2001 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

It's hard to describe just how good this wine is. And at less than $50, the value in the bottle is just stunning. What I love most about this wine is that it manages to be supremely elegant, yet it has the stuffing and length that is often only associated with fruit monsters. It's the ultimate old-world wine lovers wine. Earthy and with lots of sappy, crunchy red fruit like sour cherry and red currants, this is pure pleasure in the glass. As always the American oak is subtle yet distinct. I can't recommend this wine highly enough.