2019 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Cune Reserva, Spain, Wine Review
This is a blend of Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo from Spain. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, spice, slight balsamic and slight cherries. Medium to full bodied. Good acidity. Medium tannins. On the palate, flavors of black cherries, cherries, spice and anise. Good finish. This is drinking well now and will still improve a bit. Better with food but nice on its own. Hold for a few years and drink for ten after that. A nice choice with fried chicken.
2019 Villota Rioja Viñedo Singular Viña Gena, Spain, Wine Review
2018 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Reserva, Spain, Wine Review
2019 Bodegas Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva Unica, Spain, Wine Review
Great showing for this wine. This is 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano. This was tight on opening but with air gets a dusty nose followed by black cherries. This has firm tannins and is full bodied. Great texture. On the palate, black cherries with a bit of anise. Nice finish. This s drinking well now and should for another ten to fifteen years. It would probably better with some food, it worked well with cheeses and olives.
2019 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja, Spain, Wine Review
This is a blend of 87% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha aged in American oak for 24 years. Ruby in color, some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright. The nose is classic with sandalwood and cherries. Very nice semi-plush texture. Medium bodied. ood acidity. On the palate, black cherries, cherries and a hint of anise on the finish. This drinks well on its own but is even better with food. This would be a nice wine with a hearty stew. Drink over the next ten years.
2019 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial, Spain, Wine Review
2018 Bodegas Ramirez Rioja Reserva Ramirez de la Piscina, Spain, Wine Review
This is 100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain. It is very traditional in style. It opened quickly before shutting down and was just starting to reopen when my glass was empty. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, spice, slight vanilla and slighter anise. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. The cherries and anise come thru to the palate with a slight balsamic note. Good balance. Nice finish. Nice on its own but better with some food. A nice match for meatloaf with a tomato based sauce. Drink over the next five to eight years.
2019 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Alberdi Reserva, Spain, Wine Review
Danaus 2022 Red Blend
This blend of 45% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha Tinta with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, this wine, made with organic grapes, is truly a stellar piece of winemaking considering it’s $13 price tag. Not only is it seamlessly blended but the acidity supports the impeccable fruit of blackberry, black cherry, plum, cassis, and light blueberry. There’s a solid core of acidity that runs through this supporting the structure of the wine. A scant four months of aging in small French oak accentuates the fruit.