Vino: Marques de Riscal Rioja

(It's Monday... time to get your votes in on the wine. We enjoyed it over a charcuterie lunch spread this weekend - girls' weekend in the country - everyone loved it, even the cornichons liked being paired with it. And you...?)

23.02.Rioja.jpg Name: 2000 Marques de Riscal Rioja Riserva
Grape: Tempranillo Based Blend
Region: Rioja
Price: $13.99 to $15.99
Stores: Wine House (2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles), Beacon Wines & Spirits, (2120 Broadway), K& D Wines & Spirits (1366 Madison Avenue), Sherry Lehmann (679 Madison Avenue), Union Square Wines & Spirits (33 Union Square), America’s Wine Shop (398 3rd Ave) and Soho Wines & Spirits (461 W Broadway)

Our homework this week was not inspired by Wednesday's New York Times article, that was purely a coincidence. Rather the suggestion stemmed from the desire to find something interesting and available on both coasts.

Marques de Riscal is an older winery, founded in the 1850's, that breaks many current day Spanish traditions. Between hiring Rioja should have dark, ripe concentrated fruit with some Christmas spice: cinnamon and nutmeg. There is a chance that it may show some aged characteristics: browning around the edges, and a sherry-like taste, these flavors will be an indication of an old world Rioja style. Rioja shines when paired with smoked meats, salty foods like Boquerones and cheese; although it would also pair well with our theme of meat based winter soups.

Comments (4)

This Rioja is one of my favorites. WE've been drinking it for some time now. I think if you pick up a 98, if you can find it, you'll be thrilled to drink it that evening. 2000 or later, set it aside. It's drinkable, but the MdR Rioja is a keeper for a few years, and really has the strength to grow a bit in the bottle.

posted by rachel on 2006-02-23 16:10:15

This has been my favorite red wine for years. Highly recommended.

posted by paul on 2006-02-23 16:56:56

Thank you for your recommendation. Just tried it tonight, and it is wonderful! Got it at Whole Foods, for about $18. Money well spent!

Thanks,
Olya

posted by Olya on 2006-02-27 10:38:40

I opened my bottle with six friends and we all found the wine to be delicious; in fact I don't think a single person disliked it. The traditionalist in me questioned the heavy use of oak, but this is probably just an adolescent trait that will evolve in a few years.

posted by jenny on 2006-02-27 11:36:56