Bodegas Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2010: Inky ruby color; ripe red fruit, cedar on the nose; red and black fruits, raspberry, plum, cherry on the palate;
18 months in French and American oak and 18 months in bottle make for a refined, extra dry, mature pour with easy going tannin, nice acidity, full body and pleasantly fruity flavors; 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano, 5% mazuelo. Elena Adell is Campo Viejo’s chief winemaker; daughter of a grower, university degree in wine, she says she strives to make gentle, kind wines that make you want another glass during a meal or a conversation with friends. “I adore working with Tempranillo. It’s such a versatile grape. I love seeing the many different ways it can express its character in such a diverse range of wines,” she says on the company’s website. Elena achieves with this effort. It is very approachable, easy drinking, nicely priced. You can find much bigger, more bombastic rioja wines, but not at this easy-on-the-wallet price. Generously distributed, a nice entrée into Spanish reds. $14-15
Campo Viejo website
Second photo: Campo Viejo’s chief winemaker Elena Adell
Third photo: Campo Viejo’s underground barrel aging cellar; most of the winery is underground.
