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SKU 993113
$16.97/bottle
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Excellent, benchmark-quality Rioja crianza that shows the spicy side of the vintage. Peppery, juicy and bright, with a medium body and a nice chew of fine-grained tannins. Quite long. A smart buy. Drink or hold.
There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.
Country
Spain
Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.
Region
La Rioja
La Rioja is by far the most famous wine region of Spain, and remains one of the world's great wine producing regions, consistently offering deep, complex red wines of character and distinction, partly due to the fact that La Rioja benefits from excellent soils, rich in minerals and nutrients, and plenty of sunshine. The climatic conditions allow the fine grape varietals to reach full ripeness and express plenty of the best features of their terroir, making La Rioja wines some of the most interesting to have ever come out of Europe. The Cantabrian mountains to the north provide the perfect shelter from the colder, wetter influences of the Atlantic oceans, and in the beloved vineyards of La Rioja, wineries have been cultivating exceedingly flavorful Tempranillo grapes for generations for the inclusion in their fine single variety and blended wines.
Appellation
Rioja
Rioja, a renowned wine appellation in Spain, stands as an emblem of the country's winemaking heritage and innovation. What makes Rioja unique is its commitment to blending traditional and modern winemaking methods. Primarily crafted from Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo as supporting players, Rioja wines showcase a remarkable balance of fruit, oak, and complex aging.
Rioja's classification system, featuring Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, delineates the aging periods, highlighting the region's dedication to quality. The use of American oak barrels imparts distinctive vanilla and coconut notes, contributing to Rioja's recognizable profile. The diverse terroir, from the high-altitude vineyards of Rioja Alta to the warmer Rioja Baja, adds depth and complexity to the wines.
Exploring Rioja allows enthusiasts to savor the rich tapestry of Spanish winemaking, where historic bodegas coexist with modern practices, resulting in wines that seamlessly marry tradition and innovation, offering a glimpse into the soul of Spanish viticulture.
JS93pts
James Suckling
Excellent, benchmark-quality Rioja crianza that shows the spicy side of the vintage. Peppery, juicy and bright, with a medium body and a nice chew of fine-grained tannins. Quite long. A smart buy. Drink or hold.
JD92pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano in the 2021 Vina Real Crianza are grown only in Rioja Alavesa from the winery’s own vines, with the intent of showcasing the area. Fresh, lively acidity balances dusty tannins and full-bodied berry fruit, the oak well-integrated in the background. Age 10-12 years.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
The 2021 Viña Real Crianza was produced with 90% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from Rioja Alavesa. It matured in French and American oak barrels for 13 to 14 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.6 and is polished and easy to understand. All the younger reds have some common aromatic notes reminiscent of honey and beeswax, aromatic herbs and berries. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins. 650,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2024.
DC91pts
Decanter
Intense and fragrant, with notes of red berries, violets, sweet spices and cedar wood. Dry and savoury style, polished tannins. (Silver) - DWWA 2024
WS89pts
Wine Spectator
Well-balanced and very drinkable, with a bright juiciness to the mix of blackberry, cassis and black fig fruit. Light, supple tannins provide definition for the core fruit flavors, while notes of caraway seed, smoke and medicinal herbs linger on the finish. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now. 750,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported.
Winery Notes
Bright ruby-red. Cherry, redcurrant, tobacco and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Deep, sappy, open-knit red and dark berry flavors pick up floral pastille and smoke nuances with air. Finishes broad and smooth, with slow-mounting spiciness and gentle tannins. Quite elegant for the vintage and drinking nicely right now.
