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Rioja: Classic vs Modern
Riga
Tasted April 11, 2014 by AV2012 with 806 views
Introduction
Classic vs Modern vs Terroir was the theme of this Rioja tasting.
CVNE Imperial, Rioja Alta and Muga Prado Enea as Classic. Artadi, Roda and Torre Muga as Modern. Contino and Remelluri as Terroir.
Flight 1 (3 notes)
Red
1982 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva
90 points
Aroma of wilted autumn flowers, dried roses, dried berries, a touch of barnyard, acidity can be felt already on the nose. With time the nose develops into a beautiful honey aromas and gets more balanced. Quite high acidity on the palate, mushrooms, medium light body. A good example of classic traditional Rioja.
Red
1982 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Reserva
91 points
Sharper, more intense nose than CVNE Imperial GR '82. Similar to Contino '81 - smoke, smoked meat, sweet cranberries. With time it beautifully developed into hot leather aromas, also honey, honeycomb, light pickle juice. A bit sweeter than Imperial, more berries, interesting note of tomato juice on the palate. Very long finish.
Red
1994 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga
88 points
Spicy nose, some slight barnyard. Nose doesn't last long, fades away with time. Palate of sweet cherries, plums, spices, may be some tomato leaves. Quite good.
Flight 2 (3 notes)
Red
2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904
94 points
Superb, just as before. Best of the both worlds (modern and classic).
Rich, balanced, silky palate with vanilla, dill, pickle juice, cumin and hay nose.
This was voted #1 by the group in the tasting.
Rich, balanced, silky palate with vanilla, dill, pickle juice, cumin and hay nose.
This was voted #1 by the group in the tasting.
3 people found this helpful
Comments (3)
Red
2005 La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Gran Reserva
89 points
Intense, purple ruby red colour, some sediment.
Intense nose, vanilla, rich, peppermint, fennel, blackberries, spices, cardamon. Quite edgy and pungent on the palate.
Intense nose, vanilla, rich, peppermint, fennel, blackberries, spices, cardamon. Quite edgy and pungent on the palate.
Red
2006 Bodegas Roda Rioja Roda I Reserva
92 points
Very rich and concentrated nose. Vanilla, tannin, dark berries, skim from jam, highly extracted. Aronia, dark cherries, some wood, hay. Palate surprisingly suave, even creamy, very good balance for such an extracted wine. A pleasant surprise given the nose of a potentially boring fruit bomb.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
Red
2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea
91 points
Timid nose, comparing it to Roda or Artadi. Very well balanced, silky, a bit sweet but dry, some classic pepper, blackberry jam, nicy. A good example of traditional Rioja. There must be a place for these wines.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2006 Artadi Rioja Pagos Viejos
89 points
Very open, fruity, strong black cherries, concentrated, tannic, some smoke and cumin. This was one of the best of modern Riojas. Really good quality and not without a sense of place.
Closing
Group vote was as follows:
1. Rioja Alta GR 904 2001
2. Artadi
3. Torre Muga
4-5 Imperial and Contino
All wines showed really well on this night, no weak spots.