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Specs:
2000 La Rioja Alta "Viña Ardanza" Reserva Rioja
RiojaSpain
13% Alcohol
75% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha
$29.99
Notes:
Rioja, Rioja, Rioja is all I can think about these days; quite a shame I hadn't discovered it's charm until recently. This Rioja validated these sentiments exactly, and is such a great example of why this style of wine is currently at the top of my list. The La Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva is a blend of mainly Tempranillo with one quarter of its juice coming from Garnacha. This blending really adds nice dark fruit character to the ripe red cherry flavors of Tempranillo.
In the glass the wine is medium in intensity with a garnet brick color and some slight rim variation. The age of this wine definitely shows in the glass, however still retains it's youthful glow. On the nose aromas of leather, baking spices, cigar box, red cherry and Cola/Dr. Pepper are all present adding to the rich bouquet. The palate mirrors the aromas in the glass yet adds a more stewed/candied characteristic to the fruit with darker fruits like blackberry and some red raspberry. In the mouth the wine is smooth as silk with the age of this wine really rounding out the tannins. The balance of wood, fruit and acid is impeccable in this wine and adds further to the complex flavors and aromas. The finish is medium in length with candied fruit, vanilla and oak rounding out the end. This is a very special wine for an extremely fair price and I highly recommend scouting this one out.
As far as pairings go, I would suggest beef dishes like carne asada, hamburgers, braised meats like pork and lamb and sauces that contain tomatoes like salsa or a rustic ragu. This wine is available locally at K & L Wine Merchants.
Specs:
2003 López De Heredia Rioja Viña Cubillo Crianza
Rioja
Spain
12.5% Alcohol
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo
$24.99
Notes:
When speaking about Spanish wine the first thing that pops into most peoples minds is the beloved Rioja. The producers of this wine; the Lopez de Heredia family, have been perfecting and crafting these fine wines for hundreds of years. The winery, located in the La Rioja Alta Region of Spain, has high elevations and shorter growing season and tends to produce their wine in the old world style. As far as Rioja goes, I think this is a beautiful presentation of Rioja from an amazing Spanish producer.
In the glass, the color is intense and rich with garnet crimson hues. The aromas are lush and ripe with fruit scents of ripe red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. A nice blend of spices are also present with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and cigar box. There is some nice oak presence on the nose which reflects the 3 years spent in oak barrels. On the palate, the wine is extremely soft and smooth and reflects the age of the wine. The flavors are bright and fresh with the fruit taking the forefront. As discovered on the nose; the cherry, strawberry and raspberry are still present however, hints of tart fruit like cranberry and currant take the stage. The finish is long and velvety in the mouth with a finish of stewed fruits and smokey oak.
Personally, this is one of the better Riojas I have come across, especially in this price range. I definitely suggest seeking this wine out. It is available throughout the Bay Area and can be purchased at K & L Wine Merchants as well as Nectar Wine Lounge in San Francisco. Buy 2 bottles as it is ready to drink now but can also be laid down for another 10 or so years.
