Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2009: Dark garnet-ruby color; some coffee and bramble on the subdued nose;
black fruits, raspberry, dark plum, balsamic, dark cherry on the palate; two years in oak and three years in bottle make for a refined, extra dry, mature pour with grippy tannin, nice acidity, full body and bold dark fruit flavors; 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano, 5% mazuelo. Decanting is highly recommended, or at least swirl in a big glass for a while. Both Campo Viejo winemakers are women, not first thing you expect in macho Spain. Elena Adell is 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. Texans should note tempranillo is a grape that seems to have found a home on Lone Star soil; Texans can taste the future in this Campo Viejo bottle. $14