BERONIA | Rioja | Reserva | 2015
tempranillo | graciano | carignan

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The wine we are going to review today is one that we’ve patiently kept in the queue for quite some time, as this is a genuine Rioja wine from Spain – Rioja Reserva 2015 by Bodegas Beronia. Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region, found in north-central Spain and known for its savory and dusty wines, that have the ability to age well. Rioja is one of very few European winemaking regions that enlists the use of american oak barrels and is moderated by the Sierra Cantabria – a small but jagged mountain range that stops clouds from coming into the Rioja valley. The wines of Rioja are based mainly on the tempranillo grape variety and the wine we are reviewing today is a blend of 95% tempranillo, 4% graciano and 1% mazuelo (which is the name of the carignan grape variety in Rioja). This particular wine has been aged for 36 months in different barriques (made from french and american oak) and another 3 years in the bottle. But enough theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep & noble ruby color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: powerful & mature
fruit profile: black fruits
__black fruits: black cherry | black plum | blackcurrant | blackberry | dried black plum | dried black cherry
fruit character: overripe & dried

//Flavor
non fruit: spice & oak
__spice: black pepper | cloves | nutmeg | anise
__oak: coconut | roasted oakwood | sun-dried oakwood | tobacco | hints of mint
primary layer: fruit & oak

//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: high
tannin: high
__grip: ripe
balance: good
__dominant: acidity
body: round & voluptuous | full body

//Taste
fruit profile: black fruits
fruit character: ripe & overripe
non fruit: spice & oak
finish: long
aftertaste: ripe & tart

//Scoring
BERONIA | Rioja | Reserva | 2015
variety: tempranillo | graciano | carignan
country: Spain
region: Rioja
rating: 93.6

//Conclusion
maturity: in its prime | drink now or age for 3 to 5 years
verdict: great | a must try wine
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This is definitely a great wine of Spain and, with a total of 93.6 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Verdict: this is an outstanding Rioja wine: round, complex and voluptuous – a wine that has already reached the summit of its prime form, yet one that can withstand up to 5 more years of bottle ageing. It tastes rich, noble and velvety, as it feels lean, with mouth-watering acidity, ripe tannins and just a touch of alcoholic warmth showing through on the mouthfeel. On the nose the wine delivers overripe and dried black fruits to the foreground, supported by a very appealing, spicy-oaky background, with hints of mint and tobacco in between. This is a very well structured and harmonious wine that feels plump and very appealing – a classic Rioja that would match up well with meaty dishes rich in natural softness, like for example an extra rare filet mignon steak. We’ve promised not to mention the price factor in our review, but we cannot keep that promise today, as this wine has one of the best price/quality ratio on the market. Cheers!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.