Crianza Rioja Tempranillo

Nice but unremarkable Rioja for the soft opening of Tapa Tapa in San Elijo Hills.

Rustic fruit and some tertiary flavors coming on the nose - pencil shavings, dried cranberries, violet, and asphalt. Palate is elegant with more dried cranberry, tomato paste, bright acidity and some sweet oak and plummy fruit as it opens up. Not bad for a 7 year old $15 wine.

I didn't like it at first. Re-tasted it a fews days later and it opened up nicely. More fuller-bodied and oaky than I'd expect from a Crianza, although I do appreciate that the bodega waits beyond the required limit to release a more aged than usual Crianza compared to a lot of other bodegas.

Bm+. Tm. Am. Fm.

Beautiful nose, berries with mild tobacco hints

Not swag.

Dried cranberries and pencil shavings

темный вишневый сок, аромат характерный, выраженный, немного чернослива. Суховато, но уместно.

Very smooth, daily drinker. Nice slightly smokey, lots of pitted fruit flavors. A very good Crianza.

Deep red fruit, herbs and chocolate aromas. Integrated tannins, dry, some strawberry on the palate.