Community Tasting Note

tb_baltimore Likes this wine:

Friday, January 17, 2014 - Not sure how I've ended up being so early on the write-ups for this one. The 2001 had a huge number of reviews (maybe due to the NY Times write up on Rioja). I can't directly compare the two vintages. But, compared to the Rioja that I usually find (ie not aged to this level and/or not produced to this quality level), this is a huge step up in quality. Generally I seem to be drinking a Rioja that is much rougher and much more similar to a cough syrup brand. This is smooth, well-crafted, and a total pleasure. The nose is cherry, red berry, and Asian spice with a sense of a ripe Spring day. The taste is one that builds with modest tannins, cherry, red fruit, vanilla and spice. It's not fruit forward and not dominated by alcohol. Excellent.

(note added: I did a little more reading and it may be that it was mislabeled in the Calvert Woodley computers, it said Especial, but there's many more entries for the Reserva and I don't see on the Producer's web page anything about a Especial designation, so I suspect this is actually the same as what others (about 152 others) have been commenting on)

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