stink to it. Personally, I thought it was great but there is a warm barnyard quality to it along with some cherry lozenges and a bit of char. On the palate, this drinks very clean. Light tannins that build with air. Complex layers of forest floor, cherries, slight dried cherries and char. Wonderful texture. Long finish. Went great with some
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.
