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! 

Gran Familia White Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: White

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Malvasia, Viura

Alcohol: 12%

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Purchase Price: £4 (ASDA)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – Softly aromatic with hints of fruits and fresh flowers. Fruity and fresh on the dry palate with pleasing citrus notes. White Rioja is a delicious revelation to many wine drinkers. Castillo de Fuenmayor, located near Logroño at the heart of Rioja Alta, uses knowledge and skills passed down through generations together with modern winemaking techniques to make excellent wines widely acclaimed by press and the public alike. The famous vineyards of Rioja Alta are recognised as the finest in the region. The climate of moderate rainfall and long hot summers is perfect for producing high quality wines. The majority of this white Rioja was fermented in stainless steel to help retain the fresh flavours of the Viura and Malvasia grape varieties. 15% of the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 6 months to give body and very light oak flavours.

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Somnambulist's verdict: White Riojas tend to be a bit of a lottery in my experience, but since the Gran Familia Red was such a bargain find, it seemed worthwhile trying the white…and rather pleased that I did. It has a very enticing bouquet, a gentle citrusy mix of grapefruit and mandarin, and a fresh and tangy taste that’s both subtle and full – a bit like sucking on a cube of mandarin jelly (if there is such a thing!). The slight disappointment was the finish. If anyone remembers Parma Violets, they’d recognise that chalky, perfumed flavour in a flash. Nothing that can’t be undone by an olive or two, so don’t let it put you off! Thumbs up to this one…

Gran Familia Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo 90%, Graciano 10%

Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: £4-5 (Asda)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Gran Familia is a classic Rioja red wine in the much-loved smooth, mellow style. It comes from one of the region's very best bodegas. Our winemakers select high quality Tempranillo and Graciano grapes and the wine is matured in our cellars for 8 months to create the perfect balance of luscious fruit and silky tannins. Full-bodied with plenty of meaty, warm, ripe red fruit flavours. Drinking well now, but will improve in your cellar for up to three years.

Somnambulist's verdict: Another great find in the search for value at £5 and under. Everyone who has tried this at the Somnambulistic table has really enjoyed it. A+ for value-for-money.

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 :-)

Marques de Caceres Crianza 2005

Name: Crianza

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2005

Producer: Marques de Caceres

Grape Varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha Tinta & Graciano

Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 7.62 (Carrefour)

Notes:

Maker’s notes – Attractive, bright ruby red colour. Refined bouquet of black cherries and blackberries with a soft touch of aromatic Mediterranean herbs. Lusciously fresh and fruity in the mouth where rich fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries) and notes of cinnamon mingle to give a pleasant fullness with a backbone of silky-smooth tannins. Long-lasting, unctuous finish. A splendid vintage that is velvety-soft and elegant.

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Somnambulist's verdict: No doubt this is a good Rioja but I think the winemaker's notes above are going a bit over the top. The flavours are all there but if anything it's a bit on the arid side of dry. Certainly value for money but think I would spend more and go with the marvellous Reserva or Gran Reserva next time.

Gran Condal Reserva 2003

Name: Gran Condal Reserva

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2003

Producer: Bodegas Rioja Santiago, S.A.

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: EUR 8.99

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Notes:

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Maker’s notes – A red wine with an intense ruby red colour, deep aroma, round and velvety on the palate. Full and balanced aftertaste. Very select. The wine is aged for more than three years, at least one of which is spent in American oak barrels.

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Somnambulist's verdict: Not a bad regular drinking wine, but I didn't find it as 'round and velvety' as the maker claims (a bit edgy if not given a bit of time to breathe). Misses the smooth yet complex combo of my favourite Rioja's.

Sangre de Toro 2006

Name: Sangre de Toro
Colour: Red
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Year: 2006
Producer: Miguel Torres, S.A.
Grape Varieties: Carinena, Garnacha Tinta
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: EUR 6.49

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes: Deep ruby colour with a hint of ochre. Rich complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavours of liquorice and small dark forest fruits (blueberries and blackcurrants).

Somnambulist's verdict: This bottle came with a plastic bull attached, which should have served as a warning. Lesson learned. I would go more for the sour cherries, than "small, dark forest fruits." With the amount of alcohol in it, the opening glass is like liquid... err.. petroleum gas mixed with a bowl of black pepper. Probably ok with food, but you can get a decent Rioja for the same price and they are lightyears apart.

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.

Vina Sol 2007

Name: Vina Sol
Colour: White
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Year: 2007
Producer: Miguel Torres, S.A.
Grape Varieties: Parellada
Alcohol: 11.5%

Purchase Price: ca. EUR 6.00

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Elegant, fresh, fruity aromas with fine spicy hints. Smooth, rich and crisp on the palate, with plenty of fruity flavours (apples and pineapples) and a touch of spice (fennel).

Somnambulist's verdict: Good every day drinking, alone or with light food. Simple but effective.