Synopsis, Our Opinion: An EXCELLENT grocery store Rioja that’s a real value.
Producer/Winery: Bodegas Campo Viejo; Fuenmayor, Spain.
Grape Variety: Rioja blend – 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garciano and 5% Mazuelo.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Rioja, Spain.
Vintage: 2013
Price: $9.99 (with a 30% mixed 6-pack discount)
Purchased From: Ralph’s Grocery Store; Agoura, Hills, California.
Paired With: Pork chop with apricot sauce, spicy fried cabbage and Basmati (cilantro/lime) rice.
Tasting:
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Note: This year while in California we are reviewing a substantial number of wines sold in grocery stores. This review is one of them. To see all of our grocery store wine reviews look under the keyword “Grocery Store Wines”.
Opened one hour before drinking. Clear, dark ruby color with a light ruby rim. Earthy cherry, raspberry, mushroom and fresh cut oak aromas. Smooth, light, rustic mouthfeel, light to medium body and a 150-grit texture. Tart cherry, ripe raspberry, fresh finely ground pepper and licorice flavors. Lots of bright acidity, soft, very fine grained tannins and a medium-length, bitter and dark chocolate tasting finish. WOW, a nice bargain Rioja…kind of like a diamond in the rough. Excellent paired with the pork and OK sipping without food. It’s not California sweet, but there is lots of warm sunshine in the bottle. If it was a little less fruity I would really be excited. This was not a one dimensional wine and in the end we called it an EXCELLENT grocery store Rioja that’s a real value.
Photo from Bodegas Campo Viejo.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Reconstructed cork.
UPC Code: 8 52832 10481 0
Imported by: Pernod Ricard, New York, New York.