Rioja, SpainLook carefully in the glass; this wine is holding plenty of pigment for its age, with a ruby core and just the hint of orange at the rim. Note the metallic blood and meat whiffs that change quickly to dried currants and sweet plums. It’s lifted and floral, with developed aromas of leather, tobacco, old books and tar. In the mouth is when you come to understand the leap in quality and concentration that Gran Reservas offer. Wonderfully focussed fruit flavours of ripe strawberries and dark cassis strut on a red carpet of cocoa, ink and savoury dried herbs. Both French and American oak has a voice in the wine, with notes of brown sugar and clove spice, nicely complimenting rich fruit and complex, leathery maturation character. The tannins are substantial and present from this low-yielding, concentrated vintage, but best of all, bright acidity illuminates the wine from inside. Gran Reserva wines are only made in the best vintages and must age at the bodega for five years before they are released, ensuring a base level of integration, harmony and burnish. It’s got years to go but offers much satisfaction now with a leg of lamb or breast of duck.Tasted: 23 May 2019Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$39.99
750ml
private wine shops
Producer: Compañía Vitivinícola del Norte de Espana (CVNE)Distributors: Pacific Wine & Spirits Inc. Grape: Tempranillo/Tinto Fino/Tinta del Toro/AragonezCSPC: 863845UPC: 8410591004592
Rioja, Spain2012 Gran Reserva is a classic 85/10/5/ mix of tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo that is aged in oak for two years and then aged in glass in the bottle for three more years. If you weren’t aware, the Riojanas do all the ageing for you, in the perfect environment (their cellar) making it simple for you to enjoy drinking older wine. All that said, this wine has a lovely fresh, red fruited modern-style nose that appeals. The attack is much more substantial but equally clean and appealing with earthy, cherry, bloody flavours that stretch out through a dry, reserved finish where the oak supports but is barely noticeable in the flavour profile. You can drink this now with a grilled lamb chop, or you can continue to cellar it through 2022.Tasted: 27 March 2019Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$39.99
750ml
private wine shops
Producer: Compañía Vitivinícola del Norte de Espana (CVNE)Distributors: Pacific Wine & Spirits Inc. Grape: Tempranillo/Tinto Fino/Tinta del Toro/AragonezCSPC: 863845UPC: 8410591004592
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