Community Tasting Note

• ajbergren wrote: 89 points

  June 8, 2019 - Very dark red shade with medium plus to high optical density and high reflectivity. Aromas are medium minus intensity, with a nice array of dark fruits (plum, berries), oak spices, and some lighter aromatic earth. Some celery seed and and hint of light, sweet petrol swirl around each other in the background. The palate is full bodied and medium plus in acidity, with an inviting broad and polished texture with firm but yielding tannins. Surprisingly supple and easy going. Flavours of brighter fruits on the attack, with some dark cherry and cranberry leading off into a juicy midpalate that has tart cranberry continuing and some warm blackberries with oak-spices supporting (light vanilla, dill, and cream soda). Things then turn toward a touch of petrol and green tobacco leaf at the finish, which shows warm, tart fruit and light tobacco smoke with medium length. Intensity of flavours are medium to high, and complexity is medium to low, but nice depth on both, really.
  
  This is a nice wine that is drinking very nicely at the moment. Easy to like, and a pretty classic Rioja that gives a sense of character and control. Oaked very pleasantly, showing plenty of American Oak character but yet not in such a way that it distracts. Just softens the texture and provides a bit of creaminess that makes it easy to approach. This would be a crowd-pleasing big, robust, bright, and yet softer-than-expected red, and is a really fun wine to drink. I would think this could be cellared for a few years, but no reason to wait- ready to go!

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