Tempranillo blend

On the recommendation of the Guía Peñin mini-guide (a great idea for anyone thinking of doing a wine score guide, by the way!). I …

Doesn’t leave much room for comment, which is a pity. Much more satisfying than the Cáceres alongside! Good quality, well-balanced Gran Reserva. Light-medium garnet …

Oh, now this is good!! From opening the bottle and pouring, showed a really intense nose – initially almost perfumed like roses or violets …

Medium-light garnet core fading out to a distinctly brick rim. Didn’t decant this Gran Reserva, so bouquet development happened in the glass: from a …

Bloody label… Light-medium intensity garnet colour with mid-brick rim. I first feared corking, with slightly astringent rubbery notes. These then gave way to simple …

…which had a similar colour profile, but the bouquet was a softer, better blended, more toasty, coffee-like oak and spice profile. Residual red fruit …

Bugger of a label. Pretty nice Gran Reserva, that was certainly ready to drink. Medium garnet core with browning rim. Slightly “varnishy” oak over …

Not a big-name Rioja in UK at all, but bought in Madrid airport on the recommendation of the “Guia Penin”, the Spanish equivalent of …

Bought in Spain, using my new copy of the Guia Penin – a cross between the detail of the Guide Hachette des Vins for …

Surprising lack of depth / concentration for a 1996 Rioja. Especially for a Reserva. Nevertheless quite enjoyable. Garnet colour. Slightly toasty notes over cassis …