by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2010 | Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
R. Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Crianza, Viña Cubillo 2003 The smell of this wine pulls me in – there’s a complex mix spices, leather, stewed cherries and raisins. In the mouth the acidity that I associate with Rioja is evident, making this wine ready to pair...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2010 | Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2002 The nose shows some of the herbaceousness that can be found with Tempranillo along with vanilla and cherries dabbed with brown sugar and baked in a pie. The mouth is bright with cherries and structure, youthful. Yet at the same...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 16, 2009 | Rioja, Spain
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Crianza 2005 Unfortunately the first bottle of this vintage tasted in November ’09 had a little cork taint which suppressed the nose and adding uncharacteristic astringency on the palate. The second bottle tasted in July 2010 was a...
by Ray Johnson | Sep 22, 2009 | Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2001 The nose smells of stewed cherries, evolving nicely, developing complexity. In the mouth, the characteristic acidity is on display, on a plate of suppleness, with leather, olive and cherries – very nice. The fruit is a...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 3, 2009 | Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, La Vendimia 2007 The nose offers minty green character with liquer-like fruit. In the mouth it is quite fruity, a little chewy with a light body and a lingering creaminess. The grapes are approximately Tempranillo and Garnacha....
by Ray Johnson | Jul 18, 2009 | Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
Muga, Rioja DOC, Reserva, Seleccion Especial 2004 There are sweet brown spices, cherry and light earthiness in the nose. The mouth shows structure, with plenty of tannin and acidity, filled out by the cherry fruit to make this a keeper in the cellar – very long...
