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13 Gran Reserva and Reserva Rioja Tasting Wednesday April 9, 2008 Colby Jack Cheese provided by Cabot, the official provider of cheese for TastersGuildNY Speaker: Johnathan Levine, Columnist for the Wine Investor Buyers Guide Spanish Gran Reserva must be aged a minimum of two years in oak barrels and three years in the bottle. Most producers only make a Gran Reserva in excellent vintages. So, generally speaking, Spanish Gran Reservas are well-made, mature wines at relatively low prices. We sampled 13 wines, 8 Gran Reservas, 4 Reservas and 1 Reservas Especial: All the wines showed well and we experienced Rioja at its finest. Prices were found on the web or supplied by the supplier. We asked like or dislike for the white wine, three votes for favorite red. Half the group liked 1988 Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco. 1996 Faustino I Gran Reserva was the favorite for the Faustino flight. 1994 Faustino 1 Gran Reserva was the second favorite for this flight. 1999 Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva was the favorite for the Ramon Bilbao flight. 1996 CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva was the favorite CVNE, 1996 Contino Gran Reserva was the favorite Contino. The cheese was supplied by Cabot.   Flight I: White Votes Full Retail Price $ 1989 Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco Did not arrive for the tasting. 1988 Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco Grape Variety : Viura and Malvasia. Medium yellow gold in the glass, this wine has a tremendously aromatic nose of orange notes, wet stones, In the mouth it has good acidity but with good balance, and strong minerality. It appeared more complex after it warmed up in the glass. Half the group liked it. 11 $39.99 Flight II: Faustino Votes Full Retail Price $ 1995 Faustino de Autor Reserva Especial Grape Variety: Tempranillo. Cloudy. Brown on rim. Big nose, good fruit, not tannic, with long finish. 0 $62.00 1994 Faustino de Autor Reserva Grape Variety: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Greciano. A lean, structured wine of great elegance and finesse. Aromas of leather and vanilla, hints of plum, coffee, earth and pepper. Very long finish. 5 $62.00 1996 Faustino I Gran Reserva New in U. S. Received from distributor. More traditional Rioja. A light Rioja in a frosted bottle. The color is a mix of orange and red, while the palate is red fruits. A lot of alcohol. Higher acidity. Very long finish. The favorite of this flight. 9 $34.00 1994 Faustino 1 Gran Reserva 90% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo. More fruit. Lean, a little oxidized. Long finish. The second favorite of this flight. 7 $49.99 Flight III: Ramon Bilbao Votes Full Retail Price $ 1996 Ramon Bilbao Reserva Big nose, warm spices, plums, cigar leaf and cedar, lush, round. The wine is silky, smooth with good balance. Ramon Bilbao produces wine in a more modern style. 3 $23.00 1999 Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo 5% Graciano. Light color, cedar, spice, oak, in nose, more complex, lighter. Round, juicy. The favorite Ramon Bilbao wine. 14 $38.00 1995 Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva Amber color. Very little nose, less fruit, woody, long finish. 7 N/A Flight IV: CVNE Votes Full Retail Price $ 1996 CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano. Big nose, forward fruit, more complex. Long finish. The favorite of the flight. Classic Rioja. 8 $62.99 1996 CVNE Vina Real Gran Reserva More concentrated. More oak on nose. New oak used. 6 $51.99 1995 CVNE Vina Real Gran Reserva Red cherry and berry fruit, with cedar and espresso notes. More concentrated. More tannin. Long finish. Really beautiful wine. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. 6 $38.00 Flight IV: Contino Votes Full Retail Price $ 1999 Contino Reserva 85% Tempranillo. Plum, berry on nose. Big fruit on palate; Tart red cherry and cranberry nose and flavors. 3years in oak. More forward. Ready to drink now. 7 $42.99 1996 Contino Gran Reserva Low yielding vines. Dense deep color, cloves, tobacco in nose and palate, more complex. Lovely, less fruit. The favorite of this flight. 12 $72.99 Top