Señorío de Cuzcurrita Rioja Tempranillo

For our next installment of drinking for free in airport lounges, we start with a Rioja. Some spices and earth but not too much on the nose. Medium to medium light bodied with fairly strong tannins. The fruit is there but more in the background. I’m left with a dry mouth.

Found a decent one here...

Update... More than decent. This is an excellent Rioja. We are here in Cartagena, Colombia. Wine lists are very short. Everything is almost 4X USA retail. Even Argentinian and Chilean is way over priced. Whatever... I get it. But, tonight is a great example of where it pays to know or research a tad about wine (which is is about what I know).

Here at Sofitel's highly-rated restaurant, I almost settled for Marches de Caceres, Crianza for 225000 Col. Pesos ($78 USD)--this is plentiful and 13 bucks at home.

Then I see this bottle which I've never had for 270000 pesos ($93 USD). Looked up the reviews (cheated a little there) and much better-- and it carries an average US price of $35. So went with it... Surprisingly, he brings out a 2008, no one orders it I guess. Dynamite bottle.

PS For all of the ladies worried about my analytical table manners.... I decided this all in 35 seconds. I'm a statistician. My wife only knew the wine was awesome.

92+ points

Blackberries, cassis, black cherries, spice, fatty bacon and coffee. Minerality is strong and complex, with stone, graphite, and iron. Acidity is strong. Tannins are too, but also smooth. Interesting and fairly well balanced, though the fruit seems a little less than ideal.

Elegant with poised presence showing aromas of sweet dark fruits, cassis, incense, sous bois, and refrained vanilla. Silky texture with mouth watering flavors of plums, blackberries, espresso on the midpalate, and a long finish with smooth well integrated tannins.

Amazing Roja that I picked up at the wine steward in Pleasanton. Very concentrated with fruit and some nice Earth in the background. Want to pick up some more of this beauty very soon...

Dark fruits, plum, blackberry, vanilla, spice and leather. Smooth, medium + tannins, nicely balanced with a medium finish. Drank with some meat and paired well.

Took a while to open - might not have picked this out as rioja blind. With a lot of air picked up some really nice spice notes. I think this has a ways to go.

Tasted this 13’ about a year ago. The nose shows better this time around, with ripe black fruits, vanilla, fig, iron, and a hint of smoked meat. The lightly candied fruits and vibrant acidity pairs very well with the Sichuan dishes.

A relatively muted nose (slightly improved after 2 hours) conceals a very vibrant palate with lovely red and dark fruit core, with complementary smoke and spices. A bit tart. Will probably need another 5 years to come around, but goof potential.

Wow, frankincense and currant, a heady red.