Community Tasting Note

• fc1910 wrote: 87 points

  November 20, 2021 - After a long time bought one bottle of this entry level Rioja Reserva to refresh my knowledge of their change of style,
  honestly I really was amazed, no rather horrified to find 14,5% ABV on its label, wtf?
  A very fruit driven nose, basket full of red and black berries, some slightly tobacco and this young barrel aromas,
  on the palate a good underlaying freshness, but too much of overwhelming fruit here.
  Where is the decent elegant play of this Reserva style gone?
  Making really tired and sated, too much of a superficial aroma powerhouse!
  Better with aeration on day two, but really not made for me
  This is nothing but an international red crowd pleaser, no real Rioja for me,
  will be better in about 5+ years, *(*-?), around, 86,87 today

  2 people found this helpful 2,146 views

2 Comments

• Z1nnfull commented:

  12/29/21, 11:28 AM - Been buying this for years and just bought two more. I wouldn't touch them until at least this time next year (EOY 2022, early 2023). This wine will really shine best past 6 years, 7 or 8 even better. Probably coming out of what wine experts call "the dumb phase".

• fc1910 commented:

  12/29/21, 10:01 PM - Hi Zinnfull,
  thank you for your comment!
  Wine and its taste is all about personal preferences,
  
  having said this, I would like to testify, that the 2001 vintage of this Reserva was the very last one in a classic Rioja style,
  since then the bodega increased ABV significantly and switched this one to a more and more international one,
  
  I am lucky enough to be in Spain more often, having visited La Rioja Alta last in 2016.
  Met some very fine dudes from there, writing and commenting on CT too,
  
  so imho this on is very well done, but international and especially cause of its high ABV not really made for me,
  
  wish you a happy New Year and cheers

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