TN: 2000 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, Rioja)

Picked up a few of these from a local shop blowing them out for $14. Figured it was a good gamble. I think it needs several more years but won’t be a long term Rioja. I’m guessing this was a ripe vintage if anyone knows?

  • 2000 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (6/11/2009)
    Dill pickle American oak notes dominate the nose for the first couple days. Fruit is full and rich on the palate though not huge. This needs a lot of time in my estimation. $14 may need to be 14 years old before it relaxes
    Held onto some over 6 days. Interestingly the oxidation simply made this seem like an aged wine with rich ripe fruits even on the fifth and sixth days open rather than going to way of done. Fruit seems to be trumping the acidity still at this point. Hopefully some relaxing with age will let it shine better.

Posted from CellarTracker

2000 is a riper vintage in Rioja (and most of Europe) in my experience, but not necessarily “overripe” just not as crisp and/or ageworthy as some other vintages (95 or 01 in Rioja, for example).

That was my impression Josh judging from what I know about other areas in 2000 like Piedmont and Douro.