Recommendation: Good Rioja that was an excellent value
Winery/Producer: Vincola; Cenicero, Spain.
Grape Variety: Blend: Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Cosecha, Rioja, Spain.
Vintage: 2008
Price: 19.99 euros, about $21.20 (US$) plus a $20 corking fee.
Purchased From: HiperDino Grocery Store; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Paired With: Caesar salad with garlic and parmesan cheese. Lamb chops with pomegranate molasses, grilled polenta and roasted fennel.
Tasting:
He said: Slightly chilled before opening. Clear, dark garnet with a slight dark red rim. Vibrant dark fruit, leather and musty cellar aromas. Strong spicy fruit taste with a long flavorful finish that’s dry with slightly grippy tannins. Nice Rioja that has a great bouquet, quite soft taste for a Rioja and nice lively finish. VERY good with the lamb. Good Rioja that was an excellent value from a department store in the Canary Islands.
She said: Opaque, with a few thin gently moving legs. Intense fruity aroma with similar taste…nothing complex in either. Medium body, very dry, and with gripping tannins. The finish is more about the tannins, dryness and acidity than flavor. Delicious with the lamb with good balance of flavors and enough acidity to deal with the fat in the lamb. The dry tannic finish was just right. Not a great sipping wine but some cheese and crusty bread could turn that around. Very good value considering its smoothness and solid flavor.
Comments: Purchased from a Las Palmas, Gran Canaria grocery store and consumed in the Britannia Restaurant on board the Cunard Queen Mary 2.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bar code: 8 410406 111040
Imported by: NA