2003 Benjamin Romeo Rioja La Cueva del Contador, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Great producer in the very HOT vintage of 2003. Again it shows producer over vintage. At age 21, this wine is showing nicely. I would bet on release most critics would not have thought it would last past twenty years. It is 100% Tempranillo. Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, sour cherries, slight vanilla and spice. Medium bodied. Tannins mostly resolved. Lower acidity. On the palate, this is complex. Most of the fruit has faded but there are still some sour cherry notes. Also some dried cherries and spices. Good finish. This really needs food at this point. Roasted mushrooms are a good fit. Drink now.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2003

Current Price:

$110.00USD

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

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

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.

2004 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage:

2004

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is drinking well and seems to be at or possibly just pack peak. It is a pretty modern take on Tempranillo but with some bottle age it shows traditionally. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, cedar and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, cherries with spice and slight smoke. Nice finish. This is ageing gracefully and doesn't seem almost twenty years old. That said, these should be drunk up at this point. Nice on its own but better with food. It would work well

1996 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage:

1996

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

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

2001 Bodegas AAlto PS, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage:

2001

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$275.00USD

Bought on release and well stored. On release, this was a very modern take on Tempranillo. At age 22, it still drinks that way although it has calmed down and matured quite a bit since then. Still drinking youthfully. Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries with an earthy notes. With air, more barnyard emerges (Brettanomyces) although not strong. Full bodied. Tannins are resolved. On the palate, raspberries with black cherries and some kirsch. A bit of char as well. Long, slightly drying finish. Complex and deep, this won't get better but shou

2016 Atalayas de Golban Ribera del Duero Torre de Golbán Crianza, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$15.00USD

This is 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, dusty attic notes and some cherries. Medium bodied with good acidity. On the palate, tart black cherries and some cherries with underlying char. Seems to be about at peak right now but should drink well for another three to five years. This is nice on its own and will work well with meats and fowl. A nice wine for a sausage pizza.

2003 Benjamin Romeo Rioja La Cueva del Contador, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

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