92
Nicely balanced. Elegant and refined as Rioja's go.
92
Very smooth, with no flaws. So smooth I cannot pick out individual tastes. The only problem is that I could drink this all day. It seems that most of the good values these days are Spanish wines, properly aged at a decent price. Thirty bucks is a lot, but this is worth it.
92
This GR Rioja is just starting to hit its stride. It still displays some vibrancy in colour. Aromas are wet leather, barn, meat, cherry and oak. Similar replays on the palate, with cherries, vanilla, spice and mocha. It's medium to full on the mouthfeel with oak noticable but not dominant. There's alcohol heat (served slightly chilled) and tannins are chalky (decant at least 1/2 hour and they'll lose some traction). A seam of acidity allows for a variety of food pairing, but it sips nicely on its own. Feb. 2014.
91
Lots of layered complexity here - dark fruit, toasted herbs, mint, sweet tobacco, mocha - no one impression overwhelming another. The structure is firm without many edges leading to a great balanced mouthfeel and long finish.
91
Nice sweet nose. Flavours reminded me of cherries jubilee with a touch of mint, some leather. Dense mouthfeel. Still quite youthful. Delicious.
91
A very enjoyable wine. Tasted April 2013.
91
tasted in Florida in March/13 at $13 per bottle, LCBO gouging, dusty, sour cherry, all typical rioja, delish!
91
Tasted October 2013.
90
90
