RIOJA VEGA | Rioja | Gran Reserva | 2014
tempranillo | graciano | carignan

RIOJA_VEGA_Rioja_GranReserva_2014

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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 blend from SpainRioja Gran Reserva 2014 by Rioja Vega. Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region, known for its fruity-savory and dusty wines that have the ability to age well for many years. Rioja is one of very few European winemaking regions that uses american oak barrels for ageing. The region itself 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, which is the champion grape of the region. The wine we are reviewing today is a blend of tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo (which is the name of the carignan grape variety in Rioja), with each variety vinified separately before being blended into the final wine. The grapes that were sourced from 30-years old vines, planted on 400m altitude on clay, slit and loam soils, that are rich in pebble stones. Traditionally, the wine has been aged for 36 months in american oak barrels, with another two years in the bottle, before it was deemed ready for release. 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:

RIOJA_VEGA_Rioja_GranReserva_2014_revsight
//Visual
colour: deep & noble garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

compound
//Olfactory

intensity: pronounced & mature
fruit profile: red fruits | black fruits | dried fruits
__red fruits: dried sour cherry | dried cranberry
__black fruits: black cherry | black plum | blackberry
__dried fruits: dried black cherry | dried black plum
fruit character: overripe & dried

//Flavor
non fruit: spice | oak | earth | other
__spice: cloves | peppercorn | nutmeg | anise
__oak: roasted oakwood | tobacco | vanilla
__earth: dust | graphite | clay | loam | slate | granite
__
other: pomegranate skin | hints of mint
primary layer: fruity-earthy

graph
//Palate
sweetness: dry
acidity: high
alcohol: high
tannin: high
__grip: fine
balance: good
__dominant: acidity
body: ample & round | medium+

//Taste
fruit profile: red fruits & dried fruits
fruit character: overripe & dried
non fruit: spice & earth
finish: long
aftertaste: crisp & seedy

rate
//Scoring
RIOJA VEGA | Rioja | Gran Reserva | 2014

variety: tempranillo | graciano | carignan
country: Spain
region: Rioja
rating: 94.7

//Conclusion
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within the next 2-3 years
verdict: great | a must try wine

grapes
//Prediction

predicted RP rating: 91

RIOJA_VEGA_Rioja_GranReserva_2014_rpp_________________________________________________________________________

96x96This is definitely a great wine of Spain and, with a total of 94.7 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 a very noble, round and voluptuous Rioja wine, with a nuanced, fruity-earthy accent on the nose and an ample-velvety palate. The wine is definitely there, at the peak of its development curve, therefore we would recommend to drink it sooner rather than later, preferably within the next 2 or 3 years, in order to enjoy it at its finest, as we firmly believe that it is always better to drink a wine a year too soon than a day too late. On the nose the wine brings a mixture of overripe and dried red & black fruits in the foreground, followed by an appealing, earthy-spicy background and a very noble oaky layer in between the two. On the palate the wine delivers exuberant acidity, fine-grained tannins and just a touch of alcoholic warmth that is showing through on the mouthfeel, which leads to a very pleasant, crisp & seedy aftertaste. All in all, this is a well structured Rioja wine – rich, complex and elegant – a wine that will pair lovely with delicate meats, like for example Tournedos Rossini or a classic fillet mignon steak. Outstanding quality wine. Cheers!

RIOJA_VEGA_Rioja_GranReserva_2014_pro
x_the_colorRIOJA_VEGA_Rioja_GranReserva_2014_vsRiojaMap_________________________________________________________________________
© 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.

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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.

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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.

By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.

In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.

You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.

WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.

By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.

In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.

You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.

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