This wine was a pretty nice wine, one of the last of the big Wine Source purchases, and we enjoyed it with dinner (despite the fact that we didn't exactly pair it well). Made by MatÃas Calleja, it is an 84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Graciano blend aged in mixed-oak barrels. As an 87-point wine on the Wine Spectator scale, this wine came recommended by several different wine blogs as a good example of a classic-but-modern Rioja style wine. Verdict: A bright ruby wine, the nose was a delightful blend of red and black fruits with a hint of vanilla and some bright spice (maybe a white pepper?). On the palate, the vanilla is more vivid, no doubt a nod to the time it spent in mixed-oak barrels (vanilla from the American oak, spice from the French oak), but is predominantly fruity, a delicious blend of cherries and blackcurrants (and maybe some plums?). The tannins in this wine are a little edgy, but the texture is still fairly smooth and the finish is long with a wisp of vanilla right at the end.
Pairing: This type of Rioja (Crianza, specifically), is a great "dinner party wine" - it goes well with fish, lamb, beef, pasta ... pretty much everything but chicken (which is, of course, what we had for dinner!). Because this wine was a little heavier-bodied, it would be best enjoyed with a meatier dinner (a lighter Rioja would be better for fish or pasta, although this one still would be great with the right sauce and/or seasoning).
Wine: Beronia Crianza Rioja, Vintage 2007
Price: $12
Purchased: The Wine Source, Baltimore MD
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