Prazo de Roriz 2009
£9.99
Douro
36% Tinta Barroca, 31% Tinta Roriz, 10% Tinta Francisca, 9% Touriga Nacional, 9% Touriga Franca, 5% Others
French oak
13.90%
Dark, liquorice and perhaps blackcurrant aroma. Lovely flavours, but the alcohol seems a little high.

Toronegro Mazuelo Shiraz 2010
£6.99
Extremadura
60% Mazuelo, 40% Shiraz
50 % aged in American oak for 5 months barrels
14%
Lovely fruity nose – not oaky at all. Darkly fruity and rather nice.

Corte Mayor Rioja Crianza 2008
£8.99
Rioja Baja
100% Tempranillo
12 months in American oak barrels
13%
A beautiful label. Lovely oak aroma. Mmm. Savoury and perfect.  Made by Baron de Ley, which makes sense.



Muga Reserva Rioja 2007
£14.99
Rioja Alta
70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano & Mazuelo
24 months in 60% French oak barrels and 40% American oak barrels
13.50%
Lovely spicy nose. Quite light in the mouth.  I suppose you could say it’s more elegant than the Corte Mayor, but I love the richness and intensity, and find this a little lite (sic).

CVNE Imperial Reserva  2004
£17.99
Rioja Alta
85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, Mazuelo 5%
24 months in French and American oak barrels
14%
Rich and farmyardy nose. Dark, ripe fruit and some American oak.  Lovely, but I’m still loving the Corte Mayor the most, at about half the price.

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mel

Corte Mayor Rioja Crianza 2008
£8.99

Lets shine a lite (sic) on the pic of the bunch. For Rioja folks.....

Savoury and perfect

Nice label

Don't think Alta Cune will be quite as happy . Great price again for Iberian good'uns.

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Duncan

And now £6.49.

Would love some forum feedback on this one.

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mel

Drat. Bah ! Got one Sunday - full whack.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Just picked up a bottle for £6.49 on offer at my local COOP on route to work.
Will open at the weekend and report back.

Corte Mayor Rioja Crianza 2008
£8.99
Rioja Baja
100% Tempranillo
12 months in American oak barrels
13%
A beautiful label. Lovely oak aroma. Mmm. Savoury and perfect. Made by Baron de Ley, which makes sense.

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He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

Yes. The offer is still running 22/09/12

I opened my Corte Major '08 on Wednesday. I'd picked a load of over ripe rasberries from the garden and decided to scoop some dollops of quality vanilla icecream to go with them - no cream in the fridge.

Crianza is so versatile, so popped the Corte Major to go with a mountain of raspberries, that are too ripe and dark for Mrs D. Lovely, the Amex oak in this rioja was great with the vanilla and the fruit of the crianza added a beautiful dimension to the raspberries.

I left the wine another 2 hours and poored a full glass to open more. I had some creamy cheddar on offer from the Co-Op, the Whycham farm one, not strong actually, but decently mature. Yum with the rioja, just cut slices off the side and sucked the like candy with this rioja.

This crianza is perfect for what it is supposed to be. Perfect balance of oak to fruit, with harmony. exceptional coating in the mouth and a lovely feel and flavour that lasts well. Cant help feeling that the guys making wine for Baron de Ley did their training in Beaune

Went back to the store on Friday and Saturday - the shelves empty.

This is best Crianza.

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Duncan

Some good reviews of this. Still a few left in my local stores

Question for you all: if you had to buy either this or TF Vina Mara reserva 2007 (currently £6 with the 25% off 6 bottles) which would you go for?
I know it's crianza vs reserva but wondered on your opinions

With any luck I've sorted out a job so can hopefully treat myself

I dont rate the Corte Major '08 one bit !! very dull wine with no expression at all.
The Muriel is 10 times better from the CO-OP.

just my thought though.

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He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

First things 1st - Great news about the job - I'm sure all good folks here wish you the very best of luck on this (assumed) final hurdle.

On the Rioja - I dont know the Muriel, it is not *disco'd at the Co-Op at the mo, but has some good reviews. * Otherwise, I would have reviewed it here

On the Corte Major, I should take a few if I were you, You can take a pair or even one ! I like this crianza because of it's balance & harmony, rich flavour, texture, mouth VG, & crianza nose is good too. Serve it right to get the most out of it - as U Know

Of the Vina Mara TF '07, I know the '06, very nice. This is a Reserva so technically, six months more time in oak before bottling, this VM may have a darker colour and more structure - as U proabably know. Wizz says '07 is good, so bag a few in the store, you don't have to have 6 ! You'll have to pick up some other stuff to get 25% off, but don't buy the Invivo MSB - not after the beautiful Vavasour '09 or Goldwater 9/10 at £7.99, or JE 10/11 for that matter.

The two riojas are different wines for different times. To say one is better than another is not helping you. Both will keep for a while. When open, the Corte Major is best over 24 -30 hours or so - not 3 days ! Vina Aquia 08 at Majestic is good at £5.99, best on the day though, if that influences your choice.

I'm always looking for pleasure with some elegance. You know me. After that Invivo, an affordable Sauternes or Vouvray demi-sec could lift me cheers.

Hope that helps.

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Duncan

Good luck with the job Shez.
I've got one of each in my little search for a red that I can get on with.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.