Tasted: 2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

Appellation: Rioja

Tasting Notes: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Marzuelo.  13.5% ABV.  18 months in barrel, 18 more in bottle.  Color is light violet.  Nose is cherry, pepper, vanilla, spice.  Good cherry fruit.  Elegant mouthfeel, very well balanced, some tar, more fruit on the finish with good tannins and structure.  Will be versatile with food, anything from pizza to grilled meats.  Great value.  I’m a huge Rioja (Reserva) fan, and this is a very good example.

Rating: 4/5

Price: SRP $14

Disclosure:  This bottle was provided to me free of charge by The Thomas Collective.  Not that it matters when it comes to what I think of the wine.

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Reviewed – Villagiachi Chianti 2005

Tenuta Torciano “Villagiachi” Chianti 2005
Tasting Notes : Bottled by, 80% sangiovese, 20% canaiolo nero, 12% vol. Dark violet in the glass. Noticeable oak and cupboard spice on the nose with notes of red and black fruits. The nose is a little tight and too corky, although not “corked” per se. In the mouth there is a medium body, very high acidity, medium tannins, and again the woodiness is displayed a little too strong. This wine is dry but fruity, with flavors of tart and bitter red and black cherries, and dark chocolate coming out on the mid-palate. Overall not a well-balanced wine and the woody-corkiness─reminiscent of a nutshell─lingers throughout.
Rating : 12/20 (82/100)
Price : US$15 @ 4seasons

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