Ruby/purple in color. The nose has cranberries and tobacco. On the palate, this is interesting. More red currants than cranberries (or cherries). Tart fruit. slight tannins. OK finish. Drinking well now, it won't get better and is better consumed in the next few years. Food friendly.
Brought back from Spain by a neighbor after meeting with the owners. This is drinking well now and traditional. Ruby in color. The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dried dill. On the palate, this seems to be just slightly past prime but still drinking well. Dried and fresh cherries with no tannins. Easy drinking. Food friendly. A very good value although drinking in the first couple of years from vintage is a good idea.
This is a very modern take on Rioja. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is tight. With air it shows black cherries and black raspberries. Also some spice. On the palate, this is deep and delicious. Firm tannins. Bright black cherry fruit. Blind, I would have probably guessed California Grenache. Still, it is delicious and inexpensive (under $20). It would make a great party wine. Not sure how well this will age. It might be fun to lay a bottle or two down.
It had been a long time since I tried this ubiquitous Rioja wine. It is still very good and an excellent value at around $15. Purple/garnet in color. The nose is nice with spice, cherries and slight black cherries. With air some vanilla comes out. On the palate, this is soft and accessible. Light tannins. Cherries and slight dill. Good finish. This will work with almost any food.
This is a lighter, but traditional, Rioja. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose is a bit earthy with fresh cherries and a whiff of tobacco. Light to medium bodied. Light tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, flavors of cherries with a bit of char. Anise on the finish. This drinks easily and should for the next five to seven years. Nice on its own, this would be a great mid week meatloaf or pizza wine.
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.
