Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2005

Name: Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2005

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2005

Producer: Campo Viejo

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Alcohol: 13.5%

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Purchase Price: £9.99 (Sainsburys)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – Aged in barrel for 18 months. This Reserva exudes flavours of warm cinnamon, cigar box and ripe red fruits. An exceptionally smooth wine with hints of spicy oak. Perfect with game stew or roast shoulder of lamb.

Somnambulists verdict:

Campo Viejo seems to be everywhere, and being a bit of a 'brand' wine (with a different bottle for every market niche - a bit like Volkswagen for wine), it's fair to view it with a little apprehension... but let's not get snobby about this. We're at the supermarket end after all, not browsing the carte-des-vins at the Manoir aux Quatres Saisons, where you could exchange a case of this for a bottle of the house wine and probably get some change... (yes, yes, M. Blanc does have impeccable taste...

...click here to read the full review at TheTop100.net! 

Vina Albali Gran Reserva Seleccion Privada 2001

Name: Vina Albali Gran Reserva Seleccion Privada
Colour: Red
Country: Spain
Region: Valdepenas
Year: 2001
Producer: Felix Solis
Grape Varieties: Tempranillo
Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: GBP 5.00 (Tescos, on offer reduced from £10)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Deep ruby-red in colour with amber tones. This mature wine has a complex elegant bouquet with hints of leather and spices. On the palate it is well balanced and expressive, with rounded and polished tannins.

Awards: Viña Albali Gran Reserva Selección Privada 2001

- International Wine and Spirit Competition 2008. Silver Medal “Best in class"

- International Wine Challenge 2008. United Kingdom. Commended

Somnambulist's verdict: Perhaps a shade more refined than the Viña Albali Gran Reserva (although that’s hard to tell without tasting them side-by-side), but at this offer price is fantastic value. Go to your local Tescos and clear the shelves :-)

Vina Albali Gran Reserva 2001

Name: Vina Albali Gran Reserva

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Valdepenas

Year: 2001

Producer: Felix Solis

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo

Alcohol: 13%

Purchase Price: ca. EUR 8

(update 28/4/09 - Asda is offering this at £5 - great value!)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Deep ruby-red in colour with amber tones this wine has complex aromas of dignified wood, vanilla and red fruit. Dry and warm on the palate, the Gran Reserve maintains perfect tannic balance and a pleasant bouquet.

Awards: Viña Albali Gran Reserva 2001

-Wine Style Asia Award. Singapore 2008. Bronze medal

-AWC Vienna 2008. Silver medal

-Magazine “Weinwirtschaft 01 – 2008”, 3rd Best International Brand.

-Wine and Spirit Asia Challenge 2008. Singapore. Bronze Medal

-International Wine and Spirit Competition 2008. United Kingdom. Silver Medal

Somnambulist's verdict: Great with tapas or spicy food.