The 2001 Heredad De Baroja Gran Reserva is a medium bodied, aged wine, with intense aromas of cherry, pomegranate, leather, pine and oak on the nose and dried red berries, leather and vanilla on the palate. It is bit acidic, has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a long finish. Drink now -2017. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - excellent 11 year old Rioja for great price - recommended buy. Tasted May/12.

If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

What a contrast with the Australian fruit bomb I had last night, which, by the way, was very good. Even the reviewers here do not have much to say about fruit. For me, this wine is all about feel. A silky smooth beginning, followed by a complex and slightly hot middle. Then a long but subtle finish.

I would not introduce my country cousin to wine with this, but I find this wine to be a pleasant adventure.

Oh me oh my. 12 year old beauty Rioja here. Like Hugh Hefner BBQing Portobello's at the mansion. It mature, smells like cooked mushrooms and cherry lipstck, and its silky smooth like his pyjamas. Before diving into the Grotto, grab a bottle of this to share with the May bunny.