Klein Constantia: stellar whites, sweet and dry 
Marqués de Riscal: Gehry hotel outshining solid Rioja and Rueda 
La Rioja Alta: benchmark classical Riojas especially top flight Gran Reservas 
Marqués de Murrieta: Rioja aristocracy built around Castillo Ygay 
CVNE: Combining volume and classical quality 
Contino: Château-style Rioja and Graciano pioneers 
£5.20; 13%
At last, a half-way decent wine from Laithwaites. Dark plum colour. Rich and warm aromas of dark fruit (blackberry?) coupled with coffee / mocha warmth. Gently spicy, fruity flavours. Smooth, pleasant drinking – although missing something on the mid-palate and perhaps a little too acidic – accentuated if served too cool. Definitely enjoyable at room temperature. Pleasantly accentuates fruit and coffee side of Syrah, vs. …
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