At a recent tasting, I had the pleasure of sampling the younger sibling of this wine, Beronia's Reserva, and found it to be very impressive. The label in this release however, is the next step up and let's just say that 'You are in for a real treat.' In Spain, a gran reserva must spend a minimum of five years in the winery of which two must be in oak casks or barrels. The oak softens the wine and imparts a complexity that simply cannot be replicated in stainless steel. A bodega (Spanish for winery) will only produce a gran reserva in exceptional years and the Beronia Gran Reserva is the product of great care in the cellar from an outstanding vintage. Try this with brazed lamb or pork tenderloin with grilled vegetables.

In its prime and drinking beautifully.
Soft, flavourful and easy drinking.
Great wine from a great vintage year in Rioja. Highly recommend.

The 2001 Beronia Gran Reserva is light to medium bodied, with nicely aromatic notes of integrated red currant/cherry, cedar, coconut and vanilla. The tannins are refined (decant for half an hour or more), the acidity is not balanced (bit acidic) and the finish is long but light. I am a huge fan of the 2005 Beronia reserva (of which I still have almost a case of) and so I expected this wine to be similar, yet better. I find this wine to be too light, not what I expected at this price range. Because of the light body, I think aging is pointless, instead drink now. My impression: still NICE even though I was a bit disappointed, 90 pts and not a recommended buy due to $$, should cost around $20. Tasted Nov/10.

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http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy

Very seamless aromatics; plums, cherries, Moroccan spices, church wood and soft leather. Medium body, with all elements of this wine well balance and integrated; fruit, acidity and tannins. What you get from this wine is elegance, finesse and smooth finish. Ready to drink.