Life is too short to drink bad wine

There are many different Riojas around. This one, which just a reserva, is very complex and well priced. It is not really a reserva as it has been no less than six in big barrels and three years in bottle before being released. Lots of dark and dried fruit, leather and hints of earth. Great balance and a long finish. Can be kept 5-10 years for even more subtle flavours. Vina Tondonia Reserva 2005 Rioja Ca 300 kr or 20€

This is a monster of a wine from Rioja in Spain. 100% Tempranillo from low yielding old vines. Malpuesto is a red wine produced by the Orben winery La Rioja, at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria. The Orben winery belongs to the Izadi Group, a group of well-known wineries in Ribera del Duero, Vetus or Toro. Malpuesto is a single varietal Tempranillo from the Malpuesto Finca. The Finca vineyard was planted in 1931 and is today one of the oldest vineyards of La Rioja Alavesa. The name, Malpuesto, comes from the irregular arrangement in which the strains were planted. The farm is located on a hillside and has an area of 1.2 hectares. The soil is sandy and poor, resulting in a low yield yet with high quality. The harvest is done manually in small boxes of 15 kg. Once in the winery, the grapes undergo a strict selection before being placed in vats. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperature and a very gentle pressing is applied before the wine undergoes aging in ba...

I had the 2005 not very long ago so I decided to buy a six pack of the 2006 as there was no more 2005 in the shops. This is the flagship of Muga in Rioja and the 2006 is just as  dark as the 2005 with  a gorgeous smell  of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and wood. The 2006 taste is just as big, solid, and packed with fruit and delicious tannins. Great balance and a very long we'll balanced aftertaste. Stunning dense wine. The wine can be drunk now but can still develop and  mature for at least ten more years. One of the best Riojas that I have ever tasted. A truly great wine!!! Prado Enea 2006 Rioja Ca 30€ or 370kr

This is the flagship of Muga in Rioja. A glorious Gran Reserva made from predominantly Tempranillo (80%) mixed with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. The wine is dark as ink with a gorgeous smell  of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and wood.  Superb stuff. The taste is big, solid, packed with fruit and delicious tannins. Great balance and a very long we'll balanced aftertaste. The wine can be drunk now but can still develop and  mature for at least ten more years. One of the best Riojas that I have ever tasted. A truly great wine!!! Prado Enea 2005 Rioja Ca 30€ or 370kr

The Faustino I Gran reserva is out in the wine shops with the 2001 vintage and let it be said at once; this is good value for money. 80% Tempranillo mixed with Mazuelo and Graciano has given a very decent full bodied Rioja with even longer ageing potential. Dark and red berries on the nose mixed with some dried fruit and even flowers gives a very attractive first impression. The taste is firm with soft tannins, well balanced edging more towards cold fruit than cooked fruit. A very decent Rioja indeed! 15-20€ or 225 NOK.Just buy!It can keep for another 10 years easily. Try with steak or lamb.

This is a very decent red from Rioja based upon 100% Tempranillo. Deep dark red colour and a nice aroma of red fruit with spicy undertones and some oak. Well balanced taste with lots of fruit to cover the smooth tannins. Try with red meat or cheese. Izadi Reserva 2010 Rioja 150 NOK or 10€

100% Tempranillo from Rioja of Reserva quality. Medium red colour with red rim. In your face earthy smell of red fruit, vanilla, chocolate and some spices. Smooth, well balanced and straight forward taste that perhaps lacks complexity. Should go with most types of meat. Iazadi Reserva 2007, Rioja 130 kr or 6€

Mainstream producer but fi you keep the Gran Reseerva long enough you are in for a treat! Seductive vanilla and red fruit flavors and a great balanced full bodied taste. Rioja is lamb wine but when older and the tannins have smoothened it can easily take some less fat food or be drank on its own. Faustino I, Gran Reserva 1999 Rioja Have patience....

Deep dark red colour. This is a wine packed with sweet red berries and vanilla on the nose. Seductive stuff and perfect on windy and snowy days in front of the fireplace. The wine is 11 years old,  but appears to be younger. Low price range which is surprising for a Gran Reserva. Marques de Vitoria 2001, Rioja ca 20€ Lots of seductive berries and vanilla

Had this Spanish white wine during the quarter final in the cup the other day. I was pleasantly surprised both by the wine and the result. This white wine from Rioja is quite refreshing and not too "warm" with a nice acidity and good fruity taste. Straw colour and nice flowery bouqet. The grape is the local white called Viura. Baron de Ley 2010, Rioja, low price 126, surprisingly good value for money

Came across this wine in the local shop. A ten year old wine from a well known producer and at a reasonable price (bottom of the medium range). The wine is typical Rioja made from Tempranillo (80%)  and Garnacha. Brick red colour with typical nose of red berries, oak, vanilla and leather. 30 months in american oak has an impact one could say. The taste is very "kind" with moderate acidity without being "flat" and a warm and dry finish. Vina Ardanza 2001 Reserva, Rioja, Low price 240 or 30$, very nice 10 year old wine