Rioja

Picked up from work as a thank you from the FD. Overall a bit indifferent – probably OK on a hot day, but I’d …

The last of Otters’ contribution to Christmas 2005, and a ripe Rioja from a producer I’d not come across before. Similar quality to the …

Helped my mate Gavan retake the Guinness Triathlon individual course record as “fetcher & carrier”, and he chipped me a bottle of this from …

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 …

Neophysics: n. the scientific process of being a neophyte OK, so I invented a word. It came to me during my first experience of …

…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 …