233. Marqués de Murrieta, Rioja Reserva, 2000

€13; 13%

Helped my mate Gavan retake the Guinness Triathlon individual course record as “fetcher & carrier”, and he chipped me a bottle of this from the winner’s prize case. Worthwhile too – another success from Murrieta. Clear, mid-garnet core and a narrow garnet core. Intense  cherry-fruit focused nose, with a smoky, clove-and-vanilla oak lacing. Well-balanced acidic back bone but notable tannic grip that might soften over 2-4 years? Cherry-vanilla flavour with decent concentration and length. Probably got a year or two to improve in the bottle, but a good Reserva example.