Rioja Vega S. A. Winery

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  November 2009

  Rioja Vega Rioja Reserva 2004

  Snoothrank: Starting at $17^.99

  No written review

  Wine review by akladder

  
  
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  October 2009

  Rioja Vega Rioja Crianza 2005

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by remybhatia

  
  

• July 2009

  "the wine pragmatist in me wants good quality wine at a fair price, but the wine snob in me wants the fancy names... " Nothing non-fancy about those names. And if you are going to buy something for someone else, against my sage advice, don't overlook the north Rhones - Hermitage... Read more"the wine pragmatist in me wants good quality wine at a fair price, but the wine snob in me wants the fancy names... " Nothing non-fancy about those names. And if you are going to buy something for someone else, against my sage advice, don't overlook the north Rhones - Hermitage for example, which for centuries was added to the wines from Bordeaux to give them more body, color, and flavor. Now that the blending is out of favor, Hermitage ages quite nicely on its own. For a little less, Cote Rotie. Guigal and Chapoutier make blends and also single-vineyard wines that are good for many many years. Don't overlook Rioja, which has produced wines that age for many years, often longer than Bordeaux. Contino for example, or their parent, C.V.N.E., which makes the Imperial and Vina Real. Lopez di Heredia, which makes a Gran Reserva that ages for decades, Roda, a newer bodega that I believe in, Beronia, and many many more. And from Ribera del Duero, Vega Sicilia, which makes Unico, that is almost eternally young, and for half the price, Valbuena. But 2006 was not a great year in those places, or Bordeaux. It seems to have been best in Italy, particularly Tuscany. Or Piedmont. If you have to buy something from that vintage, that's where I'd look. Or the US - CA or Washington. What's the point of buying a fancy name if it's not a good vintage? I really don't buy into the idea of "fancy names" anyway - get a Dunn Howell Mountain and put it into a blind tasting with most of the wines from Bordeaux. The Dunn is easily good for 21 years too.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Recommendation for a 2006... by GregT

  
  
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  April 2009

  Rioja Vega Rioja Crianza 2005

  Snoothrank:

  smoky but light. drank at ramblas.

  Wine review by nattyjhuff

  
  

• March 2009

  I was joined recently by some fellow winelovers to share a mixed case of ... is worth seeking out. 2007 Rioja Vega 12.5% $8 It was almost unfair putting this light bargain wine in this line-up though it didn’t get as lost as I had feared. Michael found “earth and manure” on... Read moreI was joined recently by some fellow winelovers to share a mixed case of ... is worth seeking out. 2007 Rioja Vega 12.5% $8 It was almost unfair putting this light bargain wine in this line-up though it didn’t get as lost as I had feared. Michael found “earth and manure” on the nose though added that “the palate was completely opposite with lots of light, sour cherry fruit.” Evan also commented on the “ pronounced barnyard quality on the nose” but felt that the “barnyard stinky quality masked the fruit” in the mouth. Karen felt that while this was” slightly vegetal and had a spicy herbaciousness” on the nose It did have “ sour cherry fruit with a slightly medicinal, tinny essence.” This was very simple, acid driven wine with modest, uncomplicated candied raspberry fruit. Flight 2 2006 Castoro Cellars Reserve California 13.2% $20 This wine elicited some strong opinions! Greg started us by saying this was “entirely hateful on the nose smelling off and of really bad winemaking.” His opinion of the palate was no better as he added, “ this is very sweet and very tart and totally flawed in all respects!” Robbin was more generous finding “ black fruit with sweet spices” and “ medium mineral notes and slate flowing into some black plums” and characterized the wine as “drinkable. “ Michael found the nose “ medicinal and cough syrupy” but enjoyed the “casual, easy” palate and it’s “ milk chocolate, candied raspberry surprise!” This was a fruit bomb, sweet and candied in an anonymous kind of way. 2004 Conde de Valdemar Crianza Rioja 13.5% $14 Justin began noting that this had “ a stinky cheese and old wood, varnish of old furniture” nose but was “ very smooth and long from the obvious barrel ageing.” Karen caught some “ cherry cola essence and vegetal notes” on the nose but found the “tart cherries and a bit of oak” on the palate. Even thought the nose had “ a vegetal funk on top of oak” on the nose as well as “ lots of earth and spice in the mouth then lots of wood.” If you’re looking for a particularly oaky Rioja this might be the right time to pop one of these but hopefully some time in the cellar will let the extremely obvious oak integrate. 2006 St. Amant “The Road Less Travelled” Amador Co. 15.4% $18 Michael noted that this was “full of brown sugar and tar and is earthy and ripe. Clearly a very nice wine.” Robbin found similar note of “ black ripe plums and cherries, tar and chocolate” but felt that this wine was “overoaked.” Justin commented on the “ floral and forward nose with cranberry and good minerality” and enjoyed the “ crushed fruits and stone in this big powerful wine. It has Verve.” I was taken aback by the sheer size of this wine but came to terms with it when I realized it’s best approached as a dry port, a very intense dry port. Flight 3 2004 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja 14% $25 Robbin found this to have a “black fruit cherry thing and lifted raspberry” on the nose with “ ripe fruit and fairly balanced oak” on the palate. Evan felt the fruit was “ tarry and raisiny over oak” on the nose and found “lots of wood with some earth and spice and a hint of burnt cherry” on the palate. Greg thought this was “ essentially flavorless, tart and with a really citric sensation on the finish.” In the end it was a fairly classic bottle of Rioja. 2006 Justin Reserve Paso Robles 14.5% $45 Karen caught a “bit of cassis on the nose and a bit of vegetal canned pea” and noted that the palate was “slightly meaty and hot with a spicy finish which I liked.” Michael noted the wine’s “ earthy, tarry, dark fruits” and found “lots of plums, tar, and chocolate” on the palate. Justin found aromas of “cheap perfume”, flavors of “ marzipan and syrupy cola, and was “ not a fan.” This was an inordinately large scaled, heavily oaked, extracted wine that somehow retained impressive complexity and balance. Not a wine I would by but the appeal is undeniable. 2007 Dehesa Gago Toro 14.5% $17 Evan found the nose of this wine “weird with a pear and vanilla thing that did not follow on to the palate. It was really woody and tight with too much oak obscuring the fruit.” Robbin felt this was “too fat” and was also ‘ a little short and hot.” Justin noted that the nose was ‘fairly reserved at first then revealed over-ripe plums. Black licorice and asphalt.” Greg felt this was “ really a ripe wine but it has really nice tannins, especially on the finish.” I loved this wine from its black fruit and spice notes to those cleansing tannins it was an all around pleasure. Flight 4 2004 Castillo LaBastida Crianza Rioja14% $12 This wine enjoyed a flight of it’s own due to corked wines so you could say it was the wine of the flight even if Michael felt that while there was “ a little bit of cherry jam on the nose but this dissipated into nothing.” Robbin found ‘sour cherry and a very faint anisette thing on the nose” with “ bright red fruit” that was “ a little puckery and sour cherry like” on the palate. Adding “ I like it!” Greg thought the nose was “ a little bit soft with not a whole lot going on” but found “ sour cherry and plum on the palate” making this “ really drinkable.” I thought this was a great value in a fairly traditional Rioja style and while it was a bit light it showcased the sweet raspberry fruit of Tempranillo. And that was that. The top three wines of the tasting were: 2007 Dehesa Gago 2006 Garsa Calaveras Co 2006 St. Amant “The Road Less Travelled” Amador Co. Perhaps this line-up a bit unfair to the Spaniards. Next time I’ll try and get a few of the bigger, modern type wines to pit against these Californians but I’m not sure what that might prove. Either that California can beat Spain at it’s own game or that Spain can out California California! Gregory Dal Piaz is the Community Manager at Snooth, an avid Wine Geek with a passion for things Italian, and a long suffering Mets fan.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Snooth PTP -Tempranillo by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  February 2009

  Rioja Vega Young Tempranillo DOC 2007

  Snoothrank:

  Light and gentle on the floral spiced nose with a noticeable edge of ace bandage and a hint of game to the candied raspberry fruit. Bright, easy and fresh in the mouth, though a bit loose across the palate, with simple candied raspberry fruit. Refreshing and simple with a long,... Read moreLight and gentle on the floral spiced nose with a noticeable edge of ace bandage and a hint of game to the candied raspberry fruit. Bright, easy and fresh in the mouth, though a bit loose across the palate, with simple candied raspberry fruit. Refreshing and simple with a long, fruity finish with just a hint of spice 86pts    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  February 2009

  Rioja Vega S. A. Rioja Joven 2006

  Snoothrank:

  Stinky barnyard nose that follows thru into the taste, lots of earth, both obscure the fruit flavors, seemed a bit flabby lacking in both acidity and tannins. A definite pass.

  Wine review by ekw590

  
  

• February 2009

  Rioja Vega Rioja S.A. Joven 2006 http://www.snooth.com/wine/rioja-vega-s-rioja-joven-2006/ COLOR: brightly layered from ruby center to pinkish then to clear rim. NOSE: aromas of black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, red currants, rose petals; subtle eucalyptus, menthol; also hints... Read moreRioja Vega Rioja S.A. Joven 2006 http://www.snooth.com/wine/rioja-vega-s-rioja-joven-2006/ COLOR: brightly layered from ruby center to pinkish then to clear rim. NOSE: aromas of black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, red currants, rose petals; subtle eucalyptus, menthol; also hints of green herbs like oregano and sage; minerality; smoke comes through indicating it was aged in barrels. PALATE: jammy red cherry and raspberry; subtle blackberry, plum, red apple; green herbal notes like thyme; minerality; smoke also comes through in taste. CONCLUSION: nicely balanced drink now type of wine; label says 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha (Grenache), 12.5% alcohol.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Post your Tempranillo GTi... by enjoyfinewines

  
  
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  February 2009

  Rioja Vega S. A. Rioja Joven 2006

  Snoothrank:

  COLOR: brightly layered from ruby center to pinkish then to clear rim. NOSE: aromas of black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, red currants, rose petals; subtle eucalyptus, menthol; also hints of green herbs like oregano and sage; minerality; smoke comes through indicating it was... Read moreCOLOR: brightly layered from ruby center to pinkish then to clear rim. NOSE: aromas of black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, red currants, rose petals; subtle eucalyptus, menthol; also hints of green herbs like oregano and sage; minerality; smoke comes through indicating it was aged in barrels. PALATE: jammy red cherry and raspberry; subtle blackberry, plum, red apple; green herbal notes like thyme; minerality; smoke also comes through in taste. CONCLUSION: nicely balanced drink now type of wine; label says 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha (Grenache), 12.5% alcohol.    (hide)

  Wine review by enjoyfinewines

  
  
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  October 2008

  Rioja Vega S. A. Rioja Crianza 2004

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by oceank8

  
  

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