Rioja!
 

***** 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:D 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?).

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

http://www.torres.es/archivos/2_14/Im_2_14_8_PEG_1.jpg

A roadside picture in the area:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...000/torres.jpg

Ian

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

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...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1207511008.jpg

Cheers,

Paul.