February 2015 - Spanish Red Rioja

This was a great theme and I think everyone enjoyed the tasting and found it difficult to rank the top 3 wines of the night. They were all delicious. We had a few wines that did not get any votes, but I don't think we had any bad wines in the bunch. I guess that's why a point or medal system makes sense because then all wines can be ranked without regard to the other wines. But that is not how we do things. There must be a winner.

Our second place wine was an interesting one. While most Rioja's are dominated by the Tempranillo grape, the second place wine was 100% Garnacha from the Alavesa region.

#1 LAN, Crianza, 2010, $15 (17 points)

#2 Fernandez Gomez, 2010, $29 (12 points)

#3 Lan, Reserva, 2007, $19 (7 points)

#4 Ibericos, 2011, $18 (6 points)

#5 Bordon, Crianza, 2009, $13 (5 points)

#6 Marques de Caceres, Crianza, 2010 $17 (tie - 3 points)

#6 Muga, Reserva, 2009, $28 (tie - 3 points)

Other

Marques de Murrieta, Reserva, 2007

Navardia

Marques de Caceres, Crianza, 2010