2004 Bodegas Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (2/10/2014)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a few hours –
– Tempranillo & Graciano –
NOSE: quite oaky — sawdust, old timber, and dill pickle; old flowers; expressive; a black cherry licorice aroma emerges a couple hours after opening, and the oak recedes a bit, too.
BODY: violet-garnet color of medium-deep to deep depth; full bodied.
TASTE: very oaky; plush; fine-grained tannins are still a bit drying; touch of heat (14% alc. labeled); decent acidity; non-descript muddled fruits — perhaps raspberry/cherry; hint of prune; a touch sweet; fruit comes forward and the oak recedes somewhat after 2.5 hours open; I’d continue to Hold for a few more years.
B: 50, 5, 11, 15, 6 = (87 pts.)