Rioja wine

Hello everybody,


do you like Rioja wine? I'm from La Rioja and I work in a winery so I'm curious if you know our wines, which kind/brands do you know or if you're interested in trying it!

Yes Luz, in fact I love Rioja wines. The wines of La Rioja are favorites of mine as I prefer traditional styled Riojas. The La Rioja wines in my cellar that I most look forward to enjoying soon include the 1970 Gran Reserva 890, the 1973 Reserva 904, and the 2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial.

Back in the 80's I purchased about a case and a half of the 904 and maybe 8 bottles of the 890. I have been enjoying them on occasion over the ensuing years, usually paired with grilled chicken, and they have never disappointed!

I can only imagine what treasures are hidden away in the La Riojo cellars!

I too love the sorts of Rioja for which Tom V has affection. I include some 25+ year old GRs from Imperial and Viña Real amongst my most treasured wine memories as well as, from more modern producers, Contino GR and Reserva from vintages in the 90s. However, I have had some pretty horrible Rioja trophy wines made in an over-extracted and over-oaked style, some of which earn scores in the high 90s from WA and WS, as well as some pretty nasty commercial brands like Banda Azul.

That last sentence in Tim's post pretty much nails a Rioja I had for Thanksgiving, the 2004 Casado Morales GR. This wine from the Rioja Alavesa was perfectly sound but very simple with tart cherry flavors and nose and nothing else. Given that it was a Parker 94, I was very disappointed. Maybe I should give up on Riojas.

[David M. Bueker]

That last sentence in Tim's post pretty much nails a Rioja I had for Thanksgiving, the 2004 Casado Morales GR. This wine from the Rioja Alavesa was perfectly sound but very simple with tart cherry flavors and nose and nothing else. Given that it was a Parker 94, I was very disappointed. Maybe I should give up on Riojas.

No. Don't give up. There are still wines with more complex flavors that have not gone the goop route.

I am mostly familiar with La Rioja Alta, Heredad de Baroja, and C.U.N.E. wines. I like wines from all these producers. I also enjoy some Muga wines including the Rosado and some Marques de Caceres wines. I don't like the wines to show heavily on the oak.

+1 re what JC said , have enjoyed a number of those wines. am also not a fan of drinking splinters..