Avinyo Brut Reserva Cava 2021
Brilliant, light straw color with a fine bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of quince, wet stones, and white peach with supporting notes of citrus zest and brioche. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of lemon, mineral, apricot stone, and toasted bread. The finish is crisp and refreshing. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $22 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Urbión Reserva Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, forest floor, and violet with supporting notes of cassis, anise, slate, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, lavender, and bramble. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $24 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Señorío de Villarrica Reserva Rioja 2018
Brilliant, deep scarlet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, lavender, black tea, and clove with supporting notes of forest floor, graphite, rosemary, and cassis. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, boysenberry, fennel, and thyme. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins and a firm minerality. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. Made with 100% Tempranillo. $40 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Conde Valdemar Crianza Rioja 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, dried herbs, and black tea with supporting notes of blackberry, toasted coconut, elderberry, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, forest floor, vanilla bean, anise, and baking spices. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Conde Valdemar Reserva Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep garnet/cherry color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of dried fruits, black tea, and cigar box with supporting notes of cassis, baking spices, dark cocoa, and slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, elderberry, toffee, truffle, and hints of tamarind. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Ostatu Rosado Rioja 2023
Brilliant, medium salmon color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry and cranberry with supporting notes of spring flowers, orange peel, and slate. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of red plum, strawberry, sour red cherry, and citrus zest. The finish is long and ultimately crisp. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 27% Garnacha, and 3% Viura. $21 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Bodegas Olivares Hoya de Santa Ana Rosado Garnacha Jumilla 2023
Brilliant, pale salmon color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of strawberry and kumquat with supporting notes of mineral and apricot stone. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of red plum, raspberry, and orange peel. The finish is long. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $13 – 4 Stars – 90 points
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Selección Especial Rioja 2015
Brilliant, deep crimson color and garnet edges. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, earth, and black tea with supporting notes of blackberry, cigar box, and cedar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, baking spices, cranberry, and black cherry. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $99 – 5 Stars – 99 points
Lagar de Cervera Albariño Rias Baixas 2022
Brilliant, light green/gold color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of white peach and green melon with supporting notes of wet stones, citrus zest, and hints of pear. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of green apple, apricot stone, chamomile, and sea salt. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $25 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Caracol Serrano Tinto Jumilla 2016
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum and boysenberry with supporting notes of mocha, bramble, and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, five spice, earth, and cassis. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. Made with a blend of 55% Monastrell, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. $9.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
