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 
?? ESP; 13%
I had drunk this a couple of times before so had to get some when in Banyoles. Served in 2004 with lots of Italian antipasti meats. Very nice. “Polished” but intense vanilla (American?) oak aromas upfront which give way to red berry fruits, and then to almost a coal-smoke whiff. Balanced fruit, tannin and acidity that have a silky medium-weight feel. Some length. As good as the first time. Justly renowned producer!
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