Rioja, Spain
A perennial newsletter favorite, the great Olabarri estate is back with a masterpiece of a traditional Rioja Reserva. Opaque black cherry in the glass, Viña Olabarri’s 2015 Reserva unfurls with a classic Rioja nose of black plums, spicy cherries, cigar tobacco, vanilla, and salty minerals. Lush on the palate, this traditional Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano blend offers lip-smacking wild cherry and tart plum fruit complemented by hints of tobacco, button mushrooms, limestone soil, and classic Rioja barrel notes. Firm, food-friendly tannins emerge on the back palate to segue Olabarri’s Reserva to its impressively complex finish, featuring suggestions of cinnamon, sarsaparilla, and sandalwood. After two years in barrel and another year in bottle, this beauty is ready for your table served with meat tapas, grilled lamb, roast beef, burgers, vegetarian lasagna, and patatas bravas. While this Reserva is superb now, it has the structure and stuffing to age effortlessly for another decade or more. Superb!
An April 2020 newsletter selection
