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...
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.
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.
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Which wines do you drink mostly...?
This Blog is for anyone who believes 'wine-tasting' is merely a prelude to 'wine-drinking...'
Someone once said "the more you know about wine, the more you realise that you don't know." Whoever it was knew their onions, and no doubt their Sauvignons and their Syrahs too. I seem to get through a vast array of different wines and yet I remember precious few, and know little about the rest.
Despite the fact that wine is enjoying a tremendous trend of popularity worldwide, it seems to me that there still exists a psychological chasm of knowledge between the 'experts', who appear to know everything, and pretty much everyone else who believe that they know next to nothing.
As a result, I have decided to hastily scribble down some details before each trip to the bottle bank, perhaps learn something in the process, and contribute in my own small way to bridging that gulf of understanding...
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Please feel free to browse through the posts (see 'Wine Labels' lower down) or add your comments about any of the wines featured - I'd love to know YOUR thoughts too!
