Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Luberri Biga Rioja 2008

Quite an interesting aroma mix: Cinnamon and spearmint with restrained oak initially. Deep red purple. On palate, medium body, soft tannin; finish is fair, short and not as complex as the nose. With air it developed pronounced nuances of licorice and blackberry and spices. I don't understand why the taste doesn't follow the more interesting aromas, but for $17 in Guglhopf (a good Austrian-influenced restaurant in Durham) on Tuesday night with half price wine, it's pretty damn good. I'd give it 88+.

Interestingly Tanzer scores it at 90, and he's usually more conservative than Parker. If I interpret him right, he's saying this wine will better integrate the aroma and palate experiences in a couple more years: (100% tempranillo aged for one year in French and American oak):  Bright ruby-red.  Dried cherry and redcurrant on the pungent nose, with suggestions of cured tobacco, anise and cedar adding complexity.  Juicy and taut on entry, then fleshier in the mid-palate, offering sweet red fruit flavors and a hint of licorice pastille.  Closes on a gently tannic note, with firm grip and lingering spiciness.  This wine drinks well now with some air but will be even better with a couple more years of bottle age

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