The 2000 offering (at a standard price of about £10) was superb. The 2001 at £13.49 a bottle is poor.

It transpires that the 2001 isn't from the same producer, Vina Mara is Tesco's made up label.

Personally I don't care what Tesco do with producers and labels as long as the contents are good. However it's a bit rich to charge more for the latest vintage and "discount" it down to last year's price in the knowledge that it's an inferior parcel.

Becoming increasingly disappointed at the number of seemingly sham offers from Tesco. Finest is wearing a bit thin.

Regardless of the producer, Tesco have jacked-up the price for the 2001, because it is arguably the best recent vintage for mature Rioja.

What does that tell you ? I knew Vina Maria was a brand of theirs, I did not know that the producer of this wine has changed.

Wizz - Well spotted and reported here.

As you say, rioja gran reserva in the Vina Maria labelled bottle has been respectable for the dosh in the past. If you are returning it to Tesco, you could try the Berberana gran reserva 2001 for £8.25 (being retail less 25%) and let us know what you think - you'll get some change as well.

Berberana was bought out by the giant Ramasa SA some time ago, I'm informed that they have been moving stock again to bring in cash flow, so in theory, Berberana is cheap at the mo ...... and before Tesco played with the price.

Don't buy that San Lorenzo, unless you want liquidised moth balls with saturated black oak stumps.

Campo Viejo GR on the silver label is good stuff, but you won't find the 2001 in Tesco at this money, and I dont know the 2003.

Bodegas, La Rioja Alta 'Vina Ardanza' rerserva 2000 in the burgundy shaped bottle was seen in Majestic not that long ago for ** £14 - 15 quid. I have a few They may still have some in odd corners of the country. Now, that is a good wine to start with, if you are looking for more recently styled rich and velvety rioja with balanced oak and correct acidity. Probably not on their web site, but you can ask them to look it up, and see.

** Errr- sorry, BBR want £21 for it today. Call Majestic - you never know your luck.

_________________
Duncan

Too late - have just followed MedocMad's advice and purchased six Castillo de Montearagon Gran Reserva 2002. By all accounts a poor vintage but the grenache in this seems to have come through ok and at £4.87 it's cracking value.

This is another made up label that no doubt will be twice the price and half as good next year.

thanks for the warning -I had been thinking of purchasing this - I was aware that it was the 2001 not the 2000 (reviews of which are quoted on the their website against this wine) but not the drop in quality.

Wizzy,

glad you enjoyed it for sub £5.00.
I was lucky to find two 2001 at the back of the shelf !!

Richard

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