Archive for March, 2008

Reserva – Bodegas LAN

Monday, March 31st, 2008

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Gabriella

  • 2001 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
    Gorgeous, brilliant blood red in color with a dark, ruby core. On the nose, this is a big, aromatic showing mint, black licorice and black cherry under a blanket of chocolate and tobacco. Lush and round in the mouth with big firm tannins, good acidity and great structure. Nice, lingering bright, red berry finish followed by quick rush of slate and menthol. I really like the elegance and sensuality of this wine. 4/5
  • Ryan

  • 2001 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
    Dark purplish red color to this wine. THe nose on this is very herbal with green notes, and pencil lead. Underneath this layer of greenish sits a nice rich red fruit layer, that show’s touches of black pepper and mature oak. In the mouth this is a fat wine, with richness and modern stylings. Rich meaty cherry flavors are mingled with green herbs, and some pencil lead notes. Big but fine tannin structure, lends body to this wine, and while it does show more modern leanings the nice spicy underbelly balances it out nicely Good wine that will age. 3.5/5
  • Crianza – Bodegas LAN

    Monday, March 31st, 2008

    Gabriella

  • 2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
    Vibrant red with a hazy light burgundy in color, showing pure, unadulterated candy cherry nose. In the mouth, the wine is very clean, with a well balanced acidity and firm, fine tannins that least to a short, but vibrant finish of again, 100% cherry. Simple and extremely fresh, I can see this wine being drunk with some nice simple brie or grilled white fish. 3/5
  • Ryan

  • 2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
    Nice cherry red color to this with a nose that matches. Vanilla hints are wrapped around light spices, and while simple it is quite pretty. Soft and gentle in the mouth with a lushness, that is welcoming to the palate. Super fine, and very firm tannins coat the tongue with a rich and fresh acidity. Cherry, bing, and light vanilla spice, mingle on this simple but very enoyable wine. 3.5/5
  • Arranz – Argote

    Thursday, March 27th, 2008

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    Address: C/ Mayor Alta nº 43 26370 Navarrete – La Rioja
    Phone:+34 699 04 60 43
    bodega@vinoarar.com
    www.vinoarar.com

    Walking up the narrow medieval streets of Navarrete, it’s impossible to imagine a winery tucked into the narrow stone buildings, but alas, Carlos Jorge Arranz and Daniel Fernández M. – Argote have successfully created the impossible. Christening the bodega after the union of their last names, both Carlos and Daniel have worked tirelessly over the past six years to create both a winery and wine that they be take pride in. “I can offer a critical wine decision, but I can’t give a commercial decision,” says Carlos, the chosen winemaker of the duo. “However, I do use my wife’s nose for extra guidance, because females tend to have a special ability to pick out the finest aromas.” Their one and only wine, ARAR (an even shorter version of their two names), is a blend of all four traditional Rioja varieties that have been taken from their 70-90 year old family vines. Currently producing approximately 4,500 bottles a year, aged for 14 months in French oak barrels derived from various forests and barrel makers. This is what we term a “true family business”!

    Wines Produced: Arar Crianza

    More Articles on Bodegas y Viñedos Arranz – Argote:

    What is the Flavor of Rioja?
    More Tales from La Rioja

    Seleccion Especial – Bodegas Muga

    Thursday, March 27th, 2008

    odegas Muga Seleccion Especial

    Gabriella

  • 2003 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Selección Especial – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/27/2008)
    70 % Tempranillo, 20 % Garnacha, 10 % Mazuelo y Graciano, Clay-Calcareous and Alluvial. This wine is aged for 6 months in wooden vats, 30 months in oak barrels and at least 12 months in bottle. Medium cherry in color with a dark cranberry hue, showing a rich dark red berry nose with the occasional black pepper and coffee adding to the mix. In the mouth, the wine is round and big with fine tannins and bright acidity that lead to a bold dark cherry finish. 4/5
  • Ryan

  • 2003 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Selección Especial – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/14/2008)
    Gorgeous color with a darkness to the core. Toasted notes of coffee, with soy, cherry and a light dusty cobweb quality. Fine thick tannins with a big structure, that frames cherry and chocolate flavors. 3.5/5
  • Ysios

    Thursday, March 27th, 2008

    Bodegas Ysios
    Address: Camino de la Hoya, 01300 Laguardia, Alava
    Telephone: 945 600 640
    ysios@byb.es
    www.domecqbodegas.com/ysios/

    Situated in the heart of Rioja Alvesa, with mountains looming over the space age aluminum roof shaped to mimic the winds upon the vineyards, it is an incredible site to experience. Designed by the famous architect, Santiago Calatrava, the sleek and streamlined winery, similar to that of Marques de Riscal, a masterpiece of a design, yet bold in its placement among the vines. Yet despite its uniqueness, Bodegas Ysios is far from a small family owned winery. It is part of the Bodegas y Bebidas Group, which falls under the Allied Domecq conglomerate. Wines are made by Diego Pinilla and Herve Romat whom have created two wines made only from their 50 hectares of Tempranillo vines aged between 25 and 30 years.

    Wines Produced: Ysios Reserva, Vendimia Seleccionada

    Reserva – Bodegas Ysios

    Thursday, March 27th, 2008

    Bodegas Ysios Reserva

    Gabriella

  • 2002 Ysios Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (4/9/2008)
    100% Tempranillo aged in French and American oak for 14 months. Bouquet full of violets, anyone? Really floral and perfumy nose with nicely integrated dark chocolate aromas. Spicy and bold in the mouth with loads of oak and lacking in acidity. Overall, it’s a nice wine if you enjoy big oaky flavors and tame mouthfeel, but personally, it’s not my cup of tea. 3/5
  • Ryan

  • 2002 Ysios Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/21/2008)
    Deep garnet red in color. Violet nose that shows a richness and black fruit quality while in the back there appears a backdrop of oak that is not forward but seems to support this nice fruit. In the mouth this is a modern wine with rich fruit, framed by creamy vanilla and oak. Fine and firm tannins that do not over power though a lack of acidity that I was hoping would balance this out a bit more. Very approachable flavors of wood, and dark fruits though seems to be lacking in the freshness. Still enjoyable. 3/5
  • Edición Limitada – Bodegas LAN

    Thursday, March 27th, 2008

    Bodegas LAN Edición Limitada

    Gabriella

  • 2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Edición Limitada – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/21/2008)
    85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano. Aged for 5 months in new French oak casks followed by 4 months in new Russian oak barrels. Not clarified or filtrated. Dark cherry in color with subtle violet streaks. Very aromatic spicy nose, showing black licorice, chocolate , charred wood and slate. Round and lush in the mouth, with fine tannins and bright acidity leading to a long menthol and cherry finish. Flavors of soy, tobacco and mineral mix into the finish nicely. 4/5
  • Ryan

  • 2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Edición Limitada – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/21/2008)
    Violet and intense purple color. The nose shows dark aromas of violets, slate and pencil lead. Modern style, with a richness and strong structure from firm tannins. Minerals mingle with black berry, slate and a thin green streak of herbalness down the middle. 3.5/5
  • Riojanas

    Friday, March 21st, 2008

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    Address: Carretera de la Estacion 1-21, 26350 Cenicero, La Rioja
    Phone: +34 941 454 050
    bodega@bodegasriojanas.com
    www.bodegasriojanas.com

    Originally the brainchild of Rafael Carreras Pico in 1890, but upon his death, ownership was taken over by Roman and Fortunato Artacho. Although now managed by extended relatives of the Artacho clan, you can still explore the history of the winery through their spacious Victorian Gothic style museum, which from our experience, is worth your visit. Tall ceilings highlighted in wood, with a beautiful conference room directly in the center, surrounded by glass. Around this glass enclosed conference space are historical artifacts dating back to the inception of the winery. It’s very well done, worth a visit if you’re in the area.

    The winery currently owns 300 hectares of land for which they pride themselves for having the largest percentage of both Manzuelo and Graciano planted in Rioja. From 25,000 casks made from 85% French and 15% American oak, Riojanas produces four and a half million bottles a year of which is primarily sold within Spain. Only 20% of their entire production is exported to the USA, Germany and Switzerland. Riojanas also owns Bodegas Torreduero in D.O. Toro.

    Wines Produced: Gran Albina Vendimia/Reserva, Monte Real Crianza/Reserva/Gran Reserva/Reserva Especial, Vina Albina Blanco Reserva/Blanco Fermentado en Barrica/Blanco Reserva Semi-Dulce/Reserva/Gran Reserva, Puerta Vieja Joven Blanco/Rosado, Canchales Blanco/Tinto/Rosado, Penamonte, Artacho

    More Articles on this Winery:

  • What is the Flavor of Rioja?
  • Miguel Merino

    Friday, March 21st, 2008

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    Address: Lacuesta, La Ventilla 71, haro, La Rioja
    Telephone: +34 941 310 050
    info@miguelmerino.com www.miguelmerino.com

    Founded in 1993 by the pure, unadulterated passion of Miguel Merino Navajas, it wasn’t until 7 years later that the winery’s very first vintage was released. Wines made from old vine Tempranillo and Graciano grapes are planted in bush formation from friend’s Carlos Ibaibarriaga and Jesus Sanmaniego’s nine hectares. The vineyards are located in slopes facing South and South-west with low-yielding clay and calcareous soils, at an altitude of 550 metres. Almost all of them are Tempranillo, supported by a small amount of Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Once elaborated and aged in 365 French, American and Hungarian barrels they are released under the watchful and cautious eye of Miguel, “Wines are like children. You can’t let them go too early or they won’t have the love and support they need”. Currently, 70% of Miguel’s wines are exported around the globe, while 20% are sold nationally.

    Wine Produced: Miguel Merino Reserva, Miguel Merino Gran Reserva, Vitola Reserva, Cantiga, Unnum, Mazuelo

    Additional Articles on Miguel Merino:

    LAN

    Friday, March 21st, 2008

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    Address: Paraje de Buicio s/n, 26360 Fuenmayor, La Rioja
    Phone:+34 941 450 950
    bodegaslan@fer.es
    www.bodegaslan.com

    Founded somewhere between 1970 and 1974 (difference sources cite various dates) by the Elorriaga and Valdes families who named the bodega after the first letter of the three provinces that make up D.O. La Rioja: Logrono, Alava and Navarra. This winery, although rather dull looking on the outside, is sleek and modern on the inside, with a state of the art metal barrel crane that makes NASA technology look rather stone age. 70% of LAN’s vineyards, nestled along the River Ebro, where the Rioja Alta joins Rioja Alavesa, are planted with 40-60 year old vines. The remaining 150 hectares of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Manzuelo are supplied from vineyards in El Cortijo, Fuenmayor and Haro. Their 6,400m2 self-supporting aging cellar, a cathedral to wine, houses 26,000 French, American and Russian oak barrels which are capable of being stacked 14 high! Currently, LAN is producing approximately three million bottles a year, under the winemaking guidance of Buenadventura Lasanta, of which 60% is exported to primarily the USA, Germany and Switzerland.

    Wines Produced: Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, Mencion Reserva, Lanciano, Reserva, Lanciano, Edicion Limitada, Culmen Reserva, Lan 2002

    More Articles on Bodegas LAN:

    What is the Flavor of Rioja?

    Wine Blog Wednesday #35: Valued-Priced Spanish Wines

    The Catavino Rioja Epic Continues!

    More Tales from La Rioja