Recommendation: A GREAT Rioja Reserva and an excellent value at $20.
Winery/Producer: Bodegas Casado Morales; Lapuebla De Labarca, Spain.
Grape Variety: Rioja blend: 60% Tempranillo and 40% Graciano.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Rioja, Spain.
Vintage: 2005
Price: $20.00 (with a 20% discount)
Purchased From: Total Wine; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Paired With: Eggplant and peppers with roasted tomato sauce; salad of assorted greens with artisan olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Tasting:
He said: Opened 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, Very dark brownish purple color that’s so dark it’s opaque. The rim is close to a brick red color. Powerful dark fruit (cherry and plum), damp leather and hints of smoke in the aroma. INTENSE, but very, very smooth, dry fruity taste that finishes with a long mouth-puckering finish that has LOTS of depth. GREAT Rioja that’s been at the back of the cellar for a long time. The distinct character and tastes really make this wine special even though the body was medium, at best. Excellent with the meal and equally good sipping alone. A GREAT Rioja Reserva and an excellent value at $20.
She said: Very dark purple red color with brown ring. Thin, slow moving legs. Heavenly! Can I say more? I love Riojas in general, reserves even better, but this is an outstanding beauty. I hardly had the glass up to my nose when I decided it was a great wine experience. The aroma was knock down drag out great with its strong dark fruit scents. The flavors that followed were equally enjoyable and were complemented by medium body, dryness, and luscious tannins. The wine was so good I never wanted to stop drinking it. I begged Ray to buy a case but of course he didn’t (on general principal because then we can’t keep sampling new wines; I caved because the wine cellar is already bursting at the seems). This was smooth, delicious Rioja and I recommend it as a value wine even at this price.
Comments:
Alcohol: 13.8%
Bar code: 8 30293 00399 6
Imported by: Saranty Imports; White Plains, New York.