The nose blends overtly floral, fruity lead aromas with secondary notes of shoe polish and leather, but in the end it’s a little mute. The mouth offers standard plum and berry flavors, while the mouthfeel is chunky and generally quite pure. This is not a thoroughbred, but it’s more than a good plow horse.
— M.S.
(6/1/2008)
On the plus side, there’s a smoky, meaty set of aromas. But on the down side, there’s a rubbery character reminiscent of burnt tire tread. That rubbery element passes through to the flavors, which also bring roasted berry into the fold. Rustic stuff with just enough bold berry fruit to make it worth a go.
— M.S.
(8/1/2010)
Simple, clean and a little bit charming. This is your standard, boilerplate Rioja, and it shows some raspberry, raisin and prune on the palate but also enough acidity and balance to prevent it from coming across heavy. A drink-me-now sort of wine.
— M.S.
(6/1/2008)
Lean, dry raspberry aromas and a slight floral essence carry the nose toward a zesty, semisharp palate with crisp cherry and cranberry flavors. Not bad in a lean, stripped-back way; but there’s no excess oak, weight or sweetness. Lean stuff for old-school palates nursing plates of ham or salami.
— M.S.
(10/1/2008)
Stemmy, brambly raspberry aromas lead to a scouring, light palate of snappy, sharp-tasting red cherry and plum-skin flavors. Lean to the point that it’s almost sour, and overall it’s stretched extremely thin.
— M.S.
(8/1/2010)