2000 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Had this with grilled filet and vegetables, and french lentils for dinner. Tremendous pairing. That said, the 2000 Ardanza is a stunning wine on its own. All finesse and elegance. Spice, red fruit, earth, tobacco, rose petals and orange peel. Burgundian texture. This is the stereotypical old school Rioja. Long on the palate and finish. One can't have enough of this in the cellar.

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

There's little to say about this wine that I have not said before. Had this with friends who cooked lamb for dinner. Best food/wine match ever. The acid and spice in this wine play perfectly with the fattiness and flavor of lamb. On its own, this is a tremendous wine. With lamb, it's a world-beater. It's got pretty blackberry fruit, nice acidity, a touch of dried herbs, and a silky texture. At under $50, this is another wine to buy in large quantity.

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.

2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Just as riveting as the CVNE Imperial Reserva. Lighter on its feet than the Imperial, but incredibly explosive on the palate. Perfect balance, amazing finesse, lovely elegance. Spice, red fruits, earth, dried herbs. This Rioja is simply phenomenal and will last for many more years.

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

Served with herb roasted leg of lamb. Maybe my favorite wine and food pairing in the world. Although the food was outstanding, and although the wine paired well with the food, the wine on its own was simply incredibly tasty. It's a very serious wine that has serious structure, crunchy red and black berry fruit, and a ton of earth, grilled herbs, and a deft touch of American oak. 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Saw American and French oak barrels.

2004 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Fantastic wine. Served with grilled lamb chops tonight. An old school Rioja with medium body, great balance, and equally great pleasure factor. Although this wine was delicious right after pop and pouring, it was equally delicious the second night. Red to black fruit like plum, sour cherry, and blackberry with lots of earth, and a hint of rosemary stem. Lip-smacking acidity and a sappiness that I often like in Burgundy make this wine absolutely delicious with food. This wine would be a fantastic wine at any price, but at the current $22 retail price, this is a stunner of a value as well. I couldn't recommend this more highly. Great winery, great vintage. 85% Tempranillo, and the rest Mazuelo, Garnacha, and Graciano. 13.9% alc. In a mixture of American and French oak barrels for two years and racked every 6 months.

1996 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Just a terrific wine. We drank this with some Spanish-style grilled pork skewers for dinner tonight. Light on its feet, yet massive flavor. Red fruited all the way and earthy, sappy, and loaded with dried herbs, leather and flower petals. Finishes brilliantly and it's one of those wines that enhance the food and create a sensation where drinking a sip of wine makes you want to eat a bite and where eating a bite makes you want to take another sip of wine. Old school, traditional Rioja in the Lopez Heredia style.

2000 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

I was making mint/thyme marinated lamb last night and thought this may be a good wine to pair with it. And it was indeed. Fantastic wine on its own merit with burgundy-like silky texture. Sweet fruit, lip-smacking freshness, solid finish, and earthy tertiary flavors beginning to develop. Just an amazing wine that preformed even better with the lamb than on its own. This could be consumed with dinner, or contemplated over while watching a movie, listening to music or reading a book. A wine for all occasions.

2000 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

What a great wine. Very burgundy-like in its texture, but firmly Rioja in its fruit and style. Has the berry and reductive notes I associate with Rioja. It's super-elegant and with very good freshness. Layered with herbs and fruit on a solid structure. Finish is very good. One of my favorite Roijas so far and a real treat.

1996 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Back to the burgundy-like expression of Rioja. Very nice funky nose right after opening that gets a little more mellow with air. Red fruit, earth, serrano ham, pine cones on the nose. Dancing on the palate with raspberry, plum, and pine forest floor. Great freshness. This was a masterful pairing with flor di sardo and blanco di sardo cheese as well as with italian salumi. The acidity cut right through the fat of the salami and the saltiness of the cheese.

1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

Ruby to carmine red color. Almost port-like nose with some raisins and spices. Medium bodied with great dryness and bracing acidity. Plum and rec currants with some very subtle leather. Finishes long and earthy/leafy. Reminds me a little of good burgundy or recent bottles of Montevertine, but much better than Montevertine...just in a similar style. Will be best for old world fans. New world fans will find this too thin and insipid. This wine is not about the fruit. It's all about texture and tertiary qualities.