1996 Rioja Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
Dark red. An oak spice- and vanilla-dominated bouquet of cherry jam, pomegranate, rhubarb and candied licorice is seductive and wonderfully expansive. Fresh and lively on the palate, with the intense cherry flavor accented by musky notes of mocha, licorice, clove and vanilla. Traditional Rioja at its best, offering a compelling combination of intense, sweet fruit; complicating earth and herbal tones; and gentle, silky tannins. Finishes very long, with impressive focus.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Good deep, bright red. Slightly reduced nose opened with aeration to show dark fruits and spices. Then silky, fat and full in the mouth, with sexy, layered flavors of black raspberry and minerals. This offers a wonderfully rich texture and superb fruit. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering notes of Valrhona chocolate and mocha.