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Glorioso Rioja Reserva 2009

Browsing the wine racks at Costco, I came across Glorioso Rioja Reserva 2009.  There were several signs that this would be a great wine to try.  The wine is 6 years old and the label says that it was aged 24 months in French Oak.  The wine has 14.5% alcohol and Wine Spectator has rated it 91 points.  Costco sells this wine for $13.99.  With that knowledge, I bought a bottle but I should have bought several.  I hope there are some left on my next trip.

Rioja is a wine region in northern Spain.  Rioja wines are categorized as Rioja, Rioja Crianza, Rioja Reserva or Rioja Gran Reserva.  In that order, the wines have increasing required aging times.  A Rioja Reserva wine must be aged 3 years with at least one of the years aged in oak.  Gloriosa Rioja Reserva exceeds that criteria and is 100% Tempranillo grapes.

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby red color.  The bouquet has a hint of leather along with the dark berry aroma.  This wine had to aerate about 45 minutes but then had a complex flavor of dark berries with a little red licorice.   The long finish had ample tannins to accompany a roast or steak.  All in all this is a terrific red wine worth more than the Costco price.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points.



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