As per Mel's offer page, I have seen Berberana Rioja Reserva 05 and Castillo de San Lorenzo Rioja Reserva 04 both on offer.

Have had the Berberana Carte de Oro which was pleasant
Had a few bottles of San Lorenzo 2001 which were pretty good as I recall

Guess the Berberana is a good buy at 4.66 when buying 3 bottles...
I remeber last time it was on offer there were mixed reviews, altho mostly good

Mel, did you taste either at your recent Tesco tasting ?

Shez,

5/3/2004 I bought:
6 x Castilo San Lorenzo, Rioja Reserva 1998 for £33. The 1988 year was a very good year in Rioja overall, so this should be fine, at a perceived saving of £21 ! over Tesco's in store price.

That clip was lifted from my Outlook files - I do some buying for a good friend.

The CSL 1998 was returned to Tesco. I thought the cinnamon and clove spice was far far too heavy, whilst the fruit was old and stale and over oxidized in the making - no beauty at all, unpleasant in fact. The memory of moth balls springs to mind.

However for 2004 CSL, it is also a good to very good vintage in Rioja. I would not buy from this producer until someone I trust, tells me that more recent vintages have been made well and are good.

Anyone here - Please inform me / us, if you've enjoyed a lovely Rioja Reserva or gran Reserva produced by Castilo San Lorenzo. Things may have changed.

Thank you

_________________
Duncan

I recall buying a case of the Lorenzo 2001, it was a lovely wine, cant find my notes on it unfortunately.

'01 was a very good year for Spain.

Thanks GK - Cheers for that.

_________________
Duncan

I too remeber enjoying the 2001.
In fact, I think it got me back enjoying Rioja reserva at a time my taste for it had started to flag.

Tried the Lorenzo 2004 over the weekend.
Nothing to writ home about I'm afraid:

Lacking any character. A little fruit in the front but a bitterness comes through and hint of vanilla from the oak on the finish.
Tannin a little too heavy.

Disappointing compared to 2001 vintage tried in the past

I've a feeling there might be some bottle variance with this wine but I wouldn't waste yours or my money trying to find out.

Probably best to give this one a swerve

Thanks Shezza, I often put this mouthfeel down to too much oak, and the wood being more M6 Toll embankment than Sherwood Forest.

I have to say it didn't feel or taste too oaky, just not overly good.

I like the vanilla found in some good riojas where decent oak has been used