You just can't buy better value mature red wines than some of these Riojas. Mature gran reserva, where the oak is just perfect for the concentation of fruit. Was 98 a notable vintage ?

About £13.99 sometime ago, yet they have not moved up anything like as fast as this wretched inflation in living costs that is dogging our lives in the UK.

Beautiful everything. Fresh dark and naturally sweet raspberries, very gentle cinnamon and nutmeg spice < just sprinked so lightly> and superb vanilla that is pefectly balanced with the raspberries. Perfect mouth feel, with wonderful length, just goes on and on. Best drunk as an apperatif, so as to savour the beautiful flavours.

There appeared to be some European oak infuence ? As well as the lovely vanilla from the American staves, because the wine was begining to acquire some extra forest floor burgundian dimension, old pine cones and leafmold perhaps. Nice acidity as well, not too soft.

Perfect for me, incredibly fresh for a 13 year old wine



The 1998 label is on pale cream paper, not straw gold.

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Duncan