2008 D.O.Ca Rioja Gran Reserva, La Rioja, Spain

Cool, tightly knit aroma of sour cherries and partly preserved black berries with fine herbal and nutty aromas, a little violet and dried rose petals as well as a little laurel and juniper. Polished, tart, firmly knitted fruit in the mouth, slightly nutty and woody tones, soup herbs and a touch of pepper on the palate, fine sandy tannin, persistent, still young, firm construction, some depth, still little developed, mineral hints and a touch of dried mushrooms, very good finish

Best to drink: 2016-2028+. What our ratings mean