video review: wine of the week

5th December 2010

Bodegas Muriel Rioja Reserva 2004, Spain
From Rioja Alavesa, the most northerly part of Rioja where the vineyards sit close to the Cantabrian mountains and where wines tend to be a little fresher than further south. This Reserva was aged for 24 months in French and Amrican oak, and has a very appealing mocha and vanilla nose, with a plush plummy fruit quality, but also a savoury, gamey edge that is inviting. On the palate there's plenty more of that chocolate and vanilla smoothness, but the deep-set fruit is plush and mouthfilling in a modern style. The edge of juicy cherry and fine tannins make this an adaptable, delicious and food-friendly wine. Food matching tips in the video. £9.99, Majestic, but buy two at £6.99 each until end January 2011.

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See previous wines of the week in the value archives