Super Secret Swirl Wine Deal - 95 Point Rioja!
Beth Ribblett
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| Vineyards in Rioja Alavesa |
95 points - Decanter Magazine calls this 2008 Reserva Rioja "outstanding". Menthol and cola on the nose with classic cedar and leather aromas. Ripe and spicy with concentrated fruit. Deep, rich, fruit-driven, serious juice!
If you drive south from Txakoli, the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa hug the shadow of the mountains to the north and run to the River Ebro in the south. Tempranillo is the king here with the mountains creating a distinct micro-climate by offering some shelter from the Atlantic weather and wind.
For this reserva the grapes are hand selected, coming from vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Soils are a mixture of chalk, sand and clay and the vines used for this have a medium age of 40 years old. The wine is aged in American and French oak barrels for 24 months and further bottle ageing for two years prior to release.
Only at swirl, $21