Vinos con altas puntuaciones que no cuesten más de 30 dólares (27 euros) en Estados Unidos. Ese ha sido el criterio seguido por Wine Enthusiast Magazine para seleccionar diez tintos de rioja. Una denominación de origen que continúa levantando pasiones entre las publicaciones especializadas de Estados Unidos por la calidad y el precio de sus elaboraciones.
La revista explica que la tempranillo se puede encontrar en otras zonas pero que brilla en los embotellados de Rioja “una de las regiones más históricas y elogiadas del Viejo Mundo, a menudo considerada a la par con las de Francia e Italia”. También hace un recorrido sobre los largos plazos de crianza de cada una de sus categorías (crianza, reserva, gran reserva) para concluir “que eso no significa que cuesten una fortuna”.
La publicación concluye destacando la posibilidad de elegir diez riojas con elevadas puntuaciones (noventa o más) de precio contenido. “Tanto si le gusta un gran reserva bien envejecido como un joven y brillante crianza, lo tenemos”.
Beronia 2010 Gran Reserva (Rioja); $30, 93 points.
Dense plum, berry and spice aromas are compact and full of intensity on the nose. A full, lush and tannic palate has a stout structure, while plum, berry, oak and savory spice flavors finish with vanilla, tobacco and firm tannins. It needs time to reach its peak. Drink this excellent Gran Reserva from a lauded vintage through 2035.
Bodegas Muriel 2010 Viñas Viejas Gran Reserva (Rioja); $30, 92 points Ripe berry, prune and raisin aromas are at the core of a nose that’s also driven by coconut and vanilla accents. A rustic mouthfeel with grippy tannins frames savory, oaky red berry and plum flavors, while tobacco and vanilla notes are corralled by a drying finish. Drink through 2028.
CVNE 2015 Cune Reserva (Rioja); $29, 92 points
Dry, leathery berry and currant aromas include a note of cheesy oak. On the palate, this Reserva from a ripe vintage feels flush, firmly tannic and well built. Black-plum and dark-cherry flavors finish full and with just a hint of oak character. Drink through 2030.
Bodegas Olarra 2015 Cerro Añón Reserva (Rioja); $22, 92 points
Ripe berry and cherry aromas meld with earth, chocolate and leather on the nose. The full-bodied palate is energized by lemon and supportive acidity, with flavors of toast, wood grain and tobacco in addition to plum and berry fruit. The finish is long in spice and cocoa flavors. Editors’ Choice.
Baron De Ley 2015 Reserva (Rioja); $20, 91 points
Earthy, spicy plum and red berry aromas are solid and in harmony. This Reserva shows depth and balance along with ripe berry, cassis, chocolate and brown sugar flavors. On the finish, this is more subtle and smooth than loud. Drink through 2023.
Bodegas Riojanas 2015 Viña Albina Reserva (Rioja); $23, 91 points
A prune aroma softens toasty dark-fruit scents on the nose. This Reserva from a warm vintage is tight and braced by red-fruit acidity. Plum and raspberry flavors are spicy like a fine Rioja should be, while this finishes with integration and a firm texture. Drink through 2025.
Familia Montaña 2016 Crianza (Rioja); $16, 91 points
Ripe berry and cassis aromas come with a hint of pine or spruce. A fleshy palate shows girth balanced by acidity, while this Crianza tastes of black plum and raspberry. On a texturally nice finish, this tastes mostly of spice and chocolate. Drink through 2024.
Bodegas Faustino 2016 Crianza (Rioja); $15, 90 points
Traditional Rioja aromas of red berry fruits, spice and vanilla fill the nose of this Crianza from an excellent vintage. On the palate, it is tight and juicy in spicy plum and currant flavors. Best Buy.
Montecillo 2016 Crianza (Rioja); $11, 90 points
Fresh berry and red plum aromas are lifted by complementary notes of oak grain and vanilla. This value-priced Crianza from a very good year feels flush but primed by punchy acidity. Red plum, berry and a hint of wood spice make for a classic Rioja flavor profile, while this remains tasty and fresh on the finish. Best Buy.
Viña Olabarri 2015 Reserva (Rioja); $22, 90 points.
Cherry and plum aromas are at max ripeness and include a friendly note of vanilla. On the palate, this is choppy but lively. Plum and vanilla flavors are lifted by lemony oak, which offsets a note of raisin brought on by the warm and dry conditions of the 2015 vintage.
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