2001 Rioja Reserva

The much less expensive 2001 Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo made in the traditional way with 24 months in used American oak. It is dark ruby-colored with a lovely nose of cedar, cinnamon, tobacco, floral elements, and black currants. The wine is medium-bodied with plenty of ripe plum, black cherry and black berry flavors nicely intertwined with ripe tannins. There is excellent depth and concentration and the finish is long and pure. This is an awesome value in Rioja from a great vintage. For the record, the 2002 Reserva reveals the flaws of that difficult vintage, primarily dilution; the 1998 Gran Reserva was muted, showing more oak than fruit and more structure than flavor, and the 1999 Gran Reserva, while correct, was straightforward and unexciting. Importer: Cornerstone Communications, New York, NY; tel. (212) 605-0371