Gran Reserva Rioja is generally a great choice if you’re looking for a value bottle in top end wine. This region delivers above its price point consistently. The higher classification wines also age effortlessly, and become smooth, complex juice with tobacco, leather and delicate fruit. The Gran Reserva is at the top of the Rioja quality scale, and requires the longest aging time prior to release. Here is one that delivers on all fronts.
2010 Bodegas Muriel Viñas Viejas Gran Reserva – made with fruit from the Alavesa subregion of Rioja, and vines 
averaging 35-40 years old. Fermentation is done in stainless steel. Aging is done in 25% American and 75% French oak for 24 months, followed by 36 months in bottle prior to the wine being released. This wine is only made in superior vintages. Our thoughts:
The wine is ruby colored, and the signs of age are just starting to creep into the rims. This is a good thing in Rioja. On the complex nose you get coffee, cocoa, tobacco, tar, spice and a touch of orange, along with refined plum, raisin and caramel notes. Tannins are moderate and integrated, and the wine is smooth as silk. This is mature and seamless. Really excellent and a classic example of Gran Reserva Rioja. $30
In many other famous wine making areas around the world, something of this quality would be measured in hundreds of dollars. Not so in Rioja, where you can get really world class wines for under $30. This has long been a favorite region of ours.
A votre santé!
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