Vina Eguia, Rioja Reserva 2005 £9.99 Majestic
Astonishing smell. Wow! There's something like toasted marshmallow in there. Carried through to the palate - a lot of vanilla. Very attractive. Long aftertaste. £5.99 on offer is a ridiculous price.

I completely echo Mel, and now on the 2006 vintage. This is still £5.99 for multiples.

The wine is fresh, quite light bodied for a reserva, deep ruby, and has a very lovely flavour, and is a nicely balanced wine, fruit to oak (american and french). The freshness is exceptional, the Wow factor, and I like the wine best, striaight off the blocks. Airing the wine, does not enhance the satisfaction level for me, and introduces a degree of flabiness, the bouquet is super for this sort of money. If we get any sun this year (think hot patio) you could serve this wine slightly cooler than normal to good effect.

Good stuff. The winemakers at Bodegas Eguia know what they're doing.

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Duncan

Not so astonishing at the end of day 2. Still good though.

Drink this as you would real ale.

Find two soul mates who like rioja. Put three large claret glasses on the table. Pour the whole bottle into the three vessels, if they are biggies, sniff, and start supping.

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Duncan