Rioja!

[berettafan]

***** i just can't stick to one grape. I REALLY wanted to go through some Pinot Noirs for a while and develop a good idea of what is out there. Got two more in the wine fridge right now even.

However a few days ago i opened a Rioja (Marques De Caseres) and i think i'm off on a Spanish kick now Great with steak btw. Only problem is finding a decent selection locally. I think the biggest shop in the area carries a grand total of 4 riojas.

Very nice red meat friendly wine that isn't too serious (is that a way to describe wine?).

[HardDrive]

Oh baby....the 1993-4 Marques De Caceres riojas were amazing. So tasty.

They are a solid wine house. I pick up a bottle or two every year to see what they are up to.

[vash]

there are two schools of riojas. i like them both. costco has been carrying lots of them lately.


vist argentina. malbecs are a great tasty value.

[Paco Anton]

Glad you like Spanish wines. Next time try "Ribera del Duero". They are comparable to Riojas.

[imcarthur]

Rioja. My secret weapon in wine. I have never had a bottle of Rioja that I didn't like. In my mind, they are consistently the best buy in inexpensive wine.

The 'new' style in wine - big, bold fruit taste à la Parker - has gradually crept in over the last 20 years but the great tempranillo grape can do that well too.

Ian

[berettafan]

Neat stuff eh!

There was at least one Ribera Del Duero at one of the wine shops i hit the other day; i will be sure to buy that next. Saw a few Malbecs as well.

[berettafan]

The Marques De Caseres i had was a Crianza btw; haven't tried the longer aged wines yet.

[imcarthur]

Tasting notes from past riojas that I have enjoyed:

1997 RIOJA RESERVA Marqués de Murrieta
- very ripe fruit taste - give it several more years 2007
1997 RIOJA GRAN RESERVA Marqués de Villamagna
- very good fruit - typical older rioja late 2007
1995 RIOJA GRAN RESERVA Marqués de Riscal
- Light? No way. Big wine with gobs of mature fruit - bold! 2006
1996 RIOJA RESERVA Viňa Herminia
- Very good. Typical reserva.
1998 RIOJA RESERVA Viňa Ijalba
- A little uneven - very good though.
1996 RIOJA RESERVA Bodegas Campillo- Monticello Riserva
- Very good. Starts with fruit & lots of Spanish oak. Yum.
1999 RIOJA Salceda
- nice drinking
1992 RIOJA GRAN RESERVA Marqués De Cáceres
- very nice, good fruit, shy on the oak
1994 RIOJA RESERVA Marqués del Puerto Reserva
- Very good. Fruit & more fruit. Very little oak.
1995 RIOJA RESERVA Ontañon
- Very good. Fruit & lots of Spanish oak. Yummy.
1996 RIOJA RESERVA Bodegas y Vinedos del Marques de Vargas, S.A.
- Very nice - full fruit (would have liked more time?) a lot of oak - old style rioja
1997 RIOJA COSME PALACIO Y HERMANOS Bodegas Palacio
- Very nice - full fruit a lot of oak - old style
1970 RIOJA RESERVA Bodegas Lan
- incredible – great balance of fruit & oak – amazing for a 29 yr old wine

Ian

[berettafan]

Thank you for sharing those Ian. Have you tried anything recent from Lan?

[imcarthur]

No. It seems to be a rare find in North America. I have 2 bottles of their 2003 EDICION LIMITADA in my cellar. I haven't tried it but Spectator called it one of their top 100 for 1996. I'll probably try one in a couple of years.

Riojas are just another reason why I love Spain.

Hey Paco: When can I come visit?

Ian

[berettafan]

Just read good stuff on cellartracker about the '04 Edicion Limitada. I have half an idea that there was a bottle of Rioja marked down at the wine shop the other day and it MIGHT have been that.....

Guess i'm getting lunch from somewhere near that store today!

[imcarthur]

Not a Rioja, but . . . as a treat sometime, pick up a bottle of Mas La Plana from Bodegas Miguel Torres. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Penedès
area of Catalunya, sw of Barcelona.



A roadside picture in the area:



Ian

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by Paco Anton

Glad you like Spanish wines. Next time try "Ribera del Duero". They are comparable to Riojas.

Better than comparable, in many examples I'd argue a bit better.

[Paul K]

I don't know the first thing about wines, but I had some fantastic reds in Mallorca a couple of years ago- and I particularly like this one...



Cheers,

Paul.