Blind Spanish Reds Tasting

8 wines were purchased, mainly from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. All but 1 were Tempranillo based. Wines were tasted blind by a group of 9 people over the course of an evening, with snacks. Everyone started with a different wine in the line-up.

Wines labeled A-H in blind tasting. Wine A - Ramon Bilbao... Wine H - Campo Viejo.

• 2008 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Rioja Crianza 85 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Tasted blind. Aromas of dried fruit, bell pepper, and oak. Still quite tannic.

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• 2001 Bodegas Campillo Rioja Reserva 87 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Drank blind. Aromas of dark and tree fruit. Aged aroma & appearance. Slightly tannic with some complexity.

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• 2005 Lui & William Wines Toro Abelis Carthago Lui Selection 87 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  Tasted blind. Nice aroma of dried fruit with some oak and spice. Full bodied and well balanced, although shows significant tannins.

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• 2010 Bodegas Ilurce Graciano Rioja Rio Madre 87 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Tasted Blind. Aromas of dark fruit and jam, very dark in color. Bold flavors of dark berries, plum, bell pepper, and currant. Lighter in mouthfeel than the color would suggest.

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• 2009 Más Que Vinos Tempranillo Ercavio Roble 83 Points

  Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

  Tasted blind. Very weak aromas and lacks much flavor. Slightly too acidic and tannic.

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• 2007 Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Crianza 89 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Tasted blind. Strong aromas of dark fruit and oak. The tannins are noticeable, but in balance. The finish is long but lacks complexity. The runaway favorite of the tasting.

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• 2010 Bodegas Ochoa Navarra Garnacha/Tempranillo 85 Points

  Spain, Navarra

  Tasted blind. Dark ripe fruit aromas. Overly tannic and lacks intensity.

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• 2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 88 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Tasted blind. Aromas of dark and dried fruit. The wine was slightly sweet, with low acidity and moderate tannins. Overall well balanced and smooth, but lacking much distinction.

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The results from the blind tasting - Points (1st place votes) [last place votes]:
1st - 2007 Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Crianza - 23 (5) [1]
2nd - 2010 Bodegas Ilurce Rioja Rio Madre - 34 (2) [0]
2nd - 2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva - 34 (1) [1]
4th - 2001 Bodegas Campillo Rioja Reserva Selecta - 38 (0) [1]
5th - 2008 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Rioja Crianza - 39 (0) [0]
6th - 2010 Bodegas Ochoa Navarra Garnacha Tempranillo - 41 (1) [3]
7th - 2005 Abelis Carthago Toro Lui Selection Crianza - 49 (0) [1]
8th - 2009 Más Que Vinos Tempranillo Ercavio Roble - 56 (0) [2]

Based on level:
Young: 2nd (Tie), 6th, 8th
Crianza: 1st, 5th, 7th
Reserva: 2nd (Tie), 4th

Overall a slight trend towards preferring aged wines.