2012 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

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.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2012

Current Price:

$15.00USD

2007 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2007

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$30.00USD

Ruby in color with slight browning. The nose has spice, clay and cherries. It also has a ton of dill which was off putting to some. The dill does carry thru to the palate, so be warned if that is a sensitivity. Others liked it. Firm tannins. Nice black cherry fruit. Good balance. Works better with food than alone. Pretty classic Rioja in style.

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

Vintage:

2010

Score:

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.

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

Vintage:

2001

Score:

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.

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.

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

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This was the second time tasting this wine this month. Lucky me! It is classic old style Rioja impeccably produced. Truly a great value in traditional Rioja. The wine is fermented in 144 year old oak vats before being stored for five years in used American oak barrels and five more in bottles. It is a blend of Tempranillo (80%), Garnacho (15%), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano (5%) from estate vineyards. 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.

2012 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

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